There’s nothing cuter than a newborn baby. They really are a bundle of joy with their squinting eyes, button noses, and tiny hands and feet. Newborn photography captures these precious early moments. It’s about creating adorable images of newborn babies that parents can cherish for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for newborn photo ideas, you’ve come to the right place. We have a list of them that you can try at home and in the studio. And we’ve also got some essential newborn photography tips, so your photoshoot goes to plan.
43 Newborn Photo Ideas
Now it’s time to get started with the newborn photo ideas. Baby photography can be a tricky business. And babies aren’t always the most cooperative models.
You need plenty of newborn photoshoot ideas to get great results no matter the baby’s mood. We have two sets of baby photography ideas anyone can try.
The first set of newborn photo ideas are poses you can do at home. They don’t require any special equipment and everything can be done with natural light. There are photo ideas for both parents. And you can even get the pets involved too.
The second set of newborn photo ideas is for the studio. These newborn photoshoot ideas use more props and accessories. And they’re about creating themes, using different styles for some fabulous baby photography. We’ll start with several newborn photos ideas at home. In this section, ideas are simple and easy to produce. You don’t need much equipment. And any props you need will be part of the baby’s normal apparatus.
1. All Wrapped Up
When a newborn baby leaves the hospital, they spend most of their time wrapped up in blankets. It keeps them safe and warm from the elements. And with only the baby’s face peeking out of the blankets, it makes a fabulous newborn photo.
2. The Mother’s Embrace
The loving embrace of a mother is the best place a newborn baby can be. The mother’s instincts are to protect and nurture. And it’s where the baby feels the most secure during the most vulnerable time in their life.
Having the mother hold the newborn close makes an excellent newborn photo. They’ll forget the camera is there. And you’ll be able to snap some beautifully tender and natural photos of mother and child.
3. In The Father’s Arms
The father also plays a crucial role in the development of newborn babies. And capturing natural moments between father and child is an excellent newborn photo idea.
Let the father hold the child close. Don’t distract them with too much direction. Let them relax so you can get natural photos. You’re looking for candid intimacy between the subjects.
4. Face to Face
This newborn photo idea is another natural moment. The mother holds the newborn in front of her. She supports the baby’s back and head, so they’re face to face.
Let them feel the connection between one another. It’s ideal if the baby is awake, but you’ll still have a fab shot if it’s sleeping. The mother can whisper or sing to the child to add extra tenderness to the newborn picture.
5. Face to Face (Father)
Include the father into your newborn photos as much as possible. They often don’t spend as much time with their baby girl or boy as the mothers. They want photos they can cherish too.
This newborn pose gives the father a moment alone with the newborn. You and your camera will be there, of course. But give them some space, and allow them time to ease into the pose. You’re guaranteed a sweet newborn picture.
6. Mother and Child Sitting on the Bed
The bed is an excellent location for newborn photography. It’s comfortable for the mother and safe for the baby. It’s a safe space where people can move freely. And the comfort of the subjects will help you achieve relaxed and personal photos.
This full-body shot shows how naturally the mother handles and cares for her child. You’ll have smiles and blissful facial expressions. But there’s the rest of the body language too.
7. Focus on the Hands
You’ll find many newborn photo ideas just by looking at their tiny hands. People are fascinated by a baby’s hands and feet. They’re so small and delicate they always draw attention.
It’s an easy shot you can get in any location. And you can use a shallow depth of field to concentrate attention on the hands.
8. Hand Comparison
When looking at a photo of a baby’s hand, it’s sometimes hard to see how tiny it is. That’s why making a hand comparison is a superb idea for newborn photography.
You can lay the baby’s hand into the mother’s or father’s. The difference in size will emphasize the fragility of the tiny fingers. And it’s one of those newborn photo ideas that show us how far we have to go when we grow up. It’s a long journey.
9. All Three Hands
Many newborn photo ideas incorporate the child and the two parents. And this pose makes a sweet and touching newborn picture.
Having the three hands together symbolizes the parents working together to nurture their baby boy or girl. You have the contrast in size. But you also have a touching metaphor for care and affection.
