For more newborn photography tips and tutorials, please see our Newborn Photography Workshop, a full guide to baby and newborn photography, teaching posing, lighting, planning, and post production for newborn photography.

Tip 1. Safety First for Newborn Photography

Safety should always come first when it comes to newborn and baby photography. The list can get quite extensive for tips on newborn safety, but in general, use your common sense. Here are a few general rules to follow:

• Never bring in any hard or sharp objects as props.
• Never place your newborn on high or unsteady surfaces without a spotter.
• Realize that some of your favorite photos of newborns are actually composites.
• Monitor the temperature of the room, especially if you’re using heat lamps
• Keep the heat lamps at a safe distance from the newborn
• For other general newborn safety tips, see this article on The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Parents

Below is an example of a composite newborn photograph.

So any time you see a picture of a baby hanging from a branch or resting on a basketball or in any other precarious position, understand that the images should not be attempted without proper safety and composite techniques for newborn photography.  For a full tutorial, see this article on Newborn Composite Tips | A Case Study for Photographers.

Tip 2. Don’t Focus on the Camera Gear for Newborn Photography

You should be able to get amazing newborn and baby photography results with almost any camera and lens if you simply learn the proper lighting, creativity, and camera angles for newborn photography. Though a professional camera like a Canon 5K Mark III, a full frame camera, will give you better overall image quality than an advanced point and shoot camera like a Sony NEX, a camera like the Sony NEX will likely be sufficient for capturing great images of newborns. Below is a quick side-by-side showing images from the two cameras mentioned above with the Canon 5D Mark III image on the left and the Sony NEX image on the right.

Tip 3. Keep Your Newborn Comfortable

In newborn photography, you are generally going for two looks, peacefully sleeping or awake and happy. If the baby is uncomfortable, you run the risk of him or her being fussy, potentially crying, and overall causing a difficult time for everyone involved in the shoot. Consider wearing gloves if your hands are cold. Use heating pads, and consider space heaters if the room is not nice and warm.

Regulate the Temperature In Your Photography Studio

Keep in mind that newborn babies have spent the last nine months in the womb. The womb is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, so babies tend to be at their most relaxed in a warm room. I set my studio’s heater to about 80 degrees, which seems to be the most comfortable temperature for newborns. Plus, this temp will keep their skin nice and peachy, while they could get blotchy patches if they’re too cold.

Amp Up the Ambient Sound and White Noise

Newborns are inundated with noise during their nine months in gestation. Not only do they hear their mother’s heartbeat, they tune into her blood flow, digestive system, and her voice! While you don’t want to play loud music during your newborn photo sessions, you might try plugging in a white noise machine (you can download white noise apps on iTunes) or a heartbeat monitor to recreate the baby’s time in the womb.

Other Baby Comfort Tips

• Feed & burp baby to keep them comfortable & sleepy
• Swaddle or wrap the baby
• Rock the baby gently
• Use a soft, soothing voice
• Keep your hands warm as cold hands are startling

Tip 4. Select the Right Timeframe for Newborn Photography

Your magic window for Newborn Photography is within the first 14 days of birth. Newborns are easiest to work with during this time because they are sleeping for most of the day. They are also the most easy to adjust during this time-frame. Consider taking your baby’s photos after his or her umbilical cord has fallen off (which is typically after 5 days or so).  For more information, see the article on The Best Time To Do a Newborn Photoshoot.

Tip 5. Get Your Basic Poses First for Newborn Photography

Being creative is a large part of being a newborn photographer, but so is making sure you get the basic, must-have shots. You should always start with the basics and move towards the more advanced photos just in case the baby gets too fussy and you have to call off the shoot. Below are some of the basic shots you should get before introducing complex, time-consuming, and difficult photographs.  For more information, see our article on newborn poses.

The Back Pose for Babies

The Side Pose for Babies

The Tummy Pose for Babies

The Small Details

Tip 6. Get Creative Props for Your Newborn Photos

Creative props can be the difference between a professional photo and an amateur one. Newborn props don’t have to be expensive and you can find most of what you need at home or a local crafts stores. Other recommended locations are Beautiful Photo Props and Etsy. For ideas, consider incorporating the parents’ hobbies, their culture, their favorite colors, or their overall personalities. We came up with the concept below for Ellie because her mother used to live in Paris.  For more information, see this article on Newborn Photography Props and Ideas.

Other tips for newborn props:

• Consider colorful hats, headbands, wraps, swaddles
• Show how small baby is with baskets & bowls
• Consider props based on parents’ hobbies/interests

Tip 7. Use Color Coordination in your Scenes

We recommend planning your scenes using the website Kuler by Adobe. On there you’ll be able to find complementary and analogous color combinations that work well together. Being able to see the colors together visually prior to going out and looking for the props and backdrops will save you hours. On Kuler we arranged the pink and yellow combination you see in the left image below prior to searching for actual newborn props and accessories.

Tip 8. Use Window Light and reflectors for Newborn Photography

You certainly don’t need to get too fancy with the lighting. All you need is a large window for your main light and a Westcott 5 in 1 Reflector to help fill in some of your shadows. Below is a screenshot of the setup we often use.

Image Copyright Line and Roots Photography

Tip 9. Be Flexible and Work With Your Newborn

Your newborn baby has his or her own schedule. When they get fussy, be sure to take your time and wait it out. Sometimes you’ll spend 3-4 hours on a shoot with the baby crying the entire time and finally, in the last 20 minutes, you’ll get everything you need. It’s not going to be easy and be sure to plan sufficient time or the shoot. Your shoot duration will vary depending on the number of wardrobe changes and scene setups, but in general be flexible. If you’re doing this professionally, consider charging per session, per image, or per scene rather than charging per hour.

Tip 10. Learn Newborn Photography Editing

Your post production for newborn photography will generally be more light and airy than other types of photography. Consider using fades, tasteful black and white effects. Also consider brushing up on advanced Photoshop techniques like Frequency Separation and other advanced retouching techniques.

