Taking Your Own Lifestyle Newborn Photographs During Covid-19
First of all, congratulations! This is such a joyful time for you and with everything going on it makes me so sad that I cannot document this moment for you. As a mom myself who brought our baby home from the hospital a little over a year ago, I cannot imagine how hard this season is for you! It’s the best and hardest transition. There is already a lot of pressure figuring out this new life as parents so with all of this added stress, I can only imagine how hard it would be. You deserve the newborn photographs that you imagined! For this reason, I want to help in the best way I know how so I put together a guide for you with some tips and tricks on taking your own quality newborn photographs at home!
VIRTUAL NEWBORN SESSIONS starting at $50
In addition to this blog post, I am also offering Virtual Newborn Sessions! We will set up a 45 minute video call where I can coach you through taking your own newborn photographs! I will give you advice along the way, help you with lighting and settings! This first 45 minutes will be $50 and if you need more time it’ll be $50 for every additional 30 minutes. Lastly, I am also available to edit if you want that final professional touch! Editing will be $50 for 20 fully edited photographs! Essentially you can still have your professionally guided and edited newborn session and for only $100! So grab your camera or phone if you do not have a regular camera and let’s photograph that cute little babe!
Location and Timing - Typically I will photograph in your bedroom, living room or the nursery. Find one of those spaces that has the most natural lighting! I look for soft, natural light and rooms with large windows! Oftentimes mornings between 9-11am work best for lighting as it’s softer and less harsh. This also tends to be a good time for most babies! Pay attention to where the light is best and at what time! It could be different in your house.
Bedroom with a large window off to the side, but they are turned towards the window to light up faces.
This photograph was taken in their Living Room with large window behind me.
What to Wear - Simple onesies photograph best because you can still see their tiny body! Be sure this outfit or blanket works well with yours! If your outfits are more patterned, choose a solid onesie or wrap for baby. If you are wearing a darker color, put baby in something lighter! If you have a headband or a hat keep it small and delicate so that you are not distracting from baby’s face. Usually all neutrals work best for everyone!
Before your Session - Baby’s like it warm so you may need to turn up your heat for a little bit! Feed baby right before the session so they are happy and fed! You may need to feed them in the middle of the session too and that’s ok!
Simple Camera Settings - This could be an entire topic in itself, but if you are very new to using your camera I would recommend setting your camera to auto for simplicity. If you have some experience with camera settings and can photograph manually I typically will leave my aperture wide open between 2.0-2.8 and adjust speed and ISO as needed. If you book a virtual session, I can go a little more in depth with manual settings like how to get that fuzzy background that we all love! We can also troubleshoot any issues that come up!
Photographing Baby - The easiest place to photograph baby is on a bed because it’s big enough so baby won’t roll and you can move around the baby freely getting many angles! *It doesn’t have to be your bedroom. If your guest bedroom gets better lighting then use that room!* If a bed doesn’t work find a well lit space, use your couch or lay down a neutral blanket on the floor! If you use a chair or couch just have someone close by in case baby decides to start rolling! You can photograph baby in your arms as well!
I recommend posing baby on their back, side or stomach. Always turn baby’s head so their face is lit up from the window light! If you need to prop baby up a little more you can place burb cloths or thin wraps under baby’s back or head (just put them under the comforter or blanket to hide them).
I will either angle my camera so that baby’s body is flat (first photograph above) or baby’s head is above their bottom (second photograph above). So baby’s body is at an upward angle. If baby is at a downward angle it’ll look like they are falling or upside down!
If baby is wide awake, roll with it! It’s sweet to see those eyes! You will likely have a lot of arm movement, which personally, I find cute because you may get a fun ninja like pose! The movement doesn’t bother me, but if you want less movement, swaddle your baby tight! If you want baby asleep, feed them and be patient. Keep rocking, soothing, turn on a sound machine or the shusher.
Be sure to photograph all of baby’s tiny details: ears, hands, toes, tummy, nose, hair! Zoom into these spots on your baby like the photographs below. Photograph from straight on and photograph from top down! Be creative and have fun with it! You might surprise yourself!
Photographing Mom/Dad + Baby Individually - Stay in this same spot or find another well lit area and turn yourself towards the window! Make sure baby’s head is up and well lit, not snuggled into your chest where you can’t see them. Gently turn their head so it’s facing outwards. Smile, snuggle, kiss, rub noses! Here are some fun poses and ideas to get inspired by!
Prop baby up high (higher, yes keep going) on your shoulder and have help turning their head away from yours, snuggle and kiss!
Hold baby out with their feet against your belly, put hands under their head. Then try photographing baby’s face from over shoulder
Let baby grip your fingers, zoom in on baby’s tiny hands and fingers!
Photograph close up and then back away to get more of the room
Photograph the in between moments like changing baby’s diaper or outfit, feeding time or rocking in the rocking chair
**TIP! Always photograph from above or straight on. photographing down is the BEST angle for everyone! **
Photographing of Everyone Together! - Find a good spot to set up your camera on a shelf, bring over a side table, etc. and use the self timer mode or if you are on your iphone: iphone self timer. The easiest would be to take these straight on! Again, keep baby’s head turned up and outward towards the light and turn your body’s towards the light as well. Here are some poses to follow and listed are ways to get some variety:
Everyone smiling looking at the camera
Have dad kiss mom on the head as mom looks at baby
Mom and dad kiss over the baby
Have 1 person kiss baby
Everyone smiling at baby
Play together! Don’t be afraid to let siblings be goofy and be themselves!
Include dogs by either having them on the bed with you or walking around your feet
Photograph Siblings with Baby - There are a few poses that are very simple and great for multiple siblings - depending on their ages. Again, I recommend using a bed if you can otherwise a couch or the floor works great as well! Tell them to smile at the camera, smile at baby, rub noses or give kisses on forehead.
All laying down on their backs, heads in close together (a blanket on the floor works great for this!)
Sibling(s) laying on their stomachs behind baby, place baby under their face
Sibling(s) sitting up with baby in their lap
Another fun idea is to have sibling(s) read to baby
Don’t forget to zoom in and get photographs of all of their little hands together!
You can also include 1 parent while the other takes the photograph
If the other siblings are too little to hold baby on their own there are a few things I recommend! You can have them sit on mom or dad’s lap and reach around so you are both holding on to baby together. Another option is to have baby laying on the bed and sibling(s) laying on their stomachs behind baby. They can reach over and give them a hug, kiss baby on their head or play with baby’s fingers! If sibling can hold baby but they may not be able to fully support baby’s head you can put a pillow under their arm behind baby’s head and stay close by. You’ll see these options below!
I know this time is so overwhelming and stressful! Here is a little positive note to leave you with - give yourself permission to put aside your to do lists or that messy room and just be present with your baby. I find myself often getting caught up in having to get everything done and just trying to keep my child busy so I can get things done. I have to remind myself that it’s ok to slow down and just be with him. Build the blocks with him, snuggle and watch the movie with him. As we all know, these moments really do go by so quickly so I encourage you to take a little time everyday and allow yourself to simply be present with your family.
Stay focused on the good and keep hanging in there!