Is It Easier To Take Newborn Photos At Home Or At A Photo Studio
We get this question a lot because expecting moms always think it will be so much easier to just have it done at their home.
But if youve ever been with a mom whos literally only home from the hospital for a few days youd know. Home will look like a war zone.
Things will literally be everywhere. So, the thought of having to clean your home is honestly bananas to us.
Capture The Baby With A Stuffed Animal
DIY newborn photography is incredibly successful if you take some pictures when the baby is sleeping. A relaxed baby is amazing. You can put his/her favorite stuffed animal nearby. When the child is sleeping, it will be easier for you to capture the charming features of the face as the baby will not move too much.
- Check outStuffed Animal and use it as your prop.
Lighting Tips For Newborn Photos
For good portraits you must turn off your flash. Your cameras pop-up flash does more harm than good in most photography situations, so make sure you arent using it when you try to photograph your newborn. Instead, find a good source of natural sunlight, like a large window or glass door, and set up close to it. If you have enough light coming in you wont need either your flash or your overhead lights . If its warm enough you can even set up in your garage with the door up to allow lots of light in. Start paying attention to the light in the room in your house with the largest window. Notice when the room is bright, but you cant see a bright outline of the window on the floor in front of it you want soft light, not harsh light . Thats the time of day when youll have the best light for your newborn photo shoot.
You May Like: How Is Hemophilia Treated In A Newborn
Newborn Photography Tips And Tricks
Here are a few tips to help even the most novice of photographers capture some amazing pictures at home.
46.Beginner Photography Tips on Your Phone Check out these beginner tips for taking better photos using your phone.
47.At-Home Newborn Poses Read through this awesome article before your session for some more at-home newborn poses you can try.
48.Learning to Shoot in Manual Do you have a DSLR camera, but youve never really known how to use it? Learn to shoot in manual with this guide, and your photos will look professional in no time!
49.Step by Step Guide to Newborn Photography This guide has 77 tips for everything you need to make your photo shoot a success.
50.Ultimate DIY Newborn Photoshoot Setup Video Finally, check out this awesome video. She walks you through everything you need to set up a gorgeous set in your home and even talks about posing! This is such a great way to get professional looking photos at home.
And there you have itover 50 newborn photography tips to get you inspired!
Not quite ready for newborn photos? Check out our Maternity Picture Tips and Tricks!
Happy Picture Taking!
Arrange A Studio At Home
For this purpose, bring a camera or a phone, solid-color backdrop, some item for a backdrop to stand steadily , necessary accessories, such as cushions or pillow, blankets, stuffed toys, baskets, a pregnancy pillow or a boppy to locate a newborn, a pacifier, etc. You may also turn on some calm music.
I purchased a flexible backdrop kit with white curtains. Such kits are typically quite affordable and their price ranges from $40 to $10, which depends on the quality. You may encounter a support system for approximately $39 or even a whole kit. Dont forget to bring some cushions or pillows as the newborn wont feel comfortable sleeping on a bare surface without any covering. I picked a cushion for a sofa along with a nursing Boppy pillow. After that, I put a white blanket on top of two pillows.
Recommended Reading: Why Do Newborns Fight Sleep
Less Ideal But Youll Still End Up With Beautiful Photographs: Weeks 6
At this point, whether or not your photoshoot goes as you planned it is pretty up in the air. If you had your heart set on getting the newborn look, at this point, its likely too late.
Most babies will be too large for the props and outfits that a newborn photographer has on hand for these shoots. Typically, a photoshoot during this time will focus on the amazing, beautiful, and sometimes funny facial expressions your darling baby makes.
Schedule Your Session Ahead Of Time
Most photographers will only do newborn sessions when infants are between 5 to 14 days old. Thats a small window of time, so you need to be thinking ahead!
By scheduling in advance, you and your photographer will be prepared for when your baby decides to make its grand entrance.
Also, scheduling your session ahead of time will make it less likely that your photographer will be fully booked when you call. Waiting until the last minute to schedule your session might mean you wont get your preferred photographer, and youll be stuck shopping based on availability instead of finding a professional who fits your preferred style.
A good time to start the booking process is around your second trimester. Reach out to the photographer you want and tell them your due date . Then, once your sweet baby is born, let your photographer know the exciting news, and youll get an exact date for your session.
You May Like: How To Make Newborn Sleepy
Another Good Time To Take Newborn Pictures: Weeks 3
For some babies, it isnt practical or possible to have a professional photoshoot until they are a bit older. If your baby is particularly sensitive to outside stimuli, its likely better to hold off until they are a bit older.
This is, no question, an incredibly busy time in your life. You and your family are adjusting to the presence of a new little one, and time can fly by quickly. If you werent able to capture the newborn pictures you were hoping for during the first few weeks of life, there is still an opportunity during the third to fifth week to have an adorable photoshoot.
