During these unprecedented times, I wanted to share some tips for Newborn Pictures to Take at Home. Lifestyle newborn photography sessions are about the love and connection between you, your baby and your family. They are about preserving the precious details of those first few weeks at home. And I believe with my whole heart, that it is now more important than ever to take time to document your family and get in the frame. Whether it is with a camera or a cell phone, these are moments are worth capturing.
Good news. As long as you have a room with a window in your home, you have good natural light. If your family is directly facing the window (ie, looking outside), the light that falls across all of your subjects will be fairly even and there won’t be a lot of contrast between shadows and highlights. If you want to add a little more dimension to your image, consider setting your family up at an angle to the window. And although I love backlighting outdoors, inside it can pose more of a challenge. If you must put your subjects directly in front of a window, it can be more difficult to grab focus. Look for creative ways to use different angles, and have your subjects look down at the baby or each other.
Finally, if you want a reason to shower and get dressed for the day, here are some tips I always share with my newborn clients about what to wear: For your newborn baby, a simple onesie, swaddle, or even the look of a diaper with a neutral diaper cover, photograph well. You and your partner (and any siblings) should be comfortable in your clothes, too. Choose outfits that are light and casual. Start with one outfit you love and pull colors from your inspiration piece that are complementary and the same color intensity. It’s ok to mix patterns and solids, too. For your lifestyle newborn session, neutral colors (grey, blue, cream) photograph well, vs. bright vibrant colors (red, orange, yellow) which can leave a color cast on the baby’s skin when you are snuggling.
Everyone in the Frame
Set up a self-timer on your phone or camera, and get everyone in the frame. Find a room in your house that has good natural light. Pile everyone on the bed together, cozy up in the nursery, or snuggle together on the couch. Don’t feel pressured to have everyone smiling and looking at the camera, especially if you have older siblings. If it’s just you, your partner, and the baby, then love on that baby and love on each other. With siblings, one of my tricks is to direct everyone to look at big brother/big sister, then everyone look at baby, then everyone look at mom, etc. Take A LOT of pictures. This isn’t about perfection, this is about everyone getting in the frame together. Get close to each other, and think about where your hands are placed, so that everyone in the frame is connected with each other.
.jpg)
Mom with Baby
Mom, it is so important that you get in the frame now, too. Ask your partner to take pictures of you and baby together from a “selfie angle.” Baby can be resting on your chest, or you can lay on your bed or couch with the baby. Other ideas are pictures of you rocking the baby in the nursery, or watching over the baby in the crib. If you are nursing, I highly recommend you letting your partner take some images of you and baby during this special bonding time.
.jpg)
Dad with Baby
I don’t know what it is, but so many dad’s feel most comfortable holding baby like a football. It also puts into perspective how tiny baby is. Make sure to get close up detail shots of baby in dad’s hands, as well as pull back shots of dad looking at the baby. Let dad pick a room in the house where he is comfortable, whether that’s relaxing on the couch, or in his office.
.jpg)
Siblings with Baby
Make big brother/big sister feel important, and pick a time of day that works best with their schedule to try an attempt some sibling shots. If it doesn’t work the first time, it’s ok to try again later. If the sibling is old enough, you can set them up on the couch or chair to hold the baby. Ask them questions about the baby to foster interaction and connection. “Where are baby’s toes? Where is baby’s hand? What color are baby’s eyes?” Another idea is to have the sibling and the baby lay next to each other on the floor or a bed.
.jpg)
Crib Shot
Most babies don’t actually sleep in their crib for the first few weeks, but these are always fun shots to take. Lay baby in the crib, awake or asleep, and take pictures at different angles. I am always amazed at how tiny babies look when you take a crib shot from above. It’s also fun to have this perspective as they grow. Take pictures through the crib railings, and you can even get some detail shots of baby’s sweet little features while they are in the crib.
.jpg)
Baby Alone
The funny thing about babies, is even though they can’t go anywhere, they are always moving and making different expressions. Capturing a baby yawn is absolutely priceless. Also think about getting detail shots of baby’s toes, hands, eyelashes, lips, belly button, etc.
.jpg)
Newborn Pictures to Take at Home | Lifestyle Newborn Photography
Welcome to Colorado Lifestyle Photography. I am Kristin Christian, a wife, mama, and lifestyle photographer living in Colorado. Newborn sessions are more than a just photo shoot. Through the use of vibrant colors and emotive imagery, I focus on the moment first, giving you uninterrupted time to simply enjoy your new family during those precious first weeks. I am committed to capturing authentic connections and finding joy in the tiny details, all while creating a relaxed and stress-free experience. Please CONTACT ME for more information about planning your maternity and newborn sessions. Colorado Lifestyle Photography serves Boulder, Denver, Breckenridge, Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon area families.
