We’re living in a crazy time right now during the 2020 Coronavirus Quarantine. For those mamas who have recently had their baby and cannot get their newborn photo sessions done due to the 2020 quarantine, we have written this blog post on How to DIY Your Newborn Photo Session.

While newborn photography is a learned skill that we photographers take years to perfect, there are still so many ways you can capture this tiny new life yourself, without putting you or your photographer’s family at risk.  Check out our tips below for photographing your newborn safely so you don’t miss out on this milestone stage. Once we get the all clear, you should definitely use your reschedule option to capture the next milestone with your professional photographer!

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The Stuffed Animal Pose

1. Get your receiving blankets out, those Aden + Anais blankets you got for your baby shower are awesome. Yes, the Target brand blankets with the simple colored stripes will work great as well. Wrap your baby up, practice those swaddling skills you learned in the hospital, but if you can’t get it perfect, don’t stress, just get that baby wrapped!
2. Find a couple of cute stuffed animals, maybe something that fits with your nursery theme. Bonus if the stuffed animal coordinates with one of your receiving blankets, like this adorable plush elephant!
3. Find a spot in your home that gets great light through a window. Clear the floor and lay your wrapped baby down next to one of the stuffies you found. Stand up above baby and snap a picture looking down on him. (If you have a camera strap, be sure to wrap it around your wrist or put it over your neck so you don’t risk dropping it on baby.)
4. It doesn’t matter if they are not sleeping, sometimes babies make the cutest facial expressions when they are wide awake!

The Natural Element

1. Rummage your home decor and find a natural or botanical element. Think potted plants, a tall vase with elephant leaf stems or faux flowers.

2. Lay your receiving blanket out on the floor and put your stuffed animal down on top of the blanket. Place your natural element from step 1 in the upper corner of the blanket then lay your unwrapped baby on the blanket next to the stuffed animal.

3. Snap a picture of your baby from above, try to get some of the potted plant or faux flowers in the picture too.

Rumparooz One-Size Cloth Diaper Cover

4. If you don’t have a potted plant or faux flowers, another option is a wreath, like this magnolia wreath. Lay your wreath on a receiving blanket and place your wrapped baby in the center of the wreath. Be sure your baby is wrapped for this pose so you don’t scratch him with any of the wreath details.

5. Snap a picture of your baby from above, be sure to get the whole wreath in the shot. Don’t forget to always put the camera strap around your wrist or neck so you don’t drop the camera on your little one!

The Baby on the Bed Shot

1. If you have a diaper cover, put one on over your baby’s diaper (I used the Rumparooz One-Size Cloth Diaper Cover). If not, find a pair of baby pants (boy) bloomers (girl) from one of those cute outfits your aunt got you.
2. Make your bed. I know, this is not something you want to do after you’ve just had a baby, but let’s do it just for today! Clear anything big off your nightstands so they aren’t in the background of your picture.
3. Lay your baby on their tummy with his face turned toward you, placing him in the center of the bed. Make sure his hands aren’t in front of his face.
4. Stand at the foot of the bed, getting down to eye level with your baby. Snap a picture straight on, then get a little closer and snap another picture of just baby’s face.
   The Family Photo

1. Set your camera on a 30 second timer and place it on a tripod (or a makeshift tripod by bringing a table or boxes in to set the camera on).

2. Have your hubby or older sibling sit on the bed near the pillows and make sure the camera is at eye level with them.

3. Hit the camera button and go sit on the bed with hubby and baby. Look at your husband and tell him to look at you or both of you can look at your baby.

The Details Shot

1. Lay baby on the bed on his back and zoom in on his little baby mohawk.

2. While your baby is laying on your bed, have your hubby hold baby’s feet in his hands then snap a close up picture.

The Dad and Baby Photo

1. Have dad stand in front of a window that has lots of light pouring in and hold baby. Tell him to look down at his baby.

2. Or have him sit in a chair and touch his nose to baby’s nose.

The Mom and Baby Pose

1. Lay on your side on your sofa, propping yourself up on your elbow and hold baby in your arms.

2. Have hubby or grandma take a picture of you looking down at your baby. Be sure to capture as much of your whole body in this picture as you can.  If you don’t have someone to take this picture for you, put your camera on a timer and set it up on the coffee table; make sure the camera is eye level with you.

3. Or sit in a chair near a window with lots of natural light and hold baby in your arms facing you. Touch noses.

4. Have dad snap a picture from waist up.

5. Put your camera on a tripod or your dresser and set it on a timer (or get dad to handle the camera for you). Lay on your side on the bed facing baby and just look at her gorgeous little face! Super comfy Floral Kimono in White.

6. Get a couple of variations of this pose by moving yourself around. Next, try sitting on your knees holding your baby facing you.

Floral Kimono in White

We hope you have fun with these DIY newborn photography tips and enjoy this special time with your baby! Just because we are in lockdown mode, doesn’t mean you have to miss this opportunity to capture the newborn stage in pictures. When we’re all clear, be sure to get your rescheduled photo session on the books with Blue Sugar Photography! You can schedule your milestone or family session with us here.