During this time, preemies and twins will typically still act and look like newborns between the ages of 3 weeks and 5 weeks. Even if your baby was full-term, this can be a wonderful window of time to get photos taken. They will still be easy to pose and flexible, though probably a little chubbier.
Depending on your babys individual growth, its possible they will be too big and too awake for certain poses or specific props. They also might not be interested in being wrapped or swaddled, which can be some of the most adorable newborn baby shots.
Expirement With Angles And Perspectives
Instead of rushing to change your setup or reposition your baby, try getting up and walking around your baby to see what unique angles you can photograph. Try walking behind your baby and shoot some pictures from the shadowed side you may end up with an image that you love! Exhaust all of your different angles and perspectives before moving on to a new pose or setup. This is an easy way to get variety out of a single pose.
Gabriel didnt move an inch between these two shots, but look how different they are! The first was taken from the front as a nice close-up of his sweet little face and hands. In the second image, I walked around behind him, loved how the lighting looked, and took another picture from that angle. It ended up being one of my favorites!
Create beautiful, clean backdrops anywhere and hold them in place with these little clamps. Whether you are using a roll of paper, a muslin backdrop, or a simple blanket, these clamps will keep it from moving, wrinkling, and falling away by holding it to your backdrop stand.
Recommended Reading: When To Give Newborn Bath
Tip #: Pretty Bedding
It’s so nice to have beautiful bedding for a shoot that also creates a pretty, clean-canvas type of backdrop to lay baby on, not only for newborn photos but also for everyday photos you’ll want to take as baby grows. We bought this bedding for Lyla’s newborns and I’m still so obsessed with it that we used it again for Millie’s newborns too. SO soft and comfy, literally my favorite bedding we’ve ever owned. We bought this brand new bedding for Harry’s shoot and as a side note, it’s a really nice treat when you’re spending so much time in bed suddenly with recovery!
I really like white bedding for a newborn shoot, but anything that’s a solid color I think is a really nice blank canvas.
Be Careful With Your Props
From around three months of age, babies start to grab things. Then these things often end up in their mouths its just a way they have to discover the world.
Because of that, you should never use newborn props that can be toxic or small enough to get swollen. Remember that your number one priority should be the babys safety during the photoshoot.
Also Check: How To Find Out My Newborn Social Security Number
When To Take Newborn Photos
Written by Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Mar 18, 2020
The day has come and your sweet baby boy or girl is finally here! After youve settled in at home with your little one, the next step in announcing your babys birth is taking newborn photos to share your joy. Loved ones and friends are looking forward to seeing the newest addition to your family and nothing makes a better statement than sending out photo birth announcements. Among many other items on your baby-at-home checklist, we have you covered with suggested time frames on when to take newborn photos below.
How Old Is Too Old For A Baby To Get Newborn Photos
Ideally, parents schedule a newborn photo session during the second- or early third-trimester to get on the photographers calendar, and Weeks 1 through 8 of newborn life are optimal for capturing the essence of teensy-tiny babies. If I’m totally honest, pre-Week 6 is even better the majority of my best sleeping poses were taken around week 5 or prior. Then again, some 2-week old babies cry through the entire session you just never know what youre going to get.
So, from a theoretical perspective, its never too late to schedule a professional photography session for older infants and young toddlers. Realistically, though, every stage of a babys life brings different considerations into the mix.
Rather than looking at your newborn or infant photography session from a, how late is too late? angle, its best to view prospective sessions through the lens of what does each week- or Month- bring to the experience?
Recommended Reading: How To Relieve Constipation In Newborns
What Are Good Newborn Photo Props
You. Your baby. Your partner. Siblings.
Nothing else, we have a firm belief that simple is always better. Too much stuff distracts from your newborn which is what you ultimately care about.
When you look back on these images in 20 years, you will care that they have that same smile or the same little freckle. You will care how little their fingers were.
You wont care about the theme or the balloons or the background.
Thats why we believe in clean, simple backgrounds that are timeless.
Ok so now that my philosophy is out of the way, lets chat logistics.
An expert in newborn photography will have a bean bag or the likes that is a soft place to pose the baby. Some are on the floor and some are on tables .
They will also have props specifically designed for newborns bowls, baskets, etc. These are specially made for newborns to ensure they are the right size.
An expert newborn photographer will also utilize weighted bags to ensure the props are just right for your babys weight and size. Bottom line, work with an expert. They have what they need. You should only need to show up.
