How to do Newborn Photography at Home - Full Tutorial
Want to get professional looking newborn photography at home? Here’s a great tutorial showing how to create pro baby photography at home with no studio lighting or fancy equipment! We will be doing the photoshoot in a small kitchen using bits of cloth and equipment you can find around the house. The only piece of photographic equipment you may need is a decent lens.
If you want to take great pictures of your newborn or you’re a professional photographer looking to add newborn photography to your portfolio, then this tutorial is for you!
Newborn Photography at home doesn’t have to break the bank!
The first thing to remember in photography, or anything in fact, is that knowledge is power! If you know about photography, you can create good shots all the time, whether that be landscapes, portraits or in this case taking a picture of a newborn at home. So here’s some of the basic principles
Soft lighting is key for Newborn Photography
Taking pictures of newborns with harsh lighting, i.e. flash on camera simply don’t work. Therefore you need to use soft light. This can be done using studio lighting and soft boxes or as in this case we used some net curtains in from of a window. In its simplest terms, when light travels though something, like net curtains or chiffon fabric, it diffuses and the visual effect of this is very soft light that seems to flow over the subject.
So as long as you have a lot of light coming through a window, you can soften it with something like net curtains. To learn more about the effects of light in photography and how to control it, click here.
Creating soft light for newborn photography
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Eliminate shadows for perfect Newborn Photography
When doing photoshoots at home you’re generally using light coming in from windows, this is great for back lighting but not so great for unwanted shadows or silhouettes. To tackle this simply use a reflector to bounce light back into the baby. In the video you will see I use a £20 silver reflector and a piece of polystyrene to bounce light back into the shot.
Using a white reflector to fill shadows
Using a silver reflector to fill shadows
Shallow depth of field for dreamy Newborn shots
That soft blurry background and/or foreground is a look called shallow depth of field. One element in creating this is using a wide aperture. So here we come to the one piece of specific newborn photographic equipment that you may need for the shoot - a lens with a wide aperture. There are some cheaper versions out there so don’t worry and we cover this in our video here.
To learn more about apertures and how to control DOF, click here.
Using a 50mm prime lens will help create a shallow DOF
Test the Newborn photoshoot on a teddy!
The last thing you want is to spend ages setting the scene, your camera, the lighting then you take the shots and it’s not working out. There will be some adjustments to make so test the photoshoot using a teddy or doll first and make adjustments as necessary. This could be moving reflectors, cropping in etc.
Doing photography at home is less predictive than in a studio and the last thing you want is a screaming newborn in your set as your getting the lighting right! Doing a test shoot is essential!
Newborn test shot 1- Too dark
Newborn test shot 2 - Shadows filled with reflected light
Avoid Camera Shake
As mentioned previously, doing photography at home normally relies on natural light rather than flash lighting. Therefore you are likely to get what’s called camera shake if there is not enough natural light available. To avoid this, make sure you do the newborn photoshoot when there is plenty of natural light available, i.e. middle of the day, and keep your shutter speed above 1/125th of a second. Remember babies move and the last thing you want is a blurry newborn!
To learn more about shutter speeds and how to freeze moment in photography, click here.
Handheld camera on newborn shoot - Do not go below 1/125th second
Safety First
Your baby’s safety is the top priority in any newborn photoshoot. In our setup, we used a kitchen table with someone always watching the baby to ensure there was no risk of falling or injury. The photoshoot also took place on a warm summer day to keep the baby comfortable.
It’s common sense, but always double-check that your baby is safe, warm, and secure throughout the shoot.
Other ideas to try for Newborn Photography at Home
Looking for more ways to add variety and creativity to your at-home newborn photoshoots? Here are some unique ideas to try that require minimal props but add a professional touch to your baby photos.
Nest Setup: One simple yet adorable idea is to create a cosy "nest" for your baby. Roll up a soft blanket into a donut shape and drape a decorative scarf or fabric over it. You can then style the setup with flowers, greenery, or other soft accents around the edges to enhance the look. This creates a charming, organic setting that draws attention to the baby in a comforting, natural pose.
Posing in Pots or Baskets: For a creative twist, consider using buckets, plant pots, or woven baskets that are large enough for the baby to fit in safely and comfortably. Make sure the container is padded, so the baby is snug, and add soft blankets or faux fur inside to keep the baby cozy. These types of props can add a rustic, whimsical, or even vintage touch to the photos, depending on the style you're aiming for.
Composite Photography: Another fun technique to try is composite photography, which allows you to create unique poses without compromising safety. For example, you can have one parent hold the baby’s head gently in one part of the frame, and another parent hold the body in another. Later, using editing software, you can merge these two images to create the illusion of the baby holding their head up or resting in a unique pose. This technique requires some editing skills, but it opens creative possibilities while ensuring the baby is always supported.
Swaddling: Swaddling the baby in a cozy scarf or a piece of fabric is a classic newborn photography technique. Not only does it create a soft, comforting look, but it also helps keep the baby calm and snug during the shoot. You can use different colours and textures to complement the scene or go for a neutral look to keep the focus entirely on the baby.
Posing with Parents: Including the parents in the shoot is a timeless way to capture the connection between the family and the newborn. Have the parents pose in front of a natural light source, like a window, for soft, flattering lighting. You can opt for close-up shots of their hands cradling the baby or wider shots that show their faces filled with love and admiration. These photos not only capture the Newborn but also document the emotional bond between parent and child.
Things to remember for you Newborn Photography Photoshoot
When doing a Newborn photoshoot at home, keeping these small yet significant details in mind will help you achieve beautiful, professional results.
Angle Considerations: One of the most common mistakes in Newborn photography is capturing awkward angles. Avoid taking photos from below, especially up at the baby’s nose, which can be unflattering. Instead, focus on photographing from above or at eye level, ensuring the baby’s forehead is not facing directly toward the camera. This provides a more aesthetically pleasing shot while highlighting the baby’s delicate features.
Close-Up Details: Don't forget to capture the little details that make Newborn photography so special. Close-up shots of tiny hands, feet, or even their wispy hair create intimate, heartwarming photos. These detail shots add variety to your photoshoot and give parents treasured memories of the small things they want to remember as their baby grows.
Newborn photography equipment for shooting at home
Here is a list of the equipment we used to take these pictures:
Some fake fur (like a rug)
Some net curtains (can also use chiffon fabric)
Patio doors as our light source
A silver reflector (can use tin foil on a piece of card)
A piece of polystyrene
A good lens (50mm f1.4, approx. £300) or (50mm f1.8, approx. £70-£100) available for Nikon or Canon
And good knowledge of the control of photography!
Also wait until the end of the video for a special appearance by the dog!! 😊
Examples of my Newborn photography taken at home
Newborn photograph taken at home 1 - Settings - f/1.8 - 1/250 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 50mm
Newborn photograph taken at home 2 - Settings - f/1.8 - 1/250 - ISO 100 - Focal Length 50mm
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