Welcoming a new baby is a joyous occasion for your family. Those first few weeks, months and years are full of so many precious moments you want to capture for a lifetime. A baby photoshoot is the perfect way to document all those treasured memories for you to enjoy again and again. When it comes to capturing baby photos, you can choose to hire a professional for a baby photoshoot, or you can opt to capture those moments yourself. Here we take you through our top tips for achieving your own baby photoshoot at home.
1. Prepare your baby photo ideas
Before you get started, it’s good to have some shots in mind, so you know the end goal you want to achieve. If you’re not sure about the types of baby photos you are after, no problem, sites such as Pinterest or Instagram are full of baby photo ideas. Try searching for types of photos such as baby photos newborn, baby photos funny or baby photos boys. You can then put together a shortlist of your favourite baby photoshoot ideas.
2. Capture newborn baby photos in the first two weeks
Timing is everything! If you’re looking for images capturing the true newborn stage, with the classic wrinkly newborn skin, then aim for the first two weeks. Babies are typically sleepier at this stage too, so try and time your baby photoshoot around nap time. This will help you to feel more relaxed and with a less wriggly baby it will be easier to capture your baby photos.
After two weeks your baby will be more alert, and so potentially fussy, however if you are looking to get baby photos with more eye contact and capture more of your little one’s personality, then we would suggest waiting until they are a couple of months old.
3. Time the light right
When capturing baby photos at home, you should think about when and where gets the most natural light. A north-facing window lets in indirect sunshine that’s not too harsh or glaring, as long as you have daylight, you can use this location at any time of day. You can get similar results by taking your baby photos at the right time of day, for a west-facing window that’s in the morning or an east-facing window in the afternoon.
If you want to take the shoot outside, time it for golden hour. That is the first hour after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset. These times provide optimum shooting conditions for your baby photos, the light is softer and warmer and shadows are longer.
4. Use some baby photo props
Adding a few props to your baby photoshoot can give both a professional and personal feel. Need some ideas on the types of props for baby photos? There are lots of things around the house you can use such as a moses basket, a snuggly blanket or swaddle cloth, sheepskin rugs or their favourite cuddly toy.
If you want to inject some colour and fun into your baby photos, how about adding a colourful head band, or seasonal props such as Christmas stockings or a pumpkin. Another option is to find an adorable costume, a quick google search of baby photos boys or baby photos girl will provide plenty of costume inspiration.
5. Safety first
It goes without saying, safety of your newborn always comes first. Here are a few things to consider when undertaking your baby photoshoot at home. Ensure any props are sturdy and well-built. If you’re shooting from above, ensure you use the camera neck strap or a holder if shooting using a phone, just in case the device slips from your hands.
Babies comfort is also key, this will keep both you and baby relaxed and calm to get the most from your baby photoshoot. Ensure to choose props which won’t irritate delicate newborn skin, use a blanket or swaddle layer between baby and any props, just ensure they are washed in unscented detergent. Warm babies are happy babies, keep the room at an optimum temperature.
6. Get baby photos with the siblings
Baby photos with their older brothers and sisters are always a family favourite. To achieve natural shots it’s best to give their siblings a role. For example, you could ask them to read to their baby brother or sister. If they are a little younger, ask them questions to get them involved, for example can you touch babies’ nose? This will result in more candid shots whilst keeping the older ones occupied and interested – win win!
7. Do your baby photoshoot in stages
Unlike when you hire a professional photographer, a baby photoshoot at home provides the gift of time. Instead of trying to pack all the shots in a couple of hours (between feeds and changing), you can choose to take a few shots at a time over the course of a few days.
This is where your preparation really comes into its own. Be sure to have your shortlist of favourite baby photoshoot ideas to hand so you can tick them off as you go!
There are so many milestones in your babies first twelve months, opting for a baby photoshoot at home allows you to capture your baby’s growth and adventures! Try taking a picture of your little one in the same location or with the same prop once a month. This makes perfect baby photo prints for a baby photo album, scrap book or to share with family and friends.
8. Capture the tiny details
For guaranteed baby photos cute factor, be sure to capture the close-ups. Photos of their tiny toes, little fingers wrapped around one of yours and don’t forget those adorable baby rolls.
9. Showcase your baby photos
You’ve put all the tips into action and your baby photoshoot is complete, now it’s time to create treasured keepsakes! With PostSnap you can take your images from camera roll to real photo prints in a matter of minutes. Whether it’s prints for your baby photo album or photos to fill the frames on your gallery wall, we’re sure to have the baby photo format for you.