Tip 6 Get Creative Props For Your Newborn Photos
Creative props can be the difference between a professional photo and an amateur one. Newborn props dont have to be expensive and you can find most of what you need at home or a local crafts stores. Other recommended locations are Beautiful Photo Props and Etsy. For ideas, consider incorporating the parents hobbies, their culture, their favorite colors, or their overall personalities. We came up with the concept below for Ellie because her mother used to live in Paris. For more inspiration and to see how this scene was shot, please see our Newborn Photography Workshop.
You May Like: Is Similac Pro Advance Good For Newborns
The Best Age For Newborn Photos: 7
If you are interested in getting professional baby photos of your newborn, you will definitely want to book this session before your baby has been born. This way, you can be sure that you have an appointment with your favorite photographer during this brief window of time.
When newborns are this young, they have more predictable sleeping schedules, enjoy tighter swaddling, and are more flexible. The newborn pictures youve likely seen online are often of babies in this womb-like state, which makes them the ideal candidate for beautiful, swaddled shots.
This is also typically when your babys skin will be the softest and clearest, as it is common for newborns to develop baby acne around week three.
Can We Incorporate Other Family Members In The Newborn Shoot
Of course! Your other family members are a critical part of this time in your life, and you may want to include them alongside your little one. We have several poses and images that can help capture all the members of your little family during this amazing time.
Newborn photography is an amazing way to capture an incredibly important milestone in the life of your family. You want newborn photos that will turn into heirlooms: stunning photos that will stand the test of time and help you share your story with your family for generations. At SteinArtStudio, were here to turn your newborn photography dreams into reality. Contact us today to schedule a session or to ask any questions you have about how we will handle your newborns photoshoot.
Don’t Miss: How To Take Care Of Newborn Baby Girl
Newborn Photography Ideas To Try Yourself
If you are seeking inspiration, look no further. As photographers, we are always trying to create unique content. This comes from original photoshoot concepts.
This doesnt mean that looking at and copying other images isnt a good place to start. It will act as training until you find your own feet.
Check out these newborn baby photography ideas to get inspired.
What Are The Best Outfits For New Moms To Wear To Their Newborn Photo Shoot
Your body just grew a human and most of us dont bounce back in a day. So, dont try.
Honestly, dont try to get back into your pre-maternity jeans. Just dont. Wear your maternity jeans, they will look amazing because you will simply be glowing.
And since you are going to an expert, they will know all the most amazing angles for a new mom. For example, one of our favorite poses is mom draped around dad or a close crop of you snuggling your new love.
Dont wear black, it isnt slimming. Did I just totally blow your mind?
Its true, unless you have a lot of very black hair, dont wear black it will look harsh. Wear thick fabrics with structure and think about lots of texture. We also recommend soft neutral colors it lets your baby be the star.
Read Also: How Much Should A Newborn Weigh
Edit Baby Pictures For The Best Results
Once you are finished snapping the photos, editing helps create polished newborn portraits. Use a photo editor to adjust the exposure, colors, sharpness, and contrast.
The red and orange luminance slider is helpful for newborn skin tones. The healing and cloning brush can eliminate newborn acne.
The key to editing newborn photos is balance. Retouching baby acne is fine, but keep details that will grow with the child, like a birthmark, intact.
With newborn photography, avoid over softening the skin and spending too much time editing the details that are already perfect on a brand new baby.
Ensure Your Babys Safety
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST ENSURE YOUR BABYS SAFETY during a photoshoot. Any time you are taking pictures of a baby, you MUST have another adult acting as a spotter that stands near the baby at all times. Any backdrops that you use must be secured. Do not try any poses that arent safe, and when trying any poses I may describe, ensure another adult is within arms reach of the baby AT ALL TIMES. You are responsible for ensuring the safety of your children or anyone else you photograph.
Recommended Reading: How Much Are Newborn Photos
Where Possible Babies Younger Than 14 Days
Typically, we recommend scheduling your newborn baby photo shoot about 10 days after your due date. Once bub is born we then lock in a date and time for your newborn session.
7 to 10 days is our ideal age for a newborn portrait session as babies this age are pretty chilled, sleep most of the time and curl up easily in those gorgeous poses. While newborn smiles are not conscious yet, as new babies fall asleep they tend to grimace and pull faces that look just like a grin! Once bub hits two weeks old they tend to be more alert, and outgrow that fragile newborn look.
This age is great for capturing snuggles with parents, photos of baby feeding and close up shots of babys eyelashes, lips and feet. It’s also a wonderful time to capture some beautiful photos of baby with their siblings.
A de lumière photographer will come to you at home for your newborn baby photo shoot, this means that even if your bub is a little older than two weeks, we can still achieve gorgeous portraits. We blend a mix of lifestyle photography with a newborn portrait session, so we cater for all ages of babies.
If you have your heart set on those gorgeous curled up shots, then capturing baby within the first 14 days are imperative.