Note: If you’re new to Photoshop and/or Lightroom, you can also consider outsourcing your post-production and retouching to companies that specialize in editing newborn photos.

Part 2 of our Newborn Photography Workshop covers post production and includes newborn photography presets.

6 Safe and Easy Newborn Photography Tips Video

To review and visualize some of these tips, see this video by Pye.

Conclusion

Though newborn photography may seem daunting at first, it’s like any other form of photography in that the more you practice the better you become. Take your time, be patient, and don’t second guess yourself. With the proper planning and research, some creative and personalized props, in addition to careful and safety-first execution, you should come away with at least a few good images on which to build your foundation. For more newborn photography tips and tutorials, please see our Newborn Photography Workshop, a full guide to baby and newborn photography, teaching posing, lighting, planning, and post production for newborn photography.

Remember, photographing newborns represents only one many opportunities in family photography. Many families hire photographers to shoot cake smash photos (for the baby’s one-year-old birthday celebration), holiday cards, graduations, and so on. Adding relevant services for clients will give you a reason to keep in touch with the family and ultimately lead to increased revenue over time.

Article was last updated March 10, 2023

Newborn Photoshoot Ideas & Inspiration

The following article will cover the following newborn photoshoot ideas:

1. Photographing Birth Pictures: Fresh 48
2. Use Props with Meaning
3. Create an Elaborate Set Design
4. Choose a Color Scheme
5. Include Parents, Siblings & Furry Friends
6. Get in Close
7. Perfect Your Swaddle
8. Try Using a Basket or a Bench
9. Find the Moments In Between
10. Invest in a Backdrop

Idea 1 – Photograph Birth Pictures

This one is for all the mom’s and dad’s out there that want to get unforgettable birth photos of your child. This session is often referred to as the “Fresh 48” and usually happens 24-48 hours within labor. It’s an incredibly powerful set of images that tell the story of life entering this world and the strength of women during the delivery process. Follow the tips in the video to learn about gear, settings, lighting, and editing these images!

Idea 2 – Add Props with Meaning

Using props for baby photos isn’t anything novel and is one of the easiest ways to jazz up any newborn photoshoot. This has become a very popular trend because of the rise of social media and baby announcements.

Although props are a classic newborn photoshoot idea, try incorporating props that have some meaning to the family. It’s worth spending a few minutes discussing with the baby’s parents what is important to them and coming up with a game plan on what props would work best.  Here are some ideas to incorporate in your newborn props:

• Props that represent the parents’ universities
• Props that represent the parents’ hobbies
• Props that represent the parents’ careers
• Props that represent the parents’ core values
• Props that symbolize family
• Props that honor relatives

Idea 3. Create an Elaborate or Fun Set Design

This is heavily inspired by Caroline Tran’s incredible baby photoshoots she did with her kids when they were younger. This is your chance to get those creative gears running to use what you’ve got to set the scene. In the video above video, I used a towel, blanket, and some cotton balls to create little clouds around our newborn, Josie. I love how this came out and the best part is… it was all shot at home in our living room! Super easy to achieve and an inexpensive newborn baby photoshoot idea.

Idea 4. Choose a Color Scheme

Using complementary colors or choosing a monochromatic look can make for an outstanding newborn baby photoshoot idea. Take a look at the color wheel for more inspiration on what colors work well together and then discuss with your clients to make sure they’re on board!

Idea 5. Include Parents, Siblings & Furry Friends

Other than the fact that this is absolutely adorable,  it’s often an overlooked aspect of newborn photoshoot ideas. We do such a detailed job to make sure we get all types of portraits of newborns but sometimes we forget to include the VIPs of the family! Take a moment to capture the new bundle of joy with furry family members (and non-furry ones too).

Idea 6. Get in Close

Often when I glance through catalogs of newborn sessions I find that the most commonly missed shots are the close-up photos of the baby. I’m not talking about just their face, but of their little toes and fingers too! Remember, parents never get to see their baby this small ever again, and capturing every bit of their cute mannerisms and attributes is something they will cherish forever.

Idea 7. Perfect Your Swaddle

Swaddling is Newborn Photography 101. From the origination of the newborn photography niche, taking photos of babies in a swaddle blanket has been a popular newborn pose and photo. It’s actually one of the most important concepts in our list of Newborn Photography Tips because of how common of a request it is for a newborn baby photoshoot idea.

Idea 8. Try Using a Basket or a Bench

Now that you’ve perfected the swaddle, time to start styling! One of the first accessories newborn photographers purchase is an object to place the baby in or on. The key to nailing this newborn baby photoshoot idea is having an assistant or a parent help hold and mold the baby into the desired pose and position on the object. Once you’ve got the shot set up have your assistant quickly remove their hand and then quickly capture the moment and have them replace their hand.

Idea 9. Find the Moments In Between

Coming from a background of photographing weddings and looking for candid moments throughout the day has prepared me well for anticipating when a moment is about to happen. However, nothing can prepare you for the random spurts of laughter or smiles of a newborn. After all, they’re just figuring out life and they’ve only been here for a few days… that’s a lot of pressure. Always have your trigger finger ready to capture the moments in between all the posing to make sure you get shots like the one above.

Idea 10. Invest in a Backdrop

Along with getting some props to create a scene, another necessary accessory is purchasing a backdrop. You can find them online for a low cost and the one I am using in this tutorial is by Backdrops by Ethan Alex. This is a small detail that will take your newborn baby photos to the next level. The best part is that since your subject is so small, you don’t need a huge backdrop.

I hope these newborn baby photoshoot ideas spark some inspiration and hopefully, you’ll be able to try out a few on your next shoot! If you’re looking for more tips on settings, gear, and safety tips for photographing newborns make sure you check out our Premium membership to gain access to our full course!

Video Tips for Newborn Photography Timing

We have a quick two minute tip for you on when is the best time to schedule a newborn session and why. Check out the video or read the article below to learn more.  The following information is from our Newborn Photography Workshop inside of SLR Lounge Premium.

