How to Take Good Baby Pictures at Home

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If you are wanting to learn how to take good baby pictures at home then these 8 points will give you photography tips for beginners so that your newborn pictures look professional. Doing DIY newborn photos at home can be easy with the right camera settings, newborn props and newborn poses.

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If you are a mom with a DSLR camera or even your phone camera then these tips will help you take professional looking pictures of your own baby at home. These are tips I have learned along the way that I hope will help you.

1- Choose a location within your home with good lighting. Good lighting is key in getting a well lit picture. Think about natural light through windows or glass doors. Then face your baby/subject towards the light source. (for example have the baby’s face “looking” out of the window/direction)

2- Plan before your baby is born! If you want special props or outfits begin planning for this before your newborn arrives! This will save you a lot of stress! A fun DIY Newborn Photography Prop – a rope bucket!

Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners

3- Set your aperture wide open (lowest number you can go) so that your background is creamy and out of focus – or as some would say a blurry background. This helps make your subject “pop” and be clear and in focus.

4- Mark your calendar. If you are going to do monthly photos mark your calendar ahead of time and schedule in your baby photoshoot at home! There are so many ideas on the monthly baby photoshoots i.e. a the month stickers, a blanket with the month indicated, or some like to always use the same blanket or a standard white onesie with a different background.

5- Ask for Help. Get help when you do your newborn pictures at home by yourself. You will need an extra helping hand that’s for sure.

DIY Newborn Photos at Home

6- Stay safe. Don’t do any wacky newborn poses that the professionals do. Remember most of that is edited, so keep it real, simple and safe.

7- Include yourself. Don’t be afraid to jump in a picture yourself. Especially if you have #5 there to help you.

8- Get siblings involved. Look for newborn poses and ideas that include siblings and try to create a great shot with everyone.

9- Go outside. If you don’t feel like you have good lighting inside go outside. The best lighting for outdoor newborn pictures is earlier morning or later afternoon/early evening.

10- Print. Don’t let your beautiful baby pictures sit on a computer. Print them out to enjoy them on your walls, in your home and all around you.

11- Don’t forget about the baby details. Take all of the baby detail shots you can get. Those tiny newborn toes, eyelashes and wispy curls. Here areDIY Newborn Photography Prop that every parent should get.

12- Feed the baby. Yes. Feed your baby before doing pictures at home. Everyone is happier with food in their bellies.

13- Don’t rush. If you have to take 3 pictures one day and a few pictures the next that’s not the end of the world. That’s actually the beauty of doing your own baby pictures at home. I love how Lisa Holloway on Clickin’ Moms says to Pace Yourself!

14- Try Different Angles. Don’t be afraid to try different angles when shooting pictures of your newborn. A bit more can be read here at the DIY Newborn Photography Prop

Hi I’m Erin a Southern mama from South Mississippi, owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom a blog helping mom-tographers capture their kiddos and life, talking all things home, parenting and how we navigate through life. You will find me living life to the fullest with my mister (aka husband) and our little one year old, Miss E, in our 500+ sq foot cottage as we build our dream house on our two acres! We are blessed beyond measure, love to travel, involved in ministry at our church and in between all of that I run three successful businesses! Follow me at: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST

How to Take Good Baby Pictures at Home