DIY Newborn Photos

At home Photos

I highly recommend having professional newborn photos done, but I understand that’s not always a possibility. In this post, I’ll talk about some ways you can get professional style newborn photos on your own.

Safety always comes first, so I’ll cover what you should not attempt in your DIY newborn photos as well.

Photos are best done within the first two weeks, so you might want to get your supplies ready before you baby arrives. Let’s get started!

Newborn girl asleep on a small bed with a white wrap and a floral headband

DIY Newborn Photo Supplies

You’ll need a few things to get started. Be sure to have all your supplies ready and within arm’s reach before you begin to take pictures. There’s nothing like getting all set up and making sure your baby is comfortable and asleep only to have to get up and start all over again because you forgot something.

Baskets
Stuffed Animals
Blankets
Headbands/Hats
Wipes
Wraps/Greenery

What Items You Should Not Use

Most newborn photographers have gone through extensive training to keep your baby safe during newborn photos. They will know, from experience, when it is safe for your baby to be positioned a certain way or on a specific prop.

For DIY newborn photos, I do not recommend using newborn beds or anything without tall sides and a sturdy base. Newborns can startle easily and when they do, it can be easy for them to fall off a newborn bed or other prop that doesn’t have sides. Use only props like baskets with high sides and a wide base or place your baby flat on the floor.

The basket you see here was purchased at Target and I have added a flat, round ten pound weight to the bottom. Blankets cover the weight so the baby never comes in contact with the metal.

Create the Scene

The first thing you’ll want to do is create your scene. I like to start with a wood floor and a basket. I’ll make sure the basket is parallel to the wood planks and design from there. You want to photograph from above, so don’t worry about the walls or anything that’s you won’t be looking straight down on.

For girls, I might add some greenery and flowers to the base of the basket. For boys, I will likely just keep it to greenery. Fill the basket with soft blankets, having one end raised up so the baby’s bottom will be lower than their head. They will be angled so their head is closer to the camera than any other part of their body.

Have a few props close by such as stuffed animals, hats, bonnets and even different greenery options. This will allow you to create a different scene without moving your baby at all.

newborn girl sleeping in a basket wrapped in pink

Sleepy Baby

The next step is to get your baby to sleep. Before you try to get them to sleep, you need to swaddle them. Solid colors work best for photos, but if you have a swaddle blanket that you love, use it. Swaddle your baby tightly and they’ll be happy. If you’ve swaddled them and they are still fussy, unwrap them and try again. If they aren’t comfortable, they’ll let you know and you can try again.

The goal is to get them into a deep sleep where they won’t wake up when you move them. I usually hold the baby and sway back and forth while standing until the baby’s head is a little wobbly.

Be sure to always keep their head well supported. I just see if there is any muscle use when I move their head just a little. If they are completely relaxed and have a steady breathing rhythm, they are likely ready.

Hats & Headbands

An easy way to get some variety in your pictures without moving your sleeping baby is to add hats, bonnets and headbands. If you’re crafty, you could easily make your own hats and headbands. If that’s not your thing, Etsy is a great source for these items. Just be sure to order “newborn” sized items, not 0-3 months. There is a big difference in size.

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