So, you have a new baby in the house, and aside from being terrified at the prospect of being a new parent, you're also overcome with love for this little person that you've brought into the world.
But they don't stay little for long...trust me!
One of the best ways to preserve the memories of your child in their first days of life is to document their growth with your camera.
But sometimes it can be a little confusing to understand how to make the most out of the photos you take of your baby.
With these newborn photography tips, though, you'll be able to create more impactful photos that you can cherish for decades to come.
Timing is Everything
There are a couple of elements to the timing issue.
First, for newborn photos, taking them within the first couple of weeks after birth is ideal.
During this time period, babies sleep even more than normal, and a sleeping newborn is much, much easier to photograph than one that's awake and fussy!
But taking newborn photos too early is also a concern because the umbilical cord needs time to fall off. That usually occurs within the first week.
So, for the perfect timing, strive to take photos of your baby in the second week.
Learn More:
- 8 Common Mistakes Photographers Make When Printing Their Photos
- How to Know if Your Photo is Good or Not
Safety is Paramount
Obviously, your baby is a fragile little thing, so you need to take precautions when setting up a newborn photo shoot.
Not only does the room need to be warm enough, but you also need to have bumpers, blankets, foam pads or other items that you can use to prop your baby up and give its head and neck the support it needs.
Place bumpers and pads under your baby's head, neck, and back, as well as behind and in front of your baby to prevent them from rolling backward or forward.
You can cover the bumpers with a blanket or piece of fabric so they go unseen.
Try Different Poses
The great thing about photographing a newborn is that they will be sleep (hopefully!) throughout the entire photo shoot.
Another great thing about newborns is that they are incredibly moldable, so you can move their arms and legs, place them on their back, front, or sides, and do so without waking them up.
That being the case, try different poses with your baby to get as many unique views of them as possible.
Don't just opt for traditional newborn photos of your baby on its back or side, either.
Images like the one above that highlight the baby's feet, hands, or cubby leg rolls, and so forth can make for fun and precious memories, too!
Learn More:
- 3 Beginner Photography Mistakes That are Ruining Your Photos
- How to Choose What Images You Make Into Prints
Include Other People
Incorporating yourself, your significant other, other kids, and loved ones in your newborn's photos is a great way to highlight the relationship between your new baby and his or her family.
Showing off these relationships gives your newborn photos an extra layer of meaning, with obvious love and joy in the shot to go along with the beautiful new addition to the family.
But, again, try to get a little creative here in the manner in which you incorporate other people.
For example, you can include just your hand in the shot, as shown above, or take a photo from behind as your significant other holds the baby.
Not every portrait needs to show everyone's face or full body, so get creative!
Get Your Photos Printed
It's all well and good to take a million photos of your newborn, but you need to actually do something with those photos.
I'm a big advocate of getting prints because it makes the photo come to life in a way that's impossible when viewing it on a computer screen.
A print, particularly something like a large canvas print, gives you a tactile experience of viewing the photos you take. It's real, it's on your wall, and you can reach out and touch it.
And in the case of canvas, you can feel the texture of the canvas, which brings the image to life that much more.
When printing your photos on a large format canvas, you need to keep a number of things in mind.
First, not all canvases are the same, nor are all printing companies the same. That means you need to do some due diligence and select a printer with a reputation for quality.
I've ordered a number of canvas prints of my son from CanvasHQ, and I can tell you that they surpass the quality of any canvases I've purchased in the past.
Great service. Canvas and print quality is very good, and the framing is done very well. We will definitely be ordering more. - Ed V., Spencer, IA
CanvasHQ is committed to quality, which is evident in the materials they use and the construction of their canvases as well.
They back their work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, too, so if there's a problem, you can get a new print or a full refund within 30 days.
Beyond that, CanvasHQ gives you tons of customization options so you can get a canvas that's just right for you.
Choose from a variety of canvas frame depths and different canvas finishes to tailor your print to your style.
Great work on the canvas. I am quite impressed with your touch up and refining skills. Thank you. I highly recommend Canvas HQ. Fast delivery as well. - Kim S., Boerne, TX
You can choose from a wide range of canvas sizes as well, giving you the ability to get a print for any sized space.
CanvasHQ is a family-owned business, too, so you know that they'll put in the time and effort to get you the best print of your baby.
In other words, getting a high-quality print of your newborn photography isn't an option in my mind, it's a must.
You want to be able to enjoy the photos of your newborn and remember what they were like when they first came into this world.
What better way to do that than to have your newborn photos printed on canvas for display on your wall?