Why do The Newborn Shoot Within the First 14 days of birth

Newborns are easiest to work with within the first 14 days of being born. During this period, they are sleeping the majority of the time, and this makes it very easy to get them into poses without causing them too much discomfort.

In addition, because the newborn hasn’t been out of the womb for a long period, they are typically more “malleable” for lack of a better word. Essentially, from being scrunched up in the womb, they are more flexible, making it easier to move from pose to pose without causing any discomfort.  Of course, be sure to still follow best newborn safety practices, as detailed in this article for first time parents.

Also, keep in mind that these tips are general “rules of thumb,” and every newborn is unique and different.   For example, some may be jaundiced for several weeks while others may not have any. Some may have flakey skin, but no baby acne. Point being, if you can catch newborns within this window (whether it be 5, 10 or 14 days), the shoots generally go smoother and require less work in photo editing. Communicate with mom and see when she thinks would be the ideal time for her newborn as each case can differ.

If you plan a newborn shoot within the first 14 days keep in mind that the mom may still be recovering, so unless she’s feeling up to it be sure to let her relax during the shoot.

3 Reasons to Shoot Within the First 5 Days of Magic

The 5 days of magic is the most ideal time to shoot because it gives mom some time to rest, and the baby’s skin is in the best condition. In general, the best window during the first 14 days to shoot newborn photos is between 5-10 days after birth. Sometimes the window may be more towards the 2-week mark, but generally, our 5 days of magic are going to be within 1-2 weeks of birth.  This period is often referred to as the 5 days of magic for the following three reasons:

1. No Umbilical Cord

After 5-7 days there is a good chance that the newborn’s umbilical cord will have fallen off, so you won’t have to compromise poses to try to hide the cord. However, in general, it can take anywhere between 1-3 weeks for the stump to fall off, so if it hasn’t, then you may want to Photoshop out any unpleasant bits of dried blood or scabs in the stump that aren’t concealed by the pose. Here, Ellie is right around 10 days and her stump has been off for several days already, but don’t freak out if your newborn still has her stump, it is normal.

2. No (or Less) Jaundice and Acne

During that magic window, the baby should be doing quite well and hopefully is mostly clear of any early set Jaundice. Again, this is a general rule, and circumstances will vary. Also, within that first 2 weeks, the baby should also be mostly clear of any baby acne which typically occurs 2 weeks after birth and can last a few months. Because of that shooting in this time window can save you a lot of time tweaking the colors to correct skin tones or spending unnecessary time fixing blemishes.

3. Mom Recovered

Can you imagine giving birth and then having to go home to a photo shoot? Being a guy, it’s tough to imagine, but I can sympathize. Shooting at least 5 days after childbirth gives mom some time to recover. Newborn shoots are tiring and can take hours, and when you leave the mom still has the newborn to take care of. Make sure to be considerate of the time you’re shooting in, and the mother will appreciate it immensely.

Best Time of Day for Newborn Photography

Now that we’ve reviewed the best days after birth to do a newborn shoot, let’s discuss the best time of day for newborn photography.  In short, mornings are often the best time for newborn photography because newborns tend to be more relaxed, less fussy and more likely to sleep.  However, every newborn is different, so it’s critical to discuss with the parents to understand the newborn’s feeding and sleeping cycle.  Ideally, the newborn shoot is timed so that it coincides with their nap schedule, after they are well fed.  This can be in the morning or the afternoon.

Conclusion

So in conclusion, you can shoot newborn photos up to 8 weeks after birth. But we recommend shooting within the first 14 days, and if you can help it, within 5-10 days of birth.  Try to align the shoot with the baby’s nap schedule, which is often in the morning time, but can vary.  For more information, see our article on newborn photography tips.

In previous articles, we provided you with higher level newborn photography tips, but for this article, we’re going to get more specific and dive into a full start-to-finish example of a newborn photography composite. We’ll also include general tips for photographing newborns to help ensure your newborn photography session goes well.

Newborn Composite Tips and Ideas for Photographers

1. What Is a Composite Photo?
2. Gear and Props Used
3. Prepping the Props
4. Photographing the Props and the Newborn
5. Creating the Newborn Composite in Post
6. General Newborn Photography Tips

What Is a Composite Photo?

A composite photo consists of two or more images that have been blended together for creative and practical purposes. Photo editing software like Photoshop makes this possible and allows photographers to capture impossible (or otherwise dangerous) photos with relative ease, all while keeping the subject safe. Newborn composite photos typically involve a baby striking an impossible pose or resting in a dangerous location, such as in a basket suspended by wires under a thin tree branch. So long as you keep the baby safe, your newborn composite will only be limited by your imagination.

Gear and Props Used in This Newborn Composite

Let’s start with a quick overview of the gear and props we used to make this composite happen.

• Camera: Canon R
• Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
• Lighting: Profoto B10 AirTTL (+2 Profoto A1 Units to Bounce Light in the Room)
• Light Modification: Profoto Octa Softbox for the B10
• Calumet Oyster Paper Background
• Branch and Florals from Michaels
• Rope from Michaels
• Hanging Basket (Pet Hammock) from Home Goods
• Wraps
• Posing Aids
• Shushers

Prepping the Props

Now that we’ve collected our props, we need to put them together to build the scene. For this shot, we secured the branch decorations with wire and hung the basket from the branch with wire as well. We used the rope that you see in the photo as a decoration only. As you’ll discover in the editing portion, the rope is not really holding up the basket. Finally, we cut the netting off of an Ikea kid’s bed canopy and incorporated it into the scene.

Photographing the Props and the Newborn

Once our props are in place, we have to plan for the newborn composite. This requires careful and consistent placement of the props and baby in relation to the camera. Here’s how we photographed each element for this particular composite.

Angles

We had to make sure that the shooting angle would be the same for both shots, including the branch and basket setup as well as the baby in the basket. We photographed the basket straight-on for both shots to make it easy to align the two files in Photoshop.

