When I was at the hospital, a photographer from mom365 came by. She wanted to do a newborn photo shoot with my baby. I am a hobby photographer, and had brought my camera, but I was tired and I wasn’t obliged to buy anything, so I agreed.

I’m so glad I did.

While I paid a lot for the beautiful photos of my baby, I will treasure those pictures forever. Still hormonal from pregnancy and delivery, I cried when she did her reveal. What was even better was that I picked up some great baby photography ideas that I have used many times since!

1. Never underestimate the power of a white sheet.

It is a simple and easy backdrop that always complements your child. The photographer used several pillows to create a soft “bed” for the baby and covered them with a sheet. The result was simple, yet elegantly effective.

2. Get close.

What feature don’t you love on your little