10. Focus on The Feet
The feet are another feature that works well for newborn photography ideas. Like their tiny hands, they’re a source of much interest from admirers.
11. Baby Feet in Adult Hands
Using the hands of adults is a fantastic idea for heart-warming baby pictures. The contrast between the baby’s feet and the adult’s hands shows us just how tiny a newborn baby is.
12. Sleeping Close Up
It’s more likely that the newborn will be asleep than awake. But you can still try some excellent newborn photo ideas when they’re napping.
You can get close and take a photo of the baby’s face. Be careful not to disturb the baby, so perhaps use a lens that allows you to get the close-up from a distance.
13. Breastfeeding
The baby will probably need feeding at some point during the photo session. You can use this time as a break. Or you take the opportunity for some intimate newborn photos.
Breastfeeding is an intimate activity. Something that’s only shared between mother and child. You’ll capture some stunning baby photos if you’re respectful with your camera. Don’t intrude if uninvited, and don’t disrupt the mother and child.
14. Over The Shoulder
When the newborn baby is awake and alert, you need to be ready with your best newborn photo ideas. Even when they’re lively, babies can’t support themselves. But if the mother or father holds them to their chest, you’ll get a great shot of the baby looking over the shoulder. It’s a great pose because you can see their face in all their glory.
15. Both Parents Holding The Newborn
Including both parents makes for some interesting newborn photo ideas. And this one is simple in construction but powerful in message.
Both parents holding the newborn baby at the same time symbolizes their teamwork. It shows how they’re working together to care for and protect their new child.
The parents can look at the baby. Or they can look at each other with a loving look. Both options make powerful newborn pictures they’ll be proud of.
16. Baby Lying on the Father
Babies can sleep pretty much anywhere. And you can use that for some lovely newborn photo ideas. The father can get comfy on the bed, lying on their back. The newborn baby can then lie on their stomach and chest.
17. Triple Portrait
This type of shot is the perfect way to bring all the family into your newborn photography. The mother can hold the baby in her arms, pointing the tiny face towards the camera. And the father can sit behind the mother, looking over her shoulder.
It might seem like a standard portrait. But it’s a newborn photo idea that expresses unity and togetherness. It demonstrates the love shared between all three people in the photo. It’s a family united.
18. Take A Walk Outside
Newborns can’t travel far. But if you’re lucky enough to have a garden to work in, it’s a fabulous location for some newborn photo ideas. Of course, only try this in appropriate weather. If it’s too cold or hot, keep your photo session indoors.
The mother and father can carry the newborn around. They can have it in their arms or a papoose. You’ll get some fabulous shots of the child in the glorious natural light of a sunny day.
19. Include the Dog
Bringing the family pet into the photo session is great to liven up your newborn photo ideas. Dogs are beloved animals. And they’re just as much a part of the family as any human. As long as they’re well behaved, you can snap some baby pictures with the dog.
Don’t force anything. You don’t want the animal or the newborn to become uncomfortable. Let the scene flow naturally so you can capture some candid family pictures.
20. Newborn with Older Sibling
The newborn might not be their first child. So for more fun newborn photo ideas, you can include their older brother or sister. They can lie together on a bed or sofa. Or, if the older child is strong enough, they can hold the newborn.
21. The Whole Family
Bringing the whole family together makes for some excellent newborn photography ideas. It turns standard newborn photos into memorable family portraits. You can have the parents and all the siblings. And don’t forget the pets!
Newborn Photo Ideas In The Studio
Now we’ll move away from the home environment and look at newborn photo ideas for the studio. This section will have more of a focus on props and conceptual ideas for newborn photography. And there are some newborn photoshoot ideas for baby girls and baby boys.
22. Color Wraps
When you’re working in a studio, you can play with conceptual color schemes. You can wrap the newborn in a colorful blanket. And the surroundings can be a matching color.
Newborn photographers need a good collection of colorful materials in their studio. The parents might be fussy about colors. And they might want to color code the photos depending on whether it’s a baby girl or boy.
23. Matching Hat
If you want to make it in the business of baby photography, you’ll need some good baby hats. And you’ll want them to match the colors of the other accessories. You’ll need “boy colors,” “girl colors,” and everything in between.