Lighting

We used the same lighting pattern for both shots: Loop lighting. Loop lighting is a portrait lighting pattern in which we position the light 45-degrees in front of and above our subject. In a typical headshot, this pattern creates a nose shadow that ‘loops’ down at an angle onto the subject’s cheek.

Wrapping and Posing

Once we wrapped the baby, we gently rocked her to sleep while holding her in a side pose. My assistant, Kris Shaw, and I then worked together to position the baby in the basket. During this part of the shoot, always properly support your newborn. We placed several posing aids underneath the fabric to keep her in position. My assistant kept her hands on the baby until the baby completely settled and fell sound asleep. At that point in time, we captured a couple of shots. You can see my assistant on the right of the frame within arm’s length of the baby. She remained there while I captured the photos.

Creating the Newborn Composite in Photoshop

Once we’ve captured the photos of the props and the baby, we can create the composite. The editing process in Photoshop can be broken down into three basic steps, including 1) cut and paste 2) resize/position, and 3) mask. Here’s a closer look at how to edit a composite for newborn photography.

(The instructions below are minimal and assume you have a basic understanding of how to use Photoshop.)

Cloning and Spot Healing

I used the clone tool and spot healing brush to clean up the original branch so that you can’t see any of the wires or the stools holding up the branch. This file will now be used as the master for all future sessions.

Merging the Photos

Rather than merge the two photos entirely, I used the Elliptical Marquee Tool to quickly select an area around the whole basket from the baby session and drag it over to the branch file. You can use other tools like the Pen Tool (for more accuracy) or even the Magnetic Lasso Tool (with less accuracy) to remove the basket & baby, but I prefer to use a layer mask to clean up the piece that I cut out. I’ll explain why below.

Setting the Opacity

I set the opacity at about 50% to overlay the baby basket to the empty basket to do the resizing and get it all lined up.

Using a Layer Mask

Next, I used a layer mask and a brush to remove all of the extra areas I didn’t need. I really just needed the baby with the blanket, but having the whole basket for the sizing makes lining it up much easier.

Retouching the Baby

I went through the image again and added some final retouches to the baby, and that’s it!

Final Image of Newborn Composite

General Tips for Photographing Newborns

You can, of course, dive much deeper into the art of photographing newborns, but I wanted to include a few general tips that I use regularly, including when I created this shot. They are as follows:

Safety

We’re part “baby whisperers,” but we always put safety first and never push too far to get a shot. The whole purpose behind creating a composite in newborn photography centers on keeping the newborn safe. If you believe the pose or shot you’re going for will in any way put the baby at risk, either consider creating a composite or flat out do not go for the shot.

Behavioral Cues

It’s a must that you get used to reading the baby’s cues: Is the baby hungry? Is he/she rooting? Do they have reflux or gas? Do they need to poop? Is their tummy full? Are they hot or cold? Do they feel secure? Know the answer to these questions and respond accordingly. Your session will go more smoothly and your images will come out much better.

Posing

We always have a plan for the poses we want to capture, but our sessions don’t always go according to plan. In fact, babies regularly keep us guessing and choosing new directions throughout the shoot. It really comes down to this: how the baby feels will determine the wraps and poses we do. The baby has to be completely asleep to do the more difficult poses.

Posing Accessories

It’s great to have several posing pillows, towels, a bean bag & backdrop frame, and other accessories on hand, too. We tend to “stuff” the small pillows and towels underneath the blanket (and under the baby) until the baby is securely and comfortably posed.

Room Temperature

I recommend that you keep the room dim and warm. We use space heaters and heating pads, which should never directly touch the baby.

Ambiance

We play ambient music in the background and utilize newborn shushers as well. We also have a yoga ball that we sit on while rocking the baby to sleep.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these newborn composite tips and ideas for photographers. We can use composites to push our creativity, elevate our portraits, and keep our newborn subjects safe. I can’t stress enough how important their safety is. You can practice many newborn techniques, including those above, with a doll or other object in advance. This will allow you to worry less about the technical aspects during the shoot and focus instead on keeping the baby safe and pushing the limits of your creativity.

Newborn Photography Gear and Accessory Guide

1. Cameras
2. Lenses
3. Photographic Accessories
4. Newborn Accessories
5. Recommended Posing Tools & Props

How Much Newborn Photography Gear Do We Need?

When it comes to camera gear, just about any modern digital camera within your budget is capable for capturing beautiful newborn images. In fact, you can actually get through an entire newborn session with only one camera and 1-2 lenses. Because we typically photograph newborns between 7-14 days old, they do not move around much. As a result, we don’t need some of the sophisticated features offered in higher end gear. Although advanced pro functions like state-of-the-art AF tracking and high burst rate are not as critical in newborn photography as they would be within other fields, however, we still recommend getting gear you can grow with, so long as the budget allows.

Much of our newborn photography gear, like lighting and props, can be improvised on location with open windows and available furniture, blankets, etc. To help you develop a specialized arsenal of newborn gear, however, we’ll share our favorite tools and accessories.  However, keep in mind that your gear is less important than the other factors and skills like newborn comfort, creative newborn props, creative ideas, and newborn posing.

Cameras

Whether you opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera with either a crop-sensor or full-frame sensor, the biggest determining factor will probably come down to cost. You’ll find that full-frame camera bodies typically cost more than crop-sensor cameras. Even within full-frame cameras, for example, price points vary based on available features and functionality. If you’re curious about the technical difference between these two types of cameras and how each sensor type will affect your photography, check out this article we wrote on the subject.

At the end of the day, you won’t need the latest and greatest camera body for newborn photography, but I would recommend getting the best you can afford. If you want a camera to use for also shooting other genres in a professional capacity, such as weddings, that’s all the more reason to go for a model with more bells & whistles. Just remember that you probably won’t use the majority of the advanced functions, however, when photographing (mostly) sleeping babies. Instead, you’ll likely spend more of your money on lenses.

If you want to check out our other camera recommendations, you can read our other photography gear guide.

