Inside: A sneak peek into our at home newborn photos and some great outfit ideas if you’re planning a newborn family photoshoot of your own!
You guys, can you EVEN with this face?
Having a newborn photoshoot is an exciting and meaningful experience for parents, whether it’s your first or 15th baby!
But it can be stressful to think about what to wear and us mamas don’t need anything else stressing us out, right?
You want to make sure that you look your best, but also that you’re comfortable.
I got you, mama!
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When Should You Do a Newborn Photoshoot?
You may be asking yourself when to do a newborn photoshoot.
Newborn photoshoots typically take place between 7-14 days after they’re born.
This is because babies are often most relaxed, flexible, and most important – sleepy – during this time frame.
Especially if you’re doing this at home, having the room warm (like with a space heater) and a sound machine on is super helpful!
It’s also helpful if they have a full belly, so try to feed them as close to the beginning of your newborn photoshoot as possible! This will help them feel warm and snuggly and make them extra sleepy.
Props or Accessories
Swaddles
Props and accessories when you’re doing a newborn photoshoot at home can be real simple with things you already have around their house – namely, anything in their nursery!
With Walker, we didn’t use a lot of props, but I am SO IN LOVE with this little bow swaddle.
Y’all know I love my blue and white so this was an easy buy for us and it looked SO sweet on him. These bow swaddles come in so many colors so you could definitely find the perfect one for you!
Moses Basket
We got a Moses bassinet for him so that we could move him around the house with us without disturbing him, but it also makes a great prop for a newborn photoshoot!
Seriously you guys, I could eat him up. After a pretty traumatic birthing experience, I am all the more grateful to have him here and in my arms.
What size basket is best for newborn photography?
I prefer the basket to be a little deeper since we actually used this to let him sleep so if they’re going to be using it for rest and not just a newborn photoshoot prop, you want it to be at least 12″ deep or more.
His basket is around 30″ long and it’s the perfect size for his sweet little body. Especially when they’re in that curled up stage when they don’t realize their legs can stretch out. You mamas know what I mean 🙂
Other Prop or Accessories Ideas
- Bows
- Bonnets
- Hats
- Headbands
- Jewelry either from parents or other important people in your life
- Their sonogram picture
- Blankets
- Stuffies/Loveys
- Meaningful books
- Invitations to baby shower/sprinkle
Newborn Family Photoshoot Outfit Ideas
Material
For us mamas especially, you want to feel comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, you’re likely to show that discomfort on camera.
Thin, lightweight fabrics and flowy tops or dresses are great options for moms. I loved this white flowy dress from Free People. It was the perfect fabric so I didn’t feel to hot, but was flowy to cover up the postpartum body where none of our clothes fit us right just yet.
Colors and Patterns
Since we were doing a newborn photoshoot at home, I knew that we would be doing it in his nursery.
There is so much fun color and pattern in here with the wallpaper so I planned our outfits around that.
Not me again choosing blue and white for everything like I do. I just can’t help myself! It’s classic and feels almost like instinct with us being in the Carolinas.
The colors and patterns you choose should complement each other. You want the focus to be on the sweet babe – not super bold colors or patterns.
I loved getting to have a couple of these photos with Harper in them. She’s just been the best big sister and she LOVES her baby brother. I can’t wait to watch them grow up and be best friends together!
If you’re doing photos with the whole family, try picking a color palette of two-three coordinating colors for everyone to wear. This way, all of the outfits will match and create a cohesive look in the photos.
If everyone is wearing different shades of blue (or any other color), that will help tie together all of the individual outfits even if they are different styles or cuts.
Mama and Baby
If you get a chance to do a wardrobe change and just do a few shots of mama and baby alone, take my advice and DO IT!
You grew that little thing and were their only source of nourishment and life for 9 months – having a few photos of just you and your baby will be something you can treasure forever!
This is one of my favorite maxi dresses from Free People because it’s flowy, but not shapeless.
It has elastic around the neckline which is perfect for breastfeeding or pumping mamas. I don’t know about y’all, but my chest grew 4 times the size while pregnant and as I’ve been pumping.
Okay, maybe not 4 times, but STILL!
I threw on this bow tie mini dress (again in white and blue, DUH!) and paired it with some over the knee cowboy boots for a little fun and to feel good!
Just because you have a new body doesn’t mean you can’t feel good in it!
I am so pleased with how all our at home newborn photoshoot pictures turned out and really hope some of these styling tips and outfit ideas sparked some creativity for your upcoming photoshoot with your own family!
Most importantly, I am just so thankful to be enjoying our life as a sweet little family of four.
These really are the days 🙂
