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Tips For DIY Newborn Photos

If you’re expecting a baby or your baby has already arrived, you’ll know all too well just how expensive a new little human can be. But just like every new parent, you’ll want to take a gazillion photos of your gorgeous newborn baby to remember those first few weeks. For some parents, newborn photography just isn’t within the budget. Or, maybe they’re just too darn exhausted to contemplate leaving the house. But whatever your situation is, there’s NO reason to miss out on super-cute newborn photos of your little one. Especially if you have The Ultimate Guide to DIY Newborn Photos.

So while your photos may not be as professional as a newborn photographer’s, this Guide to DIY Newborn Photos will give you some tips so you can capture some beautiful photos of your baby on your iPhone or camera.

newborn photo

What You’ll Need For Newborn Photos

Now before you turn into a real-life Anne Geddes, there are a few things you’ll need to grab. All these items are usually found around the house, so you won’t need to venture out to buy anything for your own baby’s photoshoot.

Items You Need

 

DIY newbron Baby photos

Ready? Let’s Begin Your DIY Newborn Baby Photos

Okay, once you’ve gathered up all the items from the list above, it’s time to set up your home baby photoshoot.

It’s easier to set everything up before you start, rather than trying to do it while settling your baby.

Here we go…

Prepare The Room For Your Baby

Now, there’s no point going to all this trouble if the mood for your baby’s photoshoot isn’t perfect.

We all know a baby won’t settle if there’s noise from the neighbour’s mower or the family dog is barking at the door.

Choose a quiet room in your house and preferably one with a big window and lots of available light.

You’ll need lots of natural light to ensure good exposure of your newborn’s photos.

If it’s cold, bring a small heater to warm the room but do not have it too close to your baby.

Alternatively, change your air-conditioner to warm and set it between 24 – 28 degrees. While you may get sweaty, just remember your baby was snug and warm in your tummy for the past 9 months and loves to feel warm.

Set The Mood

There are many baby toys and apps that provide white noise which helps settle your baby.

If you don’t already have one, try downloading the free Baby White Noise app from the Apple Store.

I play this in my studio during newborn sessions to help newborns sleep.

And I can tell you, it works on parents too 🙂

Prepare Your Backdrop

Once your room is organised it’s time to prepare the basket, bed or bowl your baby will lie in.

Now, if you don’t have a basket you can simply use a couple of pillows on the floor or on the bed.

The important thing to remember is, it must be SAFE.

It needs to be steady, secure and able to hold your baby snugly.

If you’re using your bed or pillows on the floor, simply make a bowl-shaped hole with pillows and blankets.

Once you’ve done that, place your chosen blanket over the top.

If you’re using a bowl, make sure it’s on an even floor and in no danger of tipping over.

If you have heat packs or small beanbags, place them in the bottom for extra stability.

Remember…your baby’s safety is the most important during newborn photos.

Get Your Supporting Elements

Now, even though your baby will likely be sleeping, it’s important to make sure your baby is comfortable and supported throughout the photoshoot.

This is where the bath towel and face washers come in.

The best towel is one of those thick and fluffy bath towels as it provides lots of cushioning.

Try rolling it into a long sausage shape like the one below, and use tape to secure it into shape.

Once you’ve secured your towel into a long sausage, place it into your bowl or basket like the picture below.

It’s important to leave a hole in the middle as this is where your baby’s bottom will sit.

Then it’s time to place your chunky knitted blanket over the top.

Be sure to pile it up higher on one side as this will be used as a pillow for baby’s head.

Now, you know all those hundreds of face washers you were given at the baby shower?

This is where they come in handy. The face washers are for propping up baby’s head and baby’s feet once your baby is in position.

Simply hide them under the knitted blanket so they’re out of sight.

Baby photoshoot

Decorate Your Backdrop

There are many ways to decorate your backdrop with items around the home.

Now is the time to get your creativity on.

For example, if you have a little girl do you have fake flowers around the house?

Or better yet, any fresh flowers from the garden or your devoted spouse?