DSLR Camera for Newborn Photography

Canon 5D Mark IV
As a full-frame DSLR the Canon 5D Mark IV is a great piece of newborn photography gear because of how well it performs indoors and when shooting with higher ISO. Its 30.4 MP full-frame sensor produces ample detail and the 61 AF Point Selection system will help ensure your newborn photos are tack-sharp. On top of its other features, the dual memory card slots (1 CF card and 1 SD card) gives you instant, redundant backups to keep your files safe. You can also use the camera’s wifi-capabilities to instantly load an image to your phone, apply a quick preset in LR Mobile, and share teasers with your clients on the spot.

Nikon D850
This camera’s reputation as a high quality, go-to workhorse for a variety of photography genres is well-earned. As  you can seen in our review of the camera, we consider this to be one of the last of the DSLR titans. The D850’s 153 AF points (vs. the 5D Mark IV’s 61) will allow you to lock in focus pretty much anywhere in the frame, and its 45.7 MP full-frame sensor produces images with extraordinary picture quality. As a photographer, you will definitely have room to grow with this camera, whether you plan to stick to newborn sessions or take on a host of other genres.

Mirrorless Camera for Newborn Photography

Canon EOS R
If you already own a DSLR and are looking to jump into the mirrorless game, this is as good a camera as any to do it with. If you already have an arsenal of DSLR lenses, you can purchase an adapter to save yourself from having to reinvest in new glass. Speaking of investments, the EOS R boasts the same 30.4 MP full-frame sensor as the 5D Mark IV, but it’s less expensive, which will no doubt appeal to your wallet. In addition, like all mirrorless cameras, the EOS R’s absence of shutter noise makes this a quieter option to use around sleeping newborns, a factor you’ll appreciate if you’ve ever woken a baby with noisy shutter clicks on a DSLR.

Nikon Z6 II
Although newer to mirrorless world, Nikon has wasted no time in creating quality, affordable mirrorless cameras. The Z6 II, which we’ve reviewed in depth, has been touted for the high quality images it is capable of producing as well as for its user friendly design. This camera’s dual card slots, incredible in-body stabilization, autofocus capabilities, and more make it a great newborn photography camera as well as nearly perfect mirrorless camera overall, and all for under $2k.

Sony Alpha a7 III
This camera packs all the punch you need from a newborn photography camera. In fact, you can use this camera with confidence across multiple genres. As a mirrorless, it’s lighter than most DSLR cameras, it’s rated very well for low noise at higher ISO settings, and it features image stabilization, which pretty much always comes in handy. This isn’t the newest or oldest Sony mirrorless out there, but it still holds its own and strikes a nice balance between price and functionality.

Lenses

As for lenses, because a newborn is generally not moving around too much (which we mentioned above), we usually recommend using prime lenses and macro lenses. Primes can produce higher image quality and shallower depth of field than zoom lenses. For each lens & focal length listed below, you can find other makes and models at different price points. These three represent our go-to’s, which we’ve arranged here in order of focal length, from widest to tightest.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
With an effective focal length of 35mm on full-frame cameras and 56mm on APS-C (crop-sensor) cameras, this fast and versatile lens delivers amazing detail with plenty of dreamy bokeh. The wider focal length works well for shooting in tighter spaces or just capturing more of the environment. You might be tempted to take advantage of its minimum focusing distance (the shortest in its class at .28m), but I recommend backing off the subject a bit and keeping them centered in the frame to minimize lens distortion, which is commonly found when shooting closer up at wider focal lengths.

See also:

• Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens for Canon EF
• Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S NIKKOR
• Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L
The Canon 50mm f/1.2L prime lens is one of Canon’s most versatile professional prime lenses. With a very bright maximum aperture of f/1.2, you can easily create very shallow depth of field with soft and buttery backgrounds that help separate the subject from the background and give that “cinematic” or professional look.

See also:

• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Lens for Canon EF
• Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR
• Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master Lens

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens
Because newborn photography can involve close up details of tiny hands and feet, it is also a good idea to invest in a macro lens. The Canon Macro 100mm f/2.8L not only provides excellent images throughout its aperture range, but it also has Image Stabilization (IS) to minimize camera shake.

See also:

• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro Lens for Canon EF
• Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR Lens
• Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

Photographic Accessories

When it comes to lighting for newborn, you really don’t need much more than a very nice window light. Although you can use studio strobes, we generally do not use strobes for newborns because they can be extra sensitive to the flashes. Instead, we prefer to use soft (and free) window light.

The good news is that this means that you really do not need to invest in a lot of photographic accessories. In fact, the only really “must-have” item on our list is the pop-up reflector.

Wescott 301 Photo Basics 40” 5-in-1 Reflector
A pop-up reflector such as the Wescott 301 Photo Basics 40” 5-in-1 reflector is very useful when it comes to working with natural light. It is very cost effective and easy to carry around when folded up. We typically use the semi-translucent white interior fabric to diffuse the light and also the white cover to bounce a fill light and open up the shadows.

Light Stand and Reflector Holder
Although it is preferable to have an assistant hold your reflector for you, there may be times where you will be working by yourself. This is where a light stand and a reflector holder are useful to have. The reflector holder simply attaches to the light stand and then holds the pop-up reflector in place.

Just be sure to weigh down the light stand with either a sand bag or something similar that way it does not tip over.

Backdrop Stand
We love working with a variety of patterned cloths to textured faux-wood backdrops for our shoots. With a backdrop stand, you simply clamp one end of the backdrop vertically unto the cross beam of a backdrop stand and lay the other half of the backdrop on the floor.

And if you are planning on doing a lot of newborn shoots, there really is no reason to not have a backdrop stand to easily and quickly set up a backdrop wherever you like.

Clamps
Clamps are super cheap and will allow you to affix any type of cloth to your backdrop support stand. We recommend having 4-6 clamps with you. You can pick these up from a local hardware store, as well as from Amazon.

Newborn Accessories

Here is a short list of accessories that come in extremely handy during newborn photography sessions. They will not only help your shoot run smoother, but more importantly they will keep the mess to a minimum.

