Adorable Newborn Photo Ideas to DIY with Ease

There's nothing quite like those beautiful, blurry days after your baby's arrival. Every tiny stretch yawn, and sneeze feels like a gift. It's no wonder newborn photography has gained popularity. At Baby Notebook, we want to help you preserve all those sweet firsts with ease. Check out these newborn photo ideas that you can DIY!

A baby sleeps on a bed during a newborn photo shoot.

8 Newborn Photo Ideas to DIY

1. The Tiny Details

Your baby will grow faster than you can imagine. Take the time to document the little details that change fast. Some newborn photo ideas that you'll love to have for your baby book include closeups of:

  • Little hands 
  • Curled up toes
  • Soft eyelashes
  • That perfect button nose

These images preserve how small and precious your baby is in their earliest days.

A newborn baby lies beside a stuffed animal.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

Natural light is best for photographing your baby's delicate details without harsh shadows. Position your baby near a window to get the best natural light while indoors.

2. Swaddled and Cozy

You'll see swaddles on almost any list of newborn photo ideas for a good reason: Most newborns love to be swaddled! It keeps them warm and calm.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

Choose a soft, neutral-colored swaddle to keep the focus on your little one's sweet face.

3. Sweet Stretches and Yawns

Is there anything cuter than a newborn stretching out their little limbs or giving a big, sleepy yawn? These moments of relaxation feel especially sweet in the hectic early days of parenting.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

Keep your phone nearby when your baby is waking up. Removing baby's swaddle always cued my little one to yawn and stretch. 

4. Cuddles with Parents

Your heart will melt when you hold your newborn in your arms. Document these beautiful, intimate moments with photos. Photograph forehead kisses, gentle snuggles, or your baby sleeping soundly on your chest. These moments make timeless photos.

A mother and father cuddle a newborn on a couch for a memory book photo.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

Use a tripod to take a photo with your partner and your newborn.

5. Tiny Hands Holding Yours

Sometimes the simplest images are the most powerful. One of our favorite newborn photo ideas is an image of your baby grasping your finger. It's a beautiful way to showcase how tiny they are before they start outgrowing those first onesies. 

A toddler holds a baby's hand.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

Use portrait mode on your phone to blur the background and bring the focus to those tiny fingers.

6. Sibling Bonding Moments

If you have an older child, include them in your newborn photo ideas. It makes for heartwarming images and gives your older child a positive experience as they adjust to their role as a sibling. Photograph your older child holding the baby (with support), kissing their forehead, or peeking into the crib.

A toddler peeks at a newborn in a crib.

💡DIY Tip 💡

Candid, affectionate moments work best for sibling photos. Let toddlers interact naturally with their new sibling by giving them a soft toy or blanket to “help” with the baby.

7. A Cozy Blanket

Place your newborn on a soft blanket for a simple but sweet setting. You can add in a sentimental stuffed animal or family heirloom to personalize the photo.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

If family or friends gave you blankets for your baby shower, now is the perfect time to bring them out and show your gratitude by photographing your newborn on them.

8. Photos around the Hospital

Fresh 48 photos are just what they sound like – images of your baby's first two days. For most people, that means documenting your baby's arrival in a hospital. Photograph your baby in the bassinet, their hospital bracelet, and your first cuddles as a family.

 💡DIY Tip 💡

We collaborated with newborn photographer Meredith McKee on a free Fresh 48 Photo Guide. Download it and tuck it in your hospital back so you're ready to photograph your baby's first hours.

Preserving Your Newborn Photos in a Custom Baby Book

Settling on your favorite newborn photo ideas is just the first step in preserving this special time. So many parents let their camera rolls fill up with thousands of precious images that end up collecting digital dust. We created Baby Notebook to make it easy for you to create a custom baby book right on your phone. 

Download the Baby Notebook app and create the first chapters of your custom Baby Book for free!

 

Thank you to Shyannah Cortner for these sweet newborn photos.