24. Lying On A Fluffy Blanket
A thick fluffy blanket is an excellent prop for newborn photos. The soft blanket is comfy for the newborn. And it has the appearance of a fluffy cloud, giving the images a dream-like quality.
25. Colorful Bow On The Head
If you’re working with a baby girl, a pretty bow is a perfect accessory. It adds a splash of color and helps to identify the baby. Newborns look alike, so a bow on the head indicates you’ve got a baby girl. It highlights their femininity.
26. In A Deep Basket
A basket will give you some fantastic newborn photo ideas. And if you have a deep basket, you can try a Moses-style newborn photo. The deep sides keep the baby protected. And it’s easy to move around the studio if you need to make changes.
27. Ornate Wicker Basket
You can also fill the basket with soft blankets, so the newborn baby sits at the top. Using an ornate basket shows how small the newborn is. It’ll give you some adorable newborn photos.
This style of baby picture gives the newborn an ornamental quality. It highlights how small and fragile they are.
28. Make a Nest
Natural themes fit well with newborn photography. After all, having a baby is the most natural process in the world. And your new baby sleeping in a nest makes for a sweet newborn photo.
It gives the newborn a fresh, just-hatched appearance. The nest makes the baby feel brand new.
29. With A Cuddly Toy
A cuddly toy is a great way to add extra cuteness to your newborn photography ideas. Cuddly toys mean a lot to small children. They’re friends and companions through thick and thin. And they are always all adorable together.
30. Cuddly Toy and Matching Knitwear
Having a few sets of cuddly toys with matching knitwear for the baby will guarantee you never run low on newborn photo ideas. It strengthens their friendship and bond. And it’s a newborn photo sure to melt anyone’s heart.
31. Matching Hat and Bow Tie
If you want to turn your baby boy into a little man, a matching hat and bow tie combo does the trick. Costumes like this are a great way of bringing humor into your newborn photography. A pair of glasses is another excellent accessory for a funny newborn picture.
32. Floral Flat Lay
Floral flat lay photography is a separate genre of photography. But if you make the newborn baby the centerpiece of your layout, you’ll have some excellent newborn photos. Flat lays are full of color.
You can make them seasonal by using flowers that bloom in spring or summer. Or you can use colorful fallen leaves for an autumnal arrangement. Holly and evergreen boughs are perfect for a winter-themed newborn photo.
33. Floral Headdress
Using flowers adds splashes of color to your newborn photography ideas. A floral headdress or headband works perfectly with a baby girl. But you can use “boy color” flowers if it’s a photo session with a baby boy.
34. Miniature Bed
You need many newborn photo ideas for a sleeping baby. So using a miniature bed as a prop makes perfect sense. It’s adorable and makes the newborn baby look bigger than they are.
35. Create A Themed Set
You can get inventive with your newborn photo ideas by creating sets and setting scenes. You can create a woodland realm with trees and toadstools. You can even make woodland critters inhabit the scene.
Children love fairy tales and magical stories. They can inspire some creative newborn photoshoot ideas. You can get creative with set designs and costumes to make something truly magical.
36. Use Seasonally Themed Backdrops
Incorporating the season of the baby’s birth is another element you can add to your newborn photography ideas. You can have a backdrop for each season of the year and additional props. Purchasing the backdrops is one option. Or you can make them yourself.
37. Create a Prince or Princess
If you’re creating themed sets for your newborn photography, a tiny crown is a superb prop. It’s only a small item, but it’ll turn your baby boy into a prince and your baby girl into a princess.
38. Black And White Portrait
Newborn photos ideas can come from other areas of photography. Black and white portraits aren’t usually associated with newborn photography ideas. But they can make some powerful baby pictures.
You want the baby to stand out. If the baby boy or girl has light skin, use dark-colored blankets. And if the baby has dark skin, use light blankets. The contrast will give you a sophisticated newborn baby picture.
39. Make It Snow
It’s good practice to have some festive newborn photo ideas. Many parents want to use their newborn photos as Christmas cards to send to friends and family.
You can use fake snow in the studio, but always make sure it’s non-toxic. And rather than sprinkling the snow on the baby directly, sprinkle it between the camera and the newborn. This way, it will look like it’s snowing, but the baby is unaffected.
If you don’t want the mess of fake snow, you can add the snow in post-production. You won’t have the on-set excitement. But there will be less cleaning up involved.
40. Try an Aviation Theme
Young boys love planes, trains, and automobiles. And using these as themes can give you plenty of newborn photo ideas, especially if you’re working with a baby boy.
The aviation theme is particularly fun for baby boys. You can have a plane for them to sleep on, with an accompanying hat and goggles. A thick fur rug makes an excellent carpet of clouds. And it also creates a safe environment for the newborn baby.
41. Fisherman Theme
If aviation isn’t their thing, maybe you can turn to the open ocean for some fun newborn photoshoot ideas. A baby boy dressed as a fisherman in a tiny boat makes for a fabulous newborn photo. But you can try similar ideas with a baby girl too.
You need a small boat frame for the baby to lie in. You can fill it with a soft blanket to make it comfy for the baby. And the knitted costumes will make the photo even more adorable.
A blue shaggy rug works well for the sea below. Or you can use wood or thick card painted blue. Using real water is not advised for safety reasons.
42. Animal Costumes
The natural world is an excellent source for newborn photos ideas. Kids love animals. And combining newborns with cute critters will produce wonderfully cute newborn baby pictures.
Nature themes are fabulous fun for newborn photo sessions. That’s why newborn photographers should have a good collection of knitwear animal costumes. You’ll need animals to suit a baby boy and others to suit a baby girl.
43. Flamenco-Style Dress
Adult-style dresses can add the wow factor to your newborn photo ideas if you’re working with a baby girl. You can pick many styles and color themes. But the red and black of a flamenco dress is dynamic and strong. And with the added flower headband, your baby pictures will definitely draw attention.
Newborn Photography Tips
Before you start a newborn photo session, you should consider our newborn photography tips. They’ll help you get the most out of your sessions so that you can snap some special newborn pictures.
1. Be Prepared
Baby photography is a delicate business involving equipment and props. And the early weeks of a baby’s life are stressful for the parents. To make the newborn photoshoot go as smoothly as possible, you need to have everything ready in advance.
2. Be Flexible with Time
Newborn babies aren’t professional models, so you can’t expect them to stick to a strict shooting schedule. When they want food, they need to be fed. It doesn’t matter if you were just about to get a great shot. The needs of the baby come first.
A good practice for a newborn photo session is to give yourself more time than you think you need. Make the photo session longer than you might for a shoot with older children. You might not use all the extra time. But you’ll have a buffer for any breaks the baby needs.
3. Be Flexible With Location
For many professional photographers, their studio is their workspace. But when it comes to newborn baby photography, you should be open to doing photo sessions in the client’s house.
Taking a newborn baby anywhere can be stressful. It’s not easy for the parents or the baby. Doing newborn photoshoots at their home is an excellent idea. It makes life a lot easier for mother and child.
4. Work Safe
Newborn babies are fragile creatures. Whether working at home or in a studio, you need to have the baby’s safety at the forefront of your practice.
Never work alone when taking newborn pictures. Always have at least one other person present. All the props you use should be soft. And don’t work on any narrow surfaces high off the ground.
5. Don’t Use a Flash
Flash photography isn’t a good idea for a newborn photo session. Their eyes haven’t been open long, and they’re very sensitive. A bright flash could damage them.
Use natural light where ever you can. Reflectors are an excellent tool for giving you more control with natural light. And they don’t harm the baby. You can use ring lights and other soft lighting sources. But avoid anything too harsh.
Conclusion
There are so many fantastic newborn photo ideas you can try. If you’re looking for newborn photoshoot ideas in the home, there are plenty of poses. And you can include the parents, siblings, and pets too.
Newborn photoshoot ideas for the studio are just as important. And there are plenty of styles and themes you can experiment with for fun and fabulous newborn baby photos. Play with props and exciting set designs.
We hope this article has inspired you to create your own newborn photography ideas. You’ll be more than prepared for your next newborn photo session.
Check out our Dreamy Childhood Portraits eBook to create newborn photos you can cherish for a lifetime!
