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Baby’s first photos: quick tips for photographing your newborn

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Baby’s First Photos:
Quick Tips for Photographing Newborns 

 
Just popping in to share this guestpost I did a while back for Kiki Creates. Hope you enjoy. 
 
I sure love babies and I especially love taking pictures of the little cuties, so today, I thought I’d share a few quick tips to help with capturing beautiful photos of the newborn in your life.
 
{QUICK TIP} I haven’t been in a delivery room yet that had ideal lighting conditions for taking photos, so if your pictures come out with a strange color cast to them simply change them to black and white and voila! Nothing to worry about!
 
When welcoming baby into the world nothing is quite so special as capturing those first few moments of their precious life on camera. When packing that camera in your hospital bag make sure you also pack a charged battery + a backup just in case.  Don’t forget your memory card and maybe an extra one in case you get a little camera happy and also take the time to jot down a quick list of photos you’d like taken during your hospital stay. If you’re going to be the one in front of the camera make sure you give the camera person a quick how-to on using the camera, where to find the extra battery and memory cards and that they know what photos you want taken.
 
 
Don’t forget to capture some of the very first interactions when siblings and other family members are first introduced to baby. Don’t worry about eye contact with the camera, the interaction between your loved ones and baby is what you really want to capture.
 
When it’s time to come home and get settled into a new routine with your bundle of joy, don’t forget to take photos of the regular, everyday things that are unique to having a newborn in your home. So much changes when a new baby is brought home and this unique time in life passes so quickly. Taking the time to capture some of the little details that make up life with a newborn can bring back memories of this precious time years down the road. Sleepy afternoons, bottle feedings, piles of little baby laundry, newborn diapers, binky’s and late night snuggles.
 
{QUICK TIP} If baby is too cold, try placing a heating blanket underneath the white sheet to help keep him/her nice and warm. Do not leave baby on heating pad unattended.
 
As important as those little details and candid moments are to capture, a planned photoshoot with your newborn can be fun too! Taking posed photos of your newborn when they’re brand new is ideal. After the two week mark it can be trickier to capture these types of shots. You don’t need much to capture a photo like the one pictured above. Simply grab a large cushion off your couch, place it on the floor a few feet in front of a large window or doorway where you have ample light. Cover the cushion with a plain white sheet and when you have baby asleep lay them on the cushion, diaper on. Make sure someone is close by to help you in case baby decides to roll. Position yourself directly above baby (you may need a stool) and snap away. Watch your angle so you can hide baby’s diaper.
 
 
Armed with these quick tips I know you’ll be well on your way to capturing some darling photos of your precious newborn!
 
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For more tips on capturing photos of the newborn, toddler and older child in  your life check out my
eBook from Ella Publishing:
 
Don’t Say Cheese! How to capture great, natural photos of your child.
 

Rebecca

Rebecca

Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
Rebecca
Rebecca

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  2. I’ve forwarded this on to hubby in preparation for baby 2 due in December. Tbh he was rather traumatised after witnessing the birth of Baby 1 (poor mite LOL) so I doubt he’ll manage to do/say anything until a few hours after this little lady arrives but at least I won’t have to sit there myself taking photos at arms length with my camera phone! Looking back I’m amazed at how many times I had to ask other people to take photos for me. I did everything and no one once offered. So this time I’m enforcing it. Thank you for sharing!

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