Tips to Take Your Own Newborn Photos at Home | Melbourne Newborn Photographer

My heart goes out to all the mamas who are expecting during these challenging times. Your birth plan, hopes, and expectations have all been turned upside down. I am also so sad to have had to postpone meeting some of your new recent arrivals.

I’m hoping I can be back to work soon, and the benefit of a lifestyle newborn session is that they can take place at any age!

But those early days with your baby deserve to be captured too and I don’t want anyone to miss out, which is why I’m sharing few tips to help you take your own newborn photos.  Everything you need you already have: your newborn, some swaddling blankets, a window, and your phone. 

Yes, you can do this!!

Before you grab your camera and your newborn though, it’s important to do a bit of pre-planning. You’ll want to look at the light, decide on the best location in your home, plan your wardrobe, and work out the best time to do your session. Once you’ve planned everything, then it’s time to grab your camera (a phone is perfect!) and your baby, and capture your memories!

LIGHT & LOCATION

Go for a walk around your house and look at the spaces that have the most natural light. Look at the light throughout the day and choose a time when the sun is high in the sky, but not shining directly in with harsh/bright light.

A bed can be the perfect place to take photos of your baby (you’re probably spending a lot of time there anyway!). Beds are usually placed near a window which will give you good natural light and are usually at the perfect height. Typically the best bed is in the master bedroom, but sometimes the best light is in the spare bedroom or your toddler’s room, so make sure you walk through your entire house before choosing the location.

Turn off all overhead lights and lamps, and make sure the flash on your camera is off to avoid mixed lighting. Remember, you want to work in natural light only.

WARDROBE

Keep your wardrobe simple! And don’t overcomplicate things by having multiple outfit changes for you or your baby! You’ll be able to capture a variety of different looks with just one outfit for everyone.

I always recommend that you wear something you love and that you feel great in! Neutral, solid colours and soft fabrics photograph beautifully. Try to compliment each other, but don’t try and match.

For your baby, a plain onesie, and a beautiful swaddle blanket is all you need.

TIMING

Don’t try and do your session the day you come home from the hospital! Give yourself some time to rest, recover and to bond with your baby.

The ideal timeframe for a newborn session is when your baby is between one-two weeks old. When your baby is settled and happy (they don’t need to be asleep) is when you want to do your session!

Also, consider older siblings and their nap and meal times. The last thing you’ll want to deal with when trying to do your session is a grumpy toddler!

COMPOSITION & ANGLES

A fed baby is a happy baby. I recommend you feed your baby, swaddle them up tight either in a onesie or just in a nappy, and then lay them down at a 45-90 degree angle from your light source (window). Their head should be closer to the window and their feet further away.

You can capture several different photos and looks from this one position WITHOUT ever moving your baby, but you’ll need to remember to keep moving. From this one set up, capture your baby from lots of different angles, experiment and move around A LOT, just try to not let your body get between your baby and light source as this will cast shadows. It may be a bit of trial and error to find something you like so get creative, try lots of different things and KEEP MOVING.

Shooting from above is one of my favourite angles (just make sure your camera is secure and won’t accidentally fall on your baby). It’s a really flattering angle for little ones and a great way to capture lots of different expressions (and BONUS, all the clutter in your house disappears this way!).

Try shooting a full shot of your baby, then come in closer and capture just their face. Then a detail. Then move yourself and do it all again from a different position. Don’t rush it! Babies settle into the most beautiful positions all on their own. If you give your baby a few moments, you’ll be able to capture a variety of expressions and movements without adjusting anything.

DETAILS

Don’t forget to come in close to capture all the tiny details! The sweet wrinkles, the tiny feet, fingers, fuzzy hair, belly button, lips, etc.

Again, you can capture all of these details without ever moving your baby. If they are comfy and happy, simply unwrap them from their swaddle (you can even leave it laying underneath them). Now go through your whole series of shooting from different angles again, remembering to capture those details you couldn’t see when they were wrapped up.

PARENTS

I encourage you to get in the photos as well! Take turns with your partner being the photographer so you can both be in the images.

Have one parent hold the baby and stand next to the window. Turn them slightly towards the light and have them hold your baby so baby’s face is in the light as well. You can also do this sitting in a chair next to a window.

SIBLINGS

Siblings that are old enough to hold the baby safely can scoot back against the back of a couch or bed to keep everyone more secure. Make sure one parent is staying close by for safety.

For little ones, try a lying down shot. Have the big sibling lay down first, then place the baby next to them and ask them to cuddle gently.

Try some simple prompts to have them interact with their new baby, “Are your baby’s eyes open or closed?” “Where is the baby’s nose?” “Can you kiss your baby’s nose?” “What colour hair does your baby have?” Is your baby’s hair soft?”

THE WHOLE FAMILY

To capture the whole family, squish in everyone together on your bed. Think of it as a snuggly huddle! Set up your camera using the self timer, get into place, and let your camera do the rest!

Taking your own newborn photos at home may not have been what you were hoping to do, and it won’t be the same as hiring a professional, but I promise you that even capturing just a few images of this fleeting time will be worth it!

This virus is here, and it WILL leave. Your family’s precious memories, however, will remain forever!

If you book in a newborn session now (to take place once it’s safe to do so), I’m offering a complimentary webcam session including five digital images to all clients. I’ll also be available via a video call to help in your planning and answer any questions you have about taking your own photos.

Jenny Rusby is a natural light, lifestyle and documentary photographer and specialised newborn photographer, maternity photographer and family photographer. She services all areas of Victoria, including inner Melbourne suburbs such as Richmond, Northcote, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Malvern East, South Melbourne, Elwood, as well as outer south eastern subrubs, bayside areas such as Morntington, Sorrento and Red Hill. She also services the west of Melbourne and will travel to Geelong on request.