Wanting to learn baby photography at home? DIY newborn photos at home can be easy with the right camera settings, newborn props and newborn poses.
If you are a mom with a DSLR camera or even your phone camera then these tips will help you take professional baby pictures of your own little one at home. Sharing with you a few newborn photography tips for beginners that I have learned along the way that I hope will help you.
Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners
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. If you have to open up a front or back door to get great light – do it! It’s so worth it! Once you’ve found the best spot for good lighting Then face your baby 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 newborn props or outfits begin planning for this before your newborn arrives! This will save you a lot of stress! If you don’t have baskets or blankets a fun DIY Newborn Photography Prop – could bet this rope bucket!
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. This takes practice but grab your manual if you have to and figure out how to change your aperture and you’ll be super happy!
4- Mark your calendar. If you are going to do those cute creative baby photos that happen monthly… then 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 and will be less stressful with an extra set of hands for all of those creative baby photo ideas you’ve planned in your mind!
Baby Photography
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. Again with #5 and a second set of hands, that is always a very wise decision! Remember the safety of the baby comes first and fore most.
7- Include yourself. Don’t be afraid to jump in a picture mama! Either set the self timer and play around with that idea or hand off the camera if you’ve set in motion tip #5 of having help on hand. Don’t worry about having the perfect outfit on, the perfect timing, the matching and coordinating clothes, the perfect hair and make- up and sure don’t worry about the baby belly or extra pounds you feel you have. No one will ever care about that years down the road, you’ll care if you’ve got pictures with your sweet little new baby in your arms! Babies don’t stay but baby photography does!!!
8- Get siblings involved. Look for newborn family poses and ideas that you like, take a screenshot and keep them on hand to try. Include siblings and try to create a great shot with everyone included!!!
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- 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! You’ll be happy you didn’t stress yourself out trying to do it all at one time!
13- 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
Don’t forget to check out my entire Guide to Newborn Photography that I can guarantee has all of the answers to your baby photography questions. If you still have questions please feel free to comment below and I’ll be happy to answer those questions the best I can!
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