Before we dive into this post I want to say that these are not tips for those looking to get into professional newborn photography. That would be a much longer list. This post will teach you tricks for getting the best photos you can of YOUR baby. Safety is always the number one concern for newborns, so never take your hands off them as you photograph and always have your baby in a safe place and in a safe position.
With all that said, let’s get into these newborn and baby photo tips. Taking pictures of your newborn can be exciting and it is a great time to take photos because newborns are so sleepy. As your baby grows you will still want to take tons of photos because they change so quickly. These newborn baby photo tips will help you get photos you love.
Actionable newborn and baby photo tips
Tiny details
I don’t know about you, but I seriously can’t resist the little features and details of a newborn. From the tiny fingers and toes to the little skin rolls, they’re just ridiculously precious. Whether your baby was just born or you are photographing throughout the first year, these tiny details will be irresistible. Capture them with your lens. Try getting up close to these features for all the goodness!
Naked, blankets, clothes
You can get lots of different photos of your baby just by changing what they are wearing. Don’t feel like every pose has to be extremely different. You can wrap your baby in a blanket, take photos in their cute little outfits, take naked photos, use accessories like hats or headbands.
Milestone moments
As you think about photographing your newborn and baby, think though the different milestones you will want to document. This might be doing a monthly photo or it may be milestones such as smiling, sitting up, eating, etc. It doesn’t have to be the first time your baby does something. That can be pretty tricky to capture, but as your child starts smiling, take a few photos. You may also want to take a photo the first time your baby meets someone or with a special gift from someone. Each of these moments are milestones in your baby’s growth that will help you document each stage. Don’t let this stress you out. You don’t need to photograph everything. Your baby will grow quickly and it’s okay not to get it all.
Eyes
Eyes tell you so much in a photograph. As you take photos of your baby, focus on the eyes from different angles. This will greatly increase the emotion you feel when you look at the photograph. Eyes naturally draw us into a photograph and help you tell the story of your baby as she grows.
Facial expressions
Babies make the very best expressions. Just watching your baby for a few minutes will give you plenty of opportunity to get several different expressions as your baby tries to figure out his face muscles. Get close ups of these faces as well as getting further away. I guarantee you will get lots of photos you love when you focus on these sweet expressions.
Room, diapers, small details
It is so easy to overlook the little details of your life with a newborn or baby at home. Take time to look around your house and include some of these details in your photographs. You can take pictures of these items on their own or include them in the scene with your baby. The key to documenting your story is to include the small details that make up the bulk of the story.
Documenting your baby at each stage is exciting. I remember when I had my first baby I took every photo I could, but I had no clue how to use my camera and couldn’t ever get my photos to turn out the way I wanted. I never changed my composition or took a new perspective. Although I love looking back at those photos, I am glad I took the time to learn about photography with my next two babies. I hope these newborn and baby photo tips will help you get photos you love. Remember, it’s all about practice. Not every photo will turn out and that’s okay. Keep learning and keep snapping pictures!
What to do now:
Start taking photos of your new little one. Use these newborn and baby photo tips to inspire you to capture each precious stage and have fun being a mama! You can pin this article for later by clicking the Pinterest icon on the side. My goal for you is that you have fun with photography and make it a part of your every day. Tag me on Instagram (@athomewithkidsblog) and show me your favorite photos.
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