How to Photograph Your Newborn Baby During a Pandemic {or any other time}

Bringing home your newborn is such a precious and joyous time. It’s also a time that goes by way too quickly. Your baby is growing and changing daily and you want to remember it as much as possible. During this pandemic, professional photos may be out of the question. I have put together some tips so that you can document your sweet little one like a pro: 

1.    Find the best light in your house. A bedroom with large windows with natural light is ideal. Position your baby so that he or she is facing the light. Stand with the light behind you (but make sure you aren’t blocking it or casting a shadow on baby as you photograph him or her). 

2.  Swaddle your baby. You don’t have to be a pro at swaddling; however, you do want to make sure his or her arms are snuggly tucked in and any excess swaddle material is tucked behind baby. 

3.  Make sure he or she is well fed before attempting any photos! If you miss this step, the whole shoot may be off. Feed your baby and begin again! 

4.    Keep the temperature in the room warm. Turn the A/C off or use a space heater if needed. Your baby will be easier to photograph if he or she isn’t cold. No matter what – always keep your baby safe. 

5.  Place your baby on fabrics with interesting textures. Fuzzy, soft materials are comfortable for baby and also photograph well. 

6.    Have several outfit choices picked out ahead of time. Babies make messes (usually at the most inconvenient times- so have several outfits and diapers ready to go to reduce your stress during the shoot). 

7.    Photograph your baby from different angles. Photograph him or her from above, from the side, and position her on her side. Pay attention to how the light looks on baby and try to avoid harsh shadows. 

8.    Adjust your camera so you are using a wide aperture (this will allow for lots of background blur).  Pay attention to all the details of your little one’s face in the photo. 

9.    Your baby doesn’t have to be sleeping! If he or she is awake make sure baby’s eyes are in focus. 

10.    Photograph details! Document those tiny hands, tiny feet, tiny nose and tiny lips! 

11.    Make some images black and white! Add strong contrast and grain in your editing process. You can easily do this by using Adobe Lightroom on the computer or Snapseed on your phone.  

12.    Use props (or Daddy’s hands!) to show how relatively tiny your little one is! They grow so quickly it’s hard to remember them this small. 

13.    Make sure you are in some photos! Afterall your hard work, Mom and Dad belong in the newborn photos! Use a tripod and put your camera on a timer.

14.    This goes without saying but I have to mention it anyway– Make sure you are ALWAYS paying attention to your baby. NEVER put your baby in an unsafe situation for a photograph. 

15.    It’s not always easy! Try not to get frustrated if they don’t turn out exactly how you envisioned at first… Professional photographers have spent hours and hours perfecting their craft. If you don’t like what you’ve captured initially, keep working on it!