Let’s be honest - when you bring a newborn home, you’re equal parts obsessed, exhausted, and wondering why no one told you newborns smell like heaven.
And suddenly, every moment feels like something you want to bottle up forever.
A professional newborn photographer is amazing… but not always realistic in those early months. The good news? You can take beautiful, meaningful photos of your baby at home - no studio lighting or expensive camera required. Just your phone, a few simple tricks, and your gorgeous baby.
Here’s how to capture memories you’ll want to frame forever (and ones future you will definitely cry over).
1. Use Natural Light (Your Best Friend!)
Good news: you don’t need fancy equipment.
Just find the best natural light in your home - usually near a big window, patio doors, or even your front door.
Tips:
- Turn off all overhead lights (they cause weird shadows).
- Position baby sideways or slightly angled toward the light.
- Avoid harsh midday sun — mornings and late afternoons are soft and dreamy.
Newborn skin looks like chef’s kiss in gentle light.
2. Keep the Background Super Simple
A clutter-free background keeps the attention where it should be: your cute little squish.
Try:
- A plain blanket on the bed
- A white or neutral muslin cloth
- The sofa with a single cushion
Soft textures = instant cosy vibes.
And trust me, no one is judging the laundry pile behind you - just move it out of the frame!
3. Capture Tiny Details (They Change SO Fast)
Zoom in on:
- Tiny toes
- Flaky newborn fingers
- Their little nose
- Hair swirls
- Eyelashes
- Hands gripping yours
These micro-moments are the ones you’ll want to remember when they’re suddenly running around the house yelling “SNACK!”
4. Photograph Baby From Above (Safely!)
Lay baby on a flat, soft surface and stand directly above them.
Make sure your phone has a good grip - a phone dropped on a newborn is not the vibe you want!
This angle gives you:
- Perfect symmetry
- Cute sleepy faces
- Arms-by-the-head pose (classic newborn magic)
Try shooting from further away than you think - you can crop later.
5. Get In the Frame (Even If You Feel Sleep-Deprived)
I know, I know - greasy hair, oversized hoodie, questionable under-eye situation.
But future you would love to see early-mum-you in these photos.
Just hold the baby close, find good light, and let your partner (or timer!) snap a few.
You’ll be SO glad you did.
6. Add Something Meaningful to the Shot
This is where your photos become more than just “cute baby pics.”
Try photographing baby next to something sentimental, like:
- Their coming-home outfit
- A favourite soft toy
- Your wedding rings on their toes (classic Pinterest!)
- Their hospital bracelet
- Your custom birth print or star map ✨
This makes the photo instantly more personal - plus, it’s a beautiful way to remember the moment they arrived.
One of my favourite photo ideas:
Lay your Born Under These Stars print next to your baby, include their tiny feet or hand touching the print, and capture the stars that shone the night they were born in the same frame as them. It’s such a keepsake moment!
7. Keep Baby Warm, Comfy and Fed
A comfy baby = dreamy photos.
Feed them first, keep the room warm, and use a soft white noise app if needed.
Sleepy babies photograph beautifully, but alert babies with wide eyes are adorable too.
Either mood works. Just follow their lead.
8. Edit Gently (No Over-the-Top Filters!)
You don’t need heavy presets.
A few easy edits:
- Increase brightness a little
- Slightly lift shadows
- Warm up the temperature
- Add a tiny bit of contrast
Most of this can be done in the iPhone Photos app.
Keep it natural - newborns look perfect as they are.
9. Take LOTS of Photos
You’ll take 50 photos for one good one - totally normal.
Babies move, wiggle, squirm, sneeze… it’s all part of the fun.
Shoot more than you think.
You’ll thank yourself later.
10. Print Your Favourites (Don’t Let Them Live on Your Camera Roll Forever!)
Once you’ve taken your dreamy at-home newborn photos, pick your favourites and turn them into tangible memories.
Create a little gallery wall, pair them with your custom prints, or make a keepsake album.
These tiny moments deserve to be displayed - not lost between screenshots and shopping lists.
Final Thoughts
Taking newborn photos at home isn’t about perfection - it’s about capturing the love, the softness, the tired joy, and the magic of those fleeting early weeks.
And honestly? Some of the most beautiful newborn photos you’ll ever take happen in the messy, cosy, real moments at home.
If you want a meaningful backdrop for your photos (and a gorgeous keepsake for the nursery), check out our Born Under These Stars prints and other custom wall art. They pair so beautifully with newborn shoots - and they’re eco-friendly, clutter-free, and designed to last long after the baby stage.