Welcoming a newborn into the world is one of the most beautiful and life-changing experiences a family can go through. Capturing these precious moments through newborn photography can help parents treasure and remember these special times for a lifetime. Not only can it provide stunning photos to display and share, but it can also serve as a way to document the growth and development of a child.
You’ve probably seen this trend on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and if you’re anything like us then you totally love it! Taking one high quality photo of your baby every month for their first twelve months has become a norm for new moms. The cutest “month by month” pictures, though, are the ones that have some kind of backdrop, staging, or set up.
In this article, we will explore various newborn photoshoot ideas and the importance of documenting this special time in a family’s life. We’ll also provide tips for preparing for a newborn photoshoot and working with a photographer to capture the perfect shots.
Newborn Photoshoot Ideas You Could Do at Home
Check out these adorable ideas for monthly pictures that you’ll love looking back on, but that aren’t too high maintenance so Baby will still cooperate and even have fun!
1. A chalkboard wall baby pic
Apartment Therapy‘s chalkboard wall idea is especially easy if you already have one in your kitchen or hallway for making to do lists! Grab some chalkboard paint, write the month’s number on the wall however you please, and set baby in a cute, comfy chair with a pillow or a toy.
2. A ribbon and a rocking chair – baby picture ideas
Choosing the same backdrop every time helps highlight just how much Baby has grown and changed each month compared to the last. Once you got a space you like (we really like Making it Lovely‘s rocking chair and bookshelf idea because it almost looks like a library), try using numbered award ribbons to mark out these months! Pin each onesie to a plain white t-shirt so it stands out.
3. Baby boy photoshoot ideas with fabric backgrounds
Sewing mamas rejoice, this idea is basically made for you! Each month, choose another brightly coloured or patterned fabric and lay Baby down wearing a plain white shirt or onesie.
Frame your picture so the edges are still within the pattern for the most cheerful looking shot. Once you’ve uploaded the pictures, use Photoshop or another editing program to add the month numbers onto baby’s belly.
It’s quick and simple for Baby and only one extra step for you!
4. A jumbo calendar for newborn photo ideas
Instead of marking the month numbers, how about keeping track of the actual months themselves? Use a large desk calendar, poster, or print out as your backdrop, just like the previous idea did with fabric. Apartment Therapy‘s idea shows you how to stage pictures that will help you remember what Baby looked like at each particular time of year without counting out which month was which number.
5. Simple candids in black and white for monthy baby pictures
Not everyone sets the scene and stages their monthly baby photos! Ahh Photography shows you how wonderful more candid photos with all kinds of settings and activities can be. As long as you remember to take one good quality shot a month, why not let Baby do whatever he feels like that day?
6. Plushie letters
Famille Summerbelle‘s simple idea lets you concentrate on facial expressions, which we think is absolutely adorable. Lay down a plain background, grab some felt or plushie letters from the craft store (or make them yourself!), and have a giggle with your little one!
7. A patterned wall and balloons
Are decor and staging totally your thing? Then a patterned backdrop and some balloons are the perfect tools for you! We really like Momtog‘s idea of subtly counting the months by adding another balloon to each picture.
8. Onesies on a clothesline
Whether you do it in multiples or month by month, we love Do It and How‘s idea of pinning numbered onesies along a clothes line and putting baby in the right one each month to mark her growth!
9. A chalkboard, a bench, and some milestones
Momtastic shows you how to take monthly pictures as an opportunity for documenting more than just facial features and growth spurts. Use a chalkboard to write down some key milestones Baby reached that month too!
10. A picture frame and a plushie friend
Choose a pretty picture frame and make or print inserts with the month on it so you can change it up easily. Pick a comfy spot, pick a comfy friend, and a snap cute pictures just like these ones we found on Pinterest!
11. Floral numbers
We think these floral numbers are absolutely stunning. Hello Lillybird shows you how to make them for pretty, feminine monthly pictures that are still decently low maintenance for both you and Baby.
12. A pillow and a pin
Choose a comfy spot, a comfy onesie, and a cute comfy pillow and then get crafting on some numbers pins! Pin each month right next to baby and pick your cutest shot, just like these ones featured on Parent Society.
13. A decorative frame and some pretty font
Perhaps your handwriting is lovely, or maybe you’d rather use a pretty cursive font that you can print. Either way, keeping your photos simple with a soft blanket and a decorative frame makes for classic photos, like these ones from Julie Blanner.
14. A simple timeline and a birthday hat
At the end of your month by month photo project, make a timeline collage like this one from Clickin’ Moms! This works best if you keep the outfit colour and backdrop the same until you reach the one year mark- then you can pop a birthday hat on Baby and enjoy the giggles!
15. 1 month baby photoshoot ideas at home
Party banners are easy to find in stores and easy to draw or sew yourself! Choose a space with a clear wall, hang your banner, and pick out a fancy outfit for baby each month! If you’re having trouble picking your favourite shot of the day, try collaging a few like Modern Pilgrim did.
Baby Photoshoot Ideas: Parting words
We know it’s just 15 baby photoshoot ideas, so we’d like to hear from you, creative peeps. Can you recommend another?
Hit us up in the comments below and let us know how things turned out for you and how great memories you have now.
