"My first baby came five weeks early, so scheduling the newborn photoshoot fell off my priority list as my husband and I navigated new parent life from the NICU. But I still wanted to capture her tininess, so once she left the hospital, I laid out a white quilt and did my own newborn photoshoot at home. I took hundreds of photos. It was fun, it was adorable… it was free! Newborn photoshoots can cost hundreds of dollars (or more!), and many budget-conscious new parents—and helpful photographers—are taking to TikTok to share how to take your own newborn photos at home.
With everything feeling so expensive right now—from groceries to child care—we want to help new parents save where they can. If you’re considering taking your newborn photos at home, we’re sharing some tips from viral TikToks and professional photographers to help you capture this precious moment.
Newborn Photoshoot Tips Going Viral
TikTok user @aashaaa13 shared her newborn photoshoot setup with the caption, “Watch me save $400 and do my newborn photos myself.” She shares in the video that she did shell out the money for a professional newborn photoshoot for her first baby but chose to save money with a DIY version for her second baby (sorry, second kids!).
She followed up with a few helpful comments like, “The only thing I would recommend is looking up how to pose them prior to setting up. That was the only hard part. i got a lot of awkward ones 😂”
Another TikTok creator @mummysflippinhouse shared her newborn photography tips in a viral video with tens of thousands of views, saying all you need is “your iPhone, natural light, a pillow, a sheet, and Lightroom.”
Commenters on both videos shared gratitude for the tips, plus some tips of their own. “Newborn photographer here, top of the head goes towards the light source for more flattering light! These are adorable! 🥰” shared commenter Kelsey Disney.
“From a photographer. Great job on the set up and usage of natural lighting!” wrote Brandice Garcia.
Others shared how much they spent on newborn photography. “I spent $700 on my maternity session and $600 for his nb session and for his 1yr another $600😅 but totally worth it.” commented @Mari.
The original creator @aashaaa13 had nothing but good things to say about the quality of professional photography, “Not gonna lie my first sons professional pictures were beautiful but we just couldn’t pay those prices again”
Photographer Tips for Taking Newborn Photos at Home
So, for those also looking for a budget option for newborn photography, here are tips from professional photographers on taking your own newborn photos at home.
Kim Hoover, Photographer
Kim Hoover is the owner of Michigan-based Apple of Our Eye Photo and has been capturing memories as a professional photographer for over 11 years.
Thao Lai, Photographer
Thao Lai is a family photographer based in West Michigan. A mom of three, Lai has been capturing memories and moments for families since 2010 building in her philosophy of family storyteller and legacy-builder into all of her client’s sessions.
1. Keep Set-Up Simple in a Spot With Natural Light
“You can take pictures any time of day, as long as you have a soft, natural light source nearby,” said Kim Hoover, the owner of Apple of Our Eye Photography.
She recommended keeping the background simple, like using an ottoman or bed. White bedding or blankets with texture can be your base. Less is more when it comes to simplifying your shoot and keeping the focus on your baby.
2. Think About Timing and Temperature
“Babies tend to be most relaxed right after a feeding,” Hoover said. For an easy and natural look (and an easy transfer from feeding to the photoshoot), she recommended feeding your baby in only a diaper and wrapping them in the swaddle you plan to use.
Turning up the heat a few degrees was recommended by all photographers. Having a space heater nearby or adding white noise can aid in the baby’s comfort and, hopefully, their cooperation. But don’t be afraid to take breaks if you or the baby needs it, said photographer Thao Lai, referencing her own experience as a postpartum mom trying to take newborn pictures of her daughter. “It was shoot for 10 minutes, stop if she was crying or wanted to nurse, and pick it back up when we were both ready to get back into the moment,” she said.
3. Use Baby-Led Posing
Hoover cautions against using adorable Pinterest poses as a guide for posing your own baby. “Unless you’ve been trained in newborn safety, do NOT attempt to replicate any poses you see,” she said.
Instead, let your baby lead. “At only a few days old, these little ones will let you know what they are comfortable with. Focus on the details of their littleness now and save the creativity for later.” She also suggested having rolled-up bath towels or washcloths on hand to use under blankets or swaddles to help with positioning.
4. Move Around
Once you get baby in place, Lai recommended moving around your baby. “Shoot from above, from all sides, get the details of their toes, their fingers, the top of their head,” she said.
If your baby is still cooperating, you can pull back to take in more of the scene. “I always take shots of the environment first, so I don’t miss the moment as it is, but then I’ll remove distractions like toys or the pile of burp rags out of the frame and retake the images,” Lai said. “Sometimes, I’ll invite the siblings into the frame, or they wander in, and I go with it.”
5. Get Yourself in the Picture
Every mom probably has thousands of pictures of their babies on their phone, but down the road, your kids are going to want to see you in their baby pictures, too. Lai understands as a mother of three herself. “As difficult as it is and as much as you might not want to be in the frame, get in it anyway!” she said. Self-timers, tripods, remotes, or having your partner assist can help.
“There is more grace and patience needed when you’re the photographer and the subject, so be kind to yourself,” she added. “With my own daughter, I was intentional about taking pictures with my hand in the frame to show just how teeny tiny she was. I cherish these images with part or all of me in them because I am just as much part of their story.”
6. Remember Imperfect Is OK
The everyday, real moments matter, too. “’Perfect’ newborn shots in the nursery are always idealized, but don’t forget to remember what it’s like right now, exactly where you are,” Lai said. “These kinds of photos don’t require so much preparation.” Plus, you’ll love looking back on them.
“Have the camera ready and shoot often!” Lai said. “Having the photos is more important than waiting for the perfect setting and light.”
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.