How Moms and Photographers Can Take The Best Newborn Photos

Holding a newborn photo shoot is a special way to document their first few days. It’s also a great way to have mementos that moms can cherish as their baby grows up. That’s why Fresh 48 photo sessions are popular nowadays: they capture memories from within the first 48 hours after childbirth.

Although this is an exciting and sentimental time, preparing for the best outcome is vital. After all, babies are only newborns once, so everyone needs to make the most of this session. If you’re unsure how to do so, here are a few ways moms and photographers can take the best newborn photos—and don’t worry, they’re applicable even 48 hours after the baby’s born!

Beware of risky baby poses

Pinterest and Instagram have many cute newborn poses you may want to replicate. However, it’s important to consider the safety of these poses. For instance, a trendy one is having the baby on a swing or hammock. This is risky because the baby could fall, which is especially dangerous since their bones have yet to fully develop.

So, keep the newborn’s safety in mind for the poses. Always support their head and neck when changing their position to avoid injuries. One safe pose you can do is to have the mom carry the baby with their head on her chest. If you’re positioning the newborn on a surface, place cushions nearby and have someone guard the baby for maximum safety.

Take close-up and detailed photos

Close-up photos highlight the newborn stage, as these often display the difference in the size of the mom and baby’s fingers, eyes, and other features.

To get detailed photos, buy a special camera lens like a macro lens. This tool manipulates the depth of field and provides better access to subjects, no matter if they’re near or microscopic. You can use this with any camera, like a DSLR or mirrorless model, and get an adapter for a better fit. Macro lenses, in particular, increase the magnification of the subject to make it appear bigger and enhance its details. This way, you’ll capture the mom and baby’s fingerprints or the pigmented rings on their irises. The Sigma 105mm macro lens for the Nikon F is a great option, as it focuses down to a 1:1 magnification ratio. So, don’t forget to use a macro lens for the session!

Opt for soft lighting

Newborns are sensitive to bright light. If exposed to flashes and harsh studio lights, they will refuse to open their eyes for “awake” poses and may show their discomfort in the photos by frowning.

Prevent this by opting for  softbox lights  during the shoot. It provides more natural and pleasing lighting, and its increasing market size shows that it is preferred by many photographers. The Manfrotto Ezybox Hotshoe kit is highly portable and can be assembled within minutes for shoots that need to be done in hospitals or at home. By using softboxes, you get well-lit photos without disturbing the newborn.

Use a pacifier in between shots

It’s normal for newborns to get restless. To keep them calm, use a pacifier in between shots. This will prevent them from crying and moving around too much, mainly when you’re trying to change their pose. Still, remember not to force it into their mouths because they may choke or they’re crying because of other reasons—like hunger.

However, it’s important to note that only newborns three weeks old and above are advised to use pacifiers. That’s because they should have already settled into a nursing routine by this time. Consider the NUK orthodontic pacifier, as it is specifically shaped and designed for newborns. It also mimics a nipple to help keep them calm, so you can take photos with your newborn, making the best and cutest expressions.

Newborns can be challenging to photograph since they can sometimes get restless. Aside from practicing care and patience, remember these tips to take the best newborn photos.