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Planning to DIY your baby photos and need the top tips on how to take your own newborn photos? Check out my post below, featuring my best advice on how to capture this special season of yours and your baby’s life!
Capturing your newborn’s first days is one of the most meaningful things you can do as a new parent—and it doesn’t require a professional photographer. With a little preparation, some thoughtful touches, and your phone’s camera, you can take stunning, heartfelt photos of your baby that you’ll treasure forever.
To help you turn this idea into a reality, I’ve created a beginner-friendly guide on how to take your own newborn photos at home—no fancy equipment required!
01. Timing is Everything
Newborns change quickly, so the best time to capture those tiny, squishy details is within the first couple of weeks after birth. During this window, babies are still curled up from the womb, sleepy, and less fussy—perfect for calm and natural newborn photos.
Don’t try to take all of your photos in one sitting. Spread your sessions out over several days to reduce stress, ensure you can take your time to get things right, and capture a variety of poses, lighting, and moods. Aim for shorter, relaxed photo sessions, about 15 to 30 minutes at a time, to keep both you and baby comfortable.
If possible, try to take photos when your baby is sleeping or just about to drift off. This helps avoid crankiness and makes it easier to pose them gently without disturbing them. A sleepy baby is also less likely to move and cause blurry shots!
02. Light it Right
Great lighting is one of the most important aspects of beautiful baby photos! Aim for bright, natural light for a soft, organic feel. Of course, natural sunlight is the best source.
Choose a north or south-facing window for the best chance at getting consistent natural light. Make sure you turn off all sources of artificial lighting and open all the blinds and curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible.
If the sunlight is too harsh, use a sheer curtain or thin white sheet to softly diffuse it. And avoid using the flash on your phone as it can startle your baby and create unwanted shadows.
03. Prep Your Space & Props
Prep as much as you can before you start shooting! Create a cozy, warm, and safe space in a room that gets good light. Choose simple, neutral pieces for the background to ensure the focus stays on your baby. Soft whites, creamy tones, and light grays are perfect here.
You can also go for a layered look with linens, blankets, and baskets—and even use stuffed animals as props, ensuring you only add them right before the photos and remove them as soon as you’re done to keep your little one safe.
Gather your props in advance and store them in a basket or bin that you can easily access. Some of my favorite props to add include swaddling blankets, stuffed animals, neutral onesies, and comfy headbands or hats.
Always ensure that all your props are safe, clean, and comfortable for your baby!
04. Use Safe & Simple Poses
Skip complex poses and opt for simple, tried-and-true poses instead. Newborn photography should always prioritize safety and comfort above all else.
Try these natural and easy pose ideas:
- Baby lying on their back on a soft blanket or bed.
- Baby snuggled in a bassinet or basket with plenty of soft padding.
- Parent holding baby in their arms (capture this shot from over the shoulder or from the side).
- Sibling holding baby while seated or lying down (with supervision—for small children, have them simply lie safely next to the baby rather than hold them).
If your baby starts to fuss or wiggle too much, take a break and try again later. Don’t force any position that doesn’t feel natural.
05. Master the Angles & Focus
The right angles can make or break your photos. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- For face shots, shoot from above the baby’s head, looking down. This is the most flattering angle and avoids distortion.
- For full-body shots, get down to the baby’s level and shoot from the side.
- Use portrait mode on your phone, if available—this will blur the background slightly and draw attention to your baby.
- Always tap your phone screen to focus the camera on your baby’s face (or any other detail you want to highlight, like toes or hands).
- Clean your phone camera lens before starting—a quick wipe can make a huge difference in how your photos turn out.
Don’t be afraid to play around and try different angles to find the best one!
06. Don’t Forget the Tiny Details
Some of the most precious newborn photos are the close-up shots: tiny toes, fingers, ears, scrunched-up legs, and soft, fuzzy baby hair. Capture these details by getting in close, filling the frame, and shooting from different angles.
Try to also snap shots of special little moments. A relaxed sleeping face, tiny yawns and stretches, your hand holding their teeny foot, or an up-close side profile of their beautiful face.
These quiet, everyday moments often become your favorite images later on.
07. Take Plenty of Photos
The beauty of digital photography is that you can take as many photos as you want! Don’t be afraid to snap tons of pictures, all from different angles, showing different expressions, and more.
It’s better to have more than you need than not enough. There will always be plenty of photos you choose to get rid of because they’re blurry or out of focus.
08. Do a Final Edit
Once you’ve taken your photos, spend a little extra time editing to bring out the warmth and softness of your shots.
You can edit on your own, use built-in phone editing options, use preset filters, or invest a small amount into an editing app. But remember that less is more, so avoid over-editing. Focus on enhancing your photos while keeping them natural.
Bonus Tips to Make the Most of Your Session
- Keep your baby warm and well-fed before the shoot to help them stay sleepy and relaxed.
- Dress your baby in simple, neutral outfits (avoid busy patterns and logos) for a timeless look.
- If your baby starts to cry or wake up, pause and soothe them—there’s no rush!
- Consider capturing behind-the-scenes moments—such as Mom and Dad getting the baby ready, a sibling cuddle session, etc.
- Invest in a simple tripod to easily capture shots of both parents with the baby or the whole family. Alternatively, enlist the help of a friend or family member to snap these shots.
- Let the session be led by your baby’s mood, not a checklist or schedule.
Final Words
With a little preparation and plenty of patience, you can capture stunning, heartfelt newborn photos from the comfort of home. These early days go so quickly, so take the time to savor and preserve them, one photo at a time!
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