You can use any small items to decorate your baby’s newborn photos from tiny stuffed bears to special blankets.

 

If you have a little boy, you might like to use some pine cones or leaves from outside.

Perhaps baby’s Dad loves cars or golf?

Or, in the example below, has a Mum who’s crazy about cricket.

Try including some of your own personal items like a toy car, Star Wars figurines (yes, I’ve used them LOTS of times) or sporting memorabilia.

There are so many ways to make your baby’s DIY newborn photos special.

newborn photos

Prepare Your Baby

Once your backdrop is ready to go, it’s time to prepare your baby.

As it’s easier to photograph a sleeping baby, schedule your newborn’s photos straight after feed time.

This will ensure your baby is nice and milk drunk and will hopefully, sleep right through.

Now if you want to try your luck with nude baby photos, make sure your baby is dressed in loose clothing prior to the shoot.

That will eliminate all those little lines and marks that a singlet or tight onesie can leave on your baby’s delicate skin.

And don’t forget to have some disposable change pads or cloth nappies nearby to clean up any accidents.

There WILL be puddly accidents, I guarantee.

So, I recommend leaving your baby’s nappy on and wrapping.

Because let’s face it, if you try the nude shoot, you’re going to get pee’d or pooped on.

Or both.

And that means more washing.

Now the wraps you buy in the baby section at Big W or Target are terrible for wrapping.

They have no stretch in them, and your baby will escape in no time.

Look for stretchy scarves or even one-metre pieces of fabric knit from Spotlight.

You’ll need to wrap your baby nice and snug.

And stretchy fabric makes it so much easier to keep your baby’s little hands securely tucked away.

Extra tip.  If you double-wrap your baby you’ll keep them nice and warm and avoid having weird shapes and lines in the fabric.

Just imagine you are putting your baby in his or her very own cocoon.

A baby burrito 🙂

This little guy below was 7 weeks old when he had his newborn photos.

The ideal time is within the first 2 weeks as that’s when your baby is sleepiest.

But this little one is proof that if you know a few tricks, you too can capture gorgeous photos of your baby.

And check out his double-wrapping. He’s in a super-smooth baby cocoon.

Baby Photoshoot

Position Your Baby

Okay, so your baby is fed, milk drunk, double-wrapped and ready to position in the bowl.

Place your baby in the bowl, making sure baby’s head and neck are supported at all times.

You’ll need to position your baby parallel to the window light.

This way the natural light is facing your baby and will eliminate any nasty shadows.

To get the nice squishy pose, this is where the face washers are used.

Fold them into small rectangles and place under baby’s neck so that baby’s chin is touching his or her chest.

Make sure baby’s neck is not in an awkward position and you’re not restricting baby’s airway.

Again, SAFETY is the priority.

You can also place face washers under their bottom to lift the legs.

 

DIY newborn photos

Grab Your Camera – it’s Time For Newborn Photos

Here’s the fun part.

Now, I’m not going into a photography lesson.

I’ll assume everyone is a beginner and you’re simply after better-than-average photos of your newborn.

So, whether you have an iPhone or a digital camera, just stick it in portrait mode. Simple!

Now here are some tips for your DIY newborn photos.

Full frame from above.

newborn photography brisbane

Different angle.

DIY baby photos

Zoom in from above.

newborn photos

Experiment with black and white.

DIY newborn photos

On the bed pose with added elements on a special blanket from Grandma.

DIY newborn photos

The tiny details. Don’t forget them!

DIY newborn photos

Safety For Your DIY Baby Photos

Safety is always a priority and it’s important to remember that all those fancy poses you see on newborn photographer’s websites are often created in Photoshop.

That’s A Wrap

And there you have it.

The ultimate guide to DIY baby photos. I hope you’ve found this helpful and you don’t miss the opportunity to photograph your own newborn baby. And if photography isn’t your thing, relax, because it’s mine. If you’d like to book your baby’s newborn session, drop me a line here to learn more about costs and payment plans, and view my gorgeous range of professional products and artwork.

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