Baby Wipes
A box of baby wipes is not a recommendation, but a must have. When it comes to having newborns around, it is not “if” they make a mess, but “when,” so be sure to have the wipes within arm’s reach during the shoot.

Puppy Pads
When posing for nude baby shots, we will often use the puppy pad under our newborn up until that last moment that we are ready to shoot. You can imagine how much mess it will help catch and prevent.

In addition, whenever you are posing the newborn over layers of cloth, it is always a good idea to place a puppy pad underneath the first layer. That way if the baby does have an accident, then only one layer of cloth will be affected as the puppy pad will prevent it from soaking through multiple layers.

Hand Sanitizer
Newborns are very prone to catching colds and doctors even encourage parents to keep the newborn away from public places for 6-8 weeks. So, it is important you and your assistant keep yourselves clean and sanitized throughout the shoot.

Periodically stop to wash your hands, and use hand sanitizer to kill bacteria each time prior to handling the newborn. One important note is to make sure you get “hypoallergenic” hand sanitizer that is scent-free as newborns have very sensitive skin.

Space Heater
Keeping a newborn warm is one of the most important parts of your shoot. In addition to the dangers of getting sick, your newborn will be unhappy and unwilling to sleep and pose if he or she is too cold. While turning up the heat in the entire room is an option, it can make everyone else in the room uncomfortable.

So if you are frequently shooting newborns, you are better off getting a space heater that can keep the newborn posing area comfortably warm.

Heating Pads
In addition to a space heater, we typically use a heating pad below the blanket that the newborn is resting on. It is also a good idea to have 1 or 2 heating pads on hand to keep the posing area warm. Again, just like the space heater, after you set up the heating pads, be sure to test it out to make sure that it isn’t too warm for the baby’s skin.

We generally leave the heating pad on the lowest setting as a newborn’s skin can burn easily, and it is better to err on the side of cool/warm as opposed to warm/hot. Also, be sure to keep the heating pad underneath the padded cloth layers and never in direct contact with the baby’s skin.

Cotton or Microfiber Gloves
For those of you that have cold or clammy hands during a shoot, we highly recommend that you get a set of cotton or microfiber gloves. Nike’s thin microfiber running gloves have capacitive finger tips, which meant that you can still use a touch device such as an iPhone, iPad or android device.

They are only around $23 bucks, so if you plan on doing a lot of newborn shoots and have cold hands, it is a great solution.

Recommended Posing Tools and Props

In addition to the photography gear and newborn accessories, there are posing tools and props that can further add to the production value of your shoots. Many of these items can be substituted with items found around the house, but if you are shooting newborn as a profession, it is a good idea to invest in these tools and props.

Props
Whether you use something that you found lying around the house or buy your props, props can add a lot of production value and interest to your photograph. Get creative, but remember to always be safe. Don’t use buckets or baskets that may have been used to store something that could potentially irritate the baby’s skin. Remember that the baby always comes first.

Our favorite source when purchasing newborn props is Beautifulphotoprops.com. They have a wonderful selection of safe props and clothing specifically designed for newborn photography. Beautiful Photo Props is also invaluable for ideas and inspiration because with most of their items, they give you professional examples of what photographs look like using the respective item.

Keep in mind that if you are on a budget and you have a creative bug, you can make your own props which are completely unique to you and your style. But, again, you do need plenty of time and you also need to be quite good at crafting.

Blankets, Cloth, and Backdrop
Textured and decorative blankets are a newborn photographer’s best friend because they are going to be the base or foundation for most of your shots. The key is to have a variety of textures and colors.

Additionally, be sure to have spare blankets in the case that one or two of your blankets become unusable due to baby mess.

A good place to purchase several blankets and cloth is your local fabric store. For any accessories or cloth that are going to be worn or be in direct contact with the newborn we like to go to boutique newborn clothing shops that specialize in newborn props simply because we don’t have to worry about the materials being safe.

We also recommend to avoid shiny blankets that have strong sheen-like appearances as they reflect a lot of light and can create distracting hotspots in your images.

Pillows
Small pillows are useful for posing and propping up newborns. Although most people will have regular-sized pillows around the house, they may not have these small pillows, so be sure to have a few of them for your kit.

Bean Bags or Posing Cushion
In addition to pillows, bean bags and posing cushions are wonderful little posing tools. If you don’t have any bean bags or cushions, pillows, blankets or even bath towels will also work. Bean bags are the most versatile because you can mold them into different shapes to support the newborn’s pose. Bean bags and posing cushions aren’t a must, but they will definitely allow you a bit more creativity and flexibility in posing. A great place to visit is BellaBun.com.

Foam Wedges
Foam wedges are a great little posing modifier because they are firm yet soft and easy to insert when you just need to slightly modify a pose. Having a 1-2 foam wedges aren’t a must, but they can definitely help out in modifying a pose when needed. Again, small pillows, towels and other objects can also be used in place of a wedge, they don’t always provide enough support.

Ankle Weights
When you are posing a newborn inside of a bucket, basket or other container, it is imperative that you weigh down the container so it doesn’t tip over. Although just about any type of weight will work, we love using love using ankle weights because they are fairly inexpensive, are covered in fabric, and can lay flat in the base of the container.

Standard dumbbells or metal weights create uneven surfaces and have exposed metal which are very cool to the touch, both of which can cause the newborn discomfort. With the ankle weights, all you have to do is place a couple ankle weights flat at the bottom of the container and cover it with a cloth.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this newborn photography gear and accessory guide. While newborn photography gear can potentially include several items, you really only need a few things to get started. One of the most important investments you can make when jumping into this genre, however, is your education. When photographing newborns, it is imperative that you work safely and keep the baby’s well-being top of mind at all times.

