A Perfect Guide to Photographing Your Baby

Maureen Howard
Nov 8 · 3 min read

Any parent can tell you that your time with your baby flies by in the blink of an eye. One way to hold onto the magic of those days and months is to capture treasured photos, so read on for pro tips on how to take the best possible baby photos at home.

Light Is Everything

Any photographer can tell you that if you want excellent photos, it’s all about the lighting. Take your baby around your home and take pictures in various settings and compare the lighting in the photos. Once you’ve found a spot with great light, use it to your advantage. Open up windows to get that lovely natural light or take your baby outdoors during the golden hour — that hour right after sunrise or right before sunset — to get that warm, soft glow that makes for perfect pictures.

Create a Photogenic Backdrop

The background of your photos can make all the difference in the world between blah and brilliant. If you look at professional-looking baby pictures, you’ll notice that they don’t have busy backgrounds, views of clutter, or unnecessary items. If you’re taking pictures indoors, try to keep the backdrop as photogenic and simple as possible. A solid, draped sheet can be perfect. Otherwise, find blank walls, drape blankets in solid colors, crop out everything but your comforter, or use plain wrapping paper to create a simple, clutter-free backdrop. The less mess and noise, the more the eye is drawn to your adorable baby.

Add Perspective

One fun way to up your baby picture game is to add a little perspective to the photos to track your baby’s progress over time. Use consistently sized numbers to track your baby’s age in months, use the same stuffed animal from birth to track your baby’s growth in comparison, or take photos with a beloved pet to show that your baby is growing and developing. Viewed together, these photos will tell a far more detailed story than photos with nothing to add that perspective.

Move Your Body to Get the Right Shot

One major mistake that parents make when trying to capture the perfect moment is taking the photo from the wrong angle. If you look through your gallery, are all the photos taken from parent-height? Photos taken from up high of your baby down on the floor will rarely make a statement. Instead, move your body to get more interesting angles of your child. Try things such as setting the camera or phone on the floor next to your baby, kneeling or crouching down to get on the same level as your sitting child, or getting up close and personal with details such as toes or lips with other parts of your baby serving as the background.

Capture Everyday Moments

While those portraits are something you’ll treasure forever, don’t forget to capture the everyday moments as well. As the years go by, you’ll love to look back at the pictures of your baby playing with their favorite toy, reading a book in your lap, sleeping in their Magic Sleepsuit, or trying a new food for the first time.

A Happy Baby Is a Photogenic Baby

Of course, the subject of your photos needs to be in a cooperative mood if you want to get those angelic, swoonworthy photos that you’ll look back on for years to come. A happy baby is a photogenic baby, so make sure your little love is comfortable, fed, and well-rested.

To find picture-perfect baby shower gift ideas, check out the sleepsuits available from the Baby Merlin Company today!

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