How to Capture Perfect Family Photos with a Newborn

At Kelly Tareski Photography, we know that capturing family pics with newborn babies is a magical experience. These precious moments are fleeting, and preserving them through photography is priceless.

In this guide, we’ll share our expert tips on how to create stunning family portraits with your newest addition. From preparation to posing, lighting, and camera settings, we’ve got you covered.

How to Prepare for Your Newborn Family Photo Session

Timing is Key

Schedule your newborn photo session within the first two weeks after birth. Babies sleep for longer stretches of time in these first couple weeks, which results in adorable curled-up images. Don’t worry if you miss this window; beautiful photos can still be captured at various ages.

Book your session during your second trimester to secure a date that accommodates your new family dynamic. This early planning increases your chances of getting a slot during the optimal newborn period.

Choose the Right Outfits

The selection of outfits significantly impacts the overall look of your family photos. Stick to a neutral color palette (whites, creams, light grays, and soft pastels). These colors complement each other and keep the focus on your family’s faces and interactions.

New moms should prioritize comfort. A flowy dress can make you feel beautiful and confident. Dads can opt for a simple button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves, paired with khakis or jeans. For siblings, coordinate outfits in similar tones.

Try to avoid busy patterns or bright colors that distract from the main subjects. Simple, timeless looks will age well in your family albums.

Create the Perfect Environment

Select areas in your home with plenty of natural light for your photo session. The typical lighting used with newborns is a 45 degree angle light. It is soft, sweet, and beautiful on babies.

Declutter the shooting areas in your home. This doesn’t require a spotless house – we want to capture your authentic family life. However, removing obvious distractions can create cleaner, more focused images.

When it comes to props, less is often more. A few meaningful items (such as a special blanket, a family heirloom, or a cherished stuffed animal) can add personal touches without overwhelming the photos. Remember, your beautiful new family is the star of the show – everything else plays a supporting role.

Prepare for Comfort

Ensure the room temperature is warm (75-78°F) for your newborn’s comfort. This helps keep the baby calm and content during the session.

Have necessities like diapers, wipes, and feeding supplies readily available. A well-fed and comfortable baby is more likely to cooperate during the shoot.

Plan for Flexibility

Newborns can be unpredictable. Allow extra time for feeding, changing, and soothing your baby. A relaxed atmosphere contributes to better photos and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

These preparation tips set the stage for a smooth, enjoyable photo session that results in timeless images. The next step is to master the art of posing, which can elevate your newborn family photos from good to extraordinary.

How to Pose for Newborn Family Photos

Posing for newborn family photos requires a balance of safety, comfort, and aesthetics. We’ve perfected techniques that ensure stunning images while prioritizing your baby’s well-being.

Newborn Safety First

When you pose your newborn, safety must come first. Always support the baby’s head and neck. Avoid complex poses that could strain the infant. Instead, focus on natural positions that your baby assumes. A simple pose of the baby curled up on their side, mimicking the womb position, often yields beautiful results.

For added security, try the composite technique. This involves taking multiple shots with a parent’s hand supporting the baby, then editing the hand out in post-processing. This method allows for more elaborate poses without compromising safety.

Parent and Sibling Poses

Natural interactions make for the most compelling family photos. We encourage parents to hold their newborn close, gaze at them adoringly, or give gentle kisses. These authentic moments capture the essence of your new family dynamic.

For siblings, we suggest they sit next to the baby or gently hold their new brother or sister (with parental supervision). Candid shots of siblings interacting with the newborn often result in heartwarming images.

Creating Intimate Group Shots

Family group shots should feel intimate and connected. We recommend you position family members close together, with the newborn as the focal point. A popular pose is having parents lie on a bed with the baby between them, or sitting together on a couch with siblings gathered around.

Don’t fear getting close. Tight framing emphasizes the emotional connection between family members. We often use a 50mm lens to capture these intimate moments, as it’s perfect for capturing facial expressions, emotions, and the intricate details of newborn features.

Embracing Imperfection

Not every shot needs to be picture-perfect. Some of the most cherished images come from unplanned moments – a yawn, a stretch, or even a cry. These authentic captures tell the true story of life with a newborn.

A relaxed approach yields the best results. Take breaks as needed and never rush the process. This patience allows you to capture those fleeting, magical moments that make newborn photography so special.

Now that we’ve covered posing techniques, let’s explore how to use lighting and camera settings to enhance these precious images and create truly stunning newborn family photos.

Mastering Light for Newborn Family Photos

Harnessing Natural Light

Natural light transforms newborn family photos. Soft, diffused light is ideal for a newborn’s delicate skin, creating a gentle illumination. We recommend shooting near large windows or glass doors during golden hours (shortly after sunrise or before sunset). This timing provides magical light quality.

North-facing windows offer consistent, diffused light throughout the day for indoor shoots. If the light becomes too harsh, use sheer curtains to soften it. Position your family at a 45-degree angle to the window. This angle creates beautiful shadows that add depth to your images.

Camera Settings for Perfect Exposure

Indoor shoots often require a wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider). This setting allows more light and creates a soft, dreamy background blur, drawing attention to your family and newborn.

For shutter speed, we recommend at least 1/125th of a second to freeze slight movements. Handheld shooting might necessitate an increase to 1/250th or higher to avoid camera shake.

ISO completes the exposure triangle. Start at ISO 400 and adjust as needed, balancing light requirements with digital noise minimization. Modern cameras produce clean images at higher ISOs (up to 1600 or even 3200 if necessary).

Artificial Lighting Techniques

Sometimes natural light proves insufficient. In these cases, artificial lighting becomes necessary. The idea is to have a large amount of soft light that wraps around your newborn subject, rather than an intense beam of harsh light.

For a more professional setup, use a large softbox positioned at a 45-degree angle to the family. This creates beautiful, soft shadows that add depth and dimension to your photos.

Experimenting with Light

The key to great lighting lies in practice and experimentation. Try different techniques and embrace mistakes. With time and patience, you’ll develop an eye for light that will elevate your portraits to a new level.

Final Thoughts

Family pics with newborns capture precious early moments of your growing family. You can create stunning images by selecting the right time, outfits, and environment for your shoot. Natural poses and candid interactions often result in the most cherished photographs.

Lighting plays a vital role in newborn photography. Use natural light when possible and adjust camera settings for perfect exposure. Patience and flexibility will help you navigate the unpredictable nature of working with babies.

We at Kelly Tareski Photography specialize in creating stress-free, enjoyable experiences for families in Spokane, Washington. Our personalized approach (with over 20 years of experience) ensures your newborn family photos will be as unique and special as your new addition.