You’ll also want to learn to work efficiently. Newborns have similar needs and tendencies, but each is unique, and the control you have over the session is minimal when it comes to the baby cooperating. Still, there are techniques and workflow tips you can use to keep the session moving. This will ensure you capture a good amount of deliverable photos. To dive deeper into learning how to photograph newborns, check out our Newborn Photography Workshop, which is also part of our Premium Subscriptions. The workshop covers pre-shoot planning, lighting techniques, posing tips, editing instructions and more in 8 hours of video instructions.

These tips are an excerpt from our Newborn Photography Workshop. Check it out here or access it as a Premium Member here.

1. Back Newborn Pose

This pose is a simple and natural pose for newborns. Simply lay the newborn on his/her back and place their hands on their tummy. A Westcott 5-1 reflector can be used to add light, but make sure not to reflect the light directly into a newborn’s sensitive eyes.

Get the Small Details in The Back Pose

When shooting newborn portraits, be sure to get in close to get details. They grow so fast that it’s soon difficult to remember what their little fingers and toes looked like after just being born. The little details will be cherished and remembered by mom and dad for years to come. Additionally, capturing both the wide full body shots along with the tighter detail shots add a storytelling element to your shoot.

Capture Newborn Candids in the Back Pose

For a newborn session, always be prepared for anything. Newborns can be unpredictable. One minute you have a calm, serene and sleeping baby, the next minute she’s red-faced and screaming her head off.

Have your camera ready to go for these moments. During this shoot, Baby Ellie woke up mid-shoot and blinked her sleepy eyes up at Pye. Remember to adjust your settings, speeding up the shutter and compensating for the baby’s movements so that your images will still be sharp.

Babies don’t generally move too fast, but we recommend staying above 1/100 of a second and ideally around the 1/200 to 1/250 of a second range.

Capture a Full Length Photo in the Back Pose

This shot seems simple, but can be a bit tricky because it requires a bit of time and patience. You want to make sure that the newborn is in deep sleep first so posing them will not wake them up. Hold the baby’s legs in the same position for about 30-60 seconds, and generally the legs will stay long enough for you to get a full-length shot.

2. Simple Side Lying Newborn Pose

For this newborn pose, start with the newborn on their tummy and then gently ease them onto their side, allowing the baby to rest on their side arm while crossing their legs. Use the silver side of the reflector to catch and fill light into the shadows on the newborn’s face. Shoot the image directly facing the baby to get an intimate perspective of the sleeping baby.

3. Tummy Newborn Pose

The tummy newborn pose is a versatile pose that provides many different angles and cute variations. Start by moving the baby to lie on his/her tummy. Remember that babies are resilient and sturdy, but you always want to be cautious and overly safe, especially when dealing with their fragile head and neck. If there is any tension or flexing of the head or neck, wait for the baby to relax and then turn the head into position.

Side Angle Tummy Pose

With the baby on his or her tummy, you can take the photo from the side, such as the image below.

Top Down Tummy Pose

For the first variation of this newborn pose, you can adjust their hands underneath their chin and shoot from the top down, getting the side angle, looking at the newborn’s face.

Front Side Portrait Tummy Newborn Pose

This is a slight variation of the newborn pose above. Simply adjust the camera angle to shoot a top down shot directly onto the baby’s body. It does a great job of showing a newborn’s body shape. You don’t need a reflector because you’ll be standing where the reflector was.

In the image above, we used a basket with a pillow inside of it.  However, this concept works with almost any prop.  For more inspiration, see our article on newborn photography props.

4. Seated and Wrapped Newborn Pose

For this newborn pose, gently seat the baby and wrap them in a soft blanket or cloth, ensuring only their face and maybe some hands or feet peek out. This pose evokes feelings of protection and security and works best when the baby is in a deeper sleep. Using contrasting textures and colors can make the picture pop even more.

While newborns cannot sit upright by themselves, you can wrap them up and support the neck for long enough to take a few upright, seated photos, as illustrated in the photo above.  For more creative concepts, see our article on newborn photography ideas.

5. Newborn Held By Family Pose

One of the best, most significant newborn photos you can take is of the newborn with his or her family.  Capture one of the full family, one of the newborn being held by the parents, one of the newborn being held by a sibling, and other combinations.

There’s nothing like the warmth of a family member’s arms. This pose is particularly touching as it emphasizes love, connection, and the relationships that the baby will grow into.

Conclusion

Capturing stunning and timeless photos of newborns can be a challenging task for any photographer, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. By incorporating some easy newborn photography poses into your next session, you can create beautiful and memorable images that will last a lifetime. From the classic “froggy” pose to the simple “head on hands” pose, these poses are not only easy to execute but also highlight the delicate beauty of newborns. Remember to always prioritize the safety and comfort of the baby, and don’t be afraid to get creative with your poses. With these easy poses and a little bit of practice, you’ll be well on your way to capturing stunning photos of your littlest clients.

Now that you know the three basic posing positions, you can start getting creative with props, backgrounds and angles. To get more tips on photographing newborns, check out our Newborn Photography Workshop here.

Video: How to Photograph a Newborn at Home

In this article/video, I’m going to walk you through how to create your own professional newborn photos from start to finish right in your home garage. Before we begin, be sure to grab the Exercise File and edit it along with me!

Best Time for Newborn Photos

When considering the timing for newborn photos, the first two weeks of the baby’s life often provide the best results, especially between days 5 to 12. It’s during this period that babies tend to sleep deeply, which allows for various newborn and baby poses without disturbing them. Also, they retain much of the natural fetal position, making it easier to capture those quintessential newborn shots.

Creating the Right Environment

One of the critical aspects of newborn photography is ensuring that the environment is suitable for the baby. Firstly, babies are accustomed to a warm ambiance, reminiscent of their time in the womb. So, make sure the room where you’re photographing is cozy, ideally around 80°F or 27°C. This is particularly important if you’ll be photographing the baby with minimal clothing. The ambiance also matters. A calm, quiet environment will ensure that the baby remains peaceful and undisturbed. A handy tip is to consider using a white noise machine or even an app on your phone. It can be instrumental in recreating a soothing environment, similar to what the baby heard in utero.

Safety is paramount. When trying different poses, always ensure that there is sufficient support for the baby, especially for the head and neck. Even when they seem secure in a particular position, always have an extra pair of hands nearby, just in case.

Lighting

In photography, lighting can make or break a picture. For newborn photos at home, natural light proves to be the best choice. You can achieve soft, diffused lighting by positioning the baby near a large window, though not directly under sunlight to avoid harsh shadows. If you’re trying to plan around the weather, overcast days are splendid because the cloud cover acts as a natural diffuser, ensuring the light isn’t too harsh. But if it’s a sunny day, shooting during the early morning or late afternoon is advisable.

Poses

When it comes to poses, the idea is to showcase the natural beauty and innocence of the baby. Wrapping the baby in a soft blanket not only looks endearing but is also functional as it keeps them warm and gives a feeling of security. Placing them on their back and letting their tiny arms and legs stretch out or allowing them to curl up can bring out their vulnerability and cuteness. Don’t forget to involve family members too. A shot of the baby nestled against a parent’s chest or a gentle touch from an elder sibling can evoke powerful emotions.

How I Captured the Image

Before we begin, I’d like to point out that you can use any camera you’d like to capture this image and if you’d like, you can even use your phone in portrait mode or portrait mode equivalent and still come out with fantastic, professional-level images. For today’s tutorial, I photographed my newborn daughter, Josie, with the Fujifilm GFX100S Medium Format Mirrorless camera paired with the Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR Lens which is roughly a 50mm full-frame equivalent. Generally, for portraits like these, I recommend either a 50mm or 85mm prime lens. Since toddlers and young children tend to move quickly, I kept my shutter speed around 1/400 to 1/500 seconds and with our bright natural light coming in through the garage as the primary light source, our ISO will land at around 400-800 depending on the time of day.

For this image, I set up my Backdrop by Ethan Alex a little deeper in the garage since the neutral colored walls provided abundant fill for a large amount of light coming in through the garage opening. If you don’t have a backdrop, you can always use bedsheets or even just a plain wall and when you’re taking the photographs, make sure you always have an adult right by the baby and remove any distractions from the room while you or an assistant try to catch their attention for that perfect expression.

Related Reading: 10 Newborn Baby Photoshoot Ideas & Inspiration

How to Edit a Natural Light Newborn Portrait

You may have noticed that the exercise file is a JPEG. That’s because Lightroom doesn’t yet support the massive 100-megapixel RAW files that come out of the GFX100S, so we’ll be editing the JPEG file which is already beautiful on its own. Specifically, I’ll be using Lightroom Classic, which is a powerful and often underestimated tool and I’d recommend it over Lightroom CC if you’re looking to get the most out of your raw images with the full desktop experience.

Step 1: Getting That Perfect Crop

By pressing R+O with the cropping tool selected, you can cycle through the various composition guides to help you frame the image just right. I began by slightly tightening the frame and getting Josie’s face right in the middle of the picture.

Notice I left a lot of negative space around Josie. I did that because I like the overall look, but also, practically speaking, I’ll want that extra room in case I decide to print the picture down the road and need to fit it into a frame or an album. If the picture is too tight and I need to rework it for any reason, I won’t have anywhere to go without potentially cropping into the subject.

Step 2: Applying the Base Tones with the Basic Adjustment Sliders

There’s a tendency to adjust the exposure first, but we’re going to think a little differently and work backward starting with the evening out the shadows and highlights. By lowering the whites and highlights and raising the shadows and blacks, we’re reducing the contrast and enhancing the brightness and softness created by the large light source coming in from our left.

We’ll lower the contrast slider just a touch and then I’ll brighten up the exposure as well as raise clarity by 10 to boost some of the mid-tone contrast. Using the white-balance selector, find a point in the image that’s closest to neutral that’s also being lit by the primary light source. Seeing that mostly everything in the frame has a tint, I picked Josie’s headband as the closest neutral source and made slight adjustments to arrive at the settings above.

Step 3: Fine-Tuning with HSL and Color Grading

We’ll be working with just the Saturation part of the HSL panel. The biggest difference you’ll notice is that I desaturated most of the blue hues. The blue often happens when you’re working with natural light from a window and you’ll see that mostly in the shadows. By removing the blue hues, we arrive at a more neutral palette. I also pulled some oranges and red hues out of the skin tones as well as greens, aquas, and purples, which are colors that aren’t in the scene anyway.

In the color grading panels, I added warmth to the highlights to match the skin tone and likewise in the mid-tones as well as upping the luminance. In the shadows, I added a touch of blues and raised the luminance to polish up the overall color tone.

Step 4: Final Retouches and Adjustments

Using the adjustment brush tool, I added a touch of warmth to the bottom of Josie’s feet to match the color of her hands and her face. Josie’s smile lines also appeared a bit on the dark side so I used the Diminish Lines tool from our Visual Flow Retouching Toolkit and painted over the lines to soften up the shadow areas and you’ll see that it brightens up the image quite a bit.

After some basic spot healing to get some little flecks and in some cases, boogers, off, our last adjustment is on the eyes. I used Eyes: Whiten as well as Catchlights from the Retouching Toolkit to help Josie’s eyes pop out. Just be sure to zoom in and out frequently to make sure the effect isn’t overdone and is evenly applied to both eyes.

Quick Tip: Hold down Alt or Option, click and drag the adjustment brush marker to the left or right to evenly adjust the overall intensity of the effect.

Before and After of The At Home Newborn Photo

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this full walkthrough of how I captured and edited this newborn portrait of my daughter, Josie. The screenshots layout the baseline settings so that you can create your own adjustment brushes and presets, much like those included in the Visual Flow Retouching Toolkit. We also have an entire Newborn Photography Workshop for those interested in mastering the techniques and incorporating stunning newborn photography into their portfolios.

Be sure to catch our next episode of Mastering Your Craft on Adorama’s YouTube channel next week! If you want to catch up on all the episodes, make sure you check out our playlist!