Having a new baby is incredibly exciting, and the first few months fly by in a blur of nappies, feeds and sleepless nights.
Sometimes parents look back and wish they had captured more of their babies’ first days of life.
Newborn photography has become immensely popular in recent years, with parents coming up with beautiful and creative ways to capture those precious moments.
If you would like to have a newborn photo shoot but have no idea what theme to choose, these are a few great ideas.
1. Outdoors shoot
If you live in the country or have a large garden why not stage your shoot outdoors? If you live in a town, head to your local park or beach if you live close to the sea. Natural light is a photographer’s best friend after all.
You can put your little one on a blanket on the grass and or try posing under a tree while you hold them.
Having a setting with green grass, sunshine and flowers can create beautiful photos. Obviously, if your little one is born in November, this might not work so well!
2. Swaddle the baby and put them in a prop
Do you have anything unusual around your house that your tot would fit into? You could try a vintage chest, pretty basket or even a crate. Tiny babies look adorable swaddled up in a basket.
If you don’t have anything suitable, try swaddling the baby and laying them on a colourful rug for a backdrop.
Take care and ensure your prop is solid and secure before you pop your tot into it.
3. Incorporate siblings (and pets)
Newborn shoots don’t have to be just parents and babies - why not let your little ones pose with the baby, to make a really special photo. You could get them to all lie in one bed or snap some candid shots of them looking at one another or holding hands.
If you have a gentle pet who doesn’t mind a fuss, get them to pose as well.
4. Seasonal themes
If your baby is born at a certain time of the year, why not use that as your theme?
For Christmas, you can dress them in a Santa outfit; for Halloween or autumn, incorporate pumpkins and leaves; for St. Patrick’s Day, you can dress them as a leprechaun; and for Easter, use eggs, toy bunnies and pretty pastel colours in your shoot.
Dressing up is optional for parents!
4. Nursery photos
If you’ve decorated your nursery with a beautiful theme, you already have the perfect backdrop for photographs. Give the room a good clean and tidy, and open the curtains to make the most of the natural light.
Buy a lightbox for the nursery, and you can spell out a message for the baby on it. You can also incorporate items such as a baptism candle, bunting, or a birth certificate.
You can capture shots in different places, such as sleeping in a crib or cot, rocking in a rocking chair with mum or walking with the baby over your shoulder.
These photos always look lovely as they aren’t overly posed and look like snapshots from your tot’s daily life.
5. Add toys and fun items
A great idea is to tuck a toy in beside your baby while they are asleep. You can also try putting a cute hat, hairband or even a baby tiara on your tot!
Your little one might not enjoy wearing a fancy outfit as this stage of their life, so this is one way to add a touch of style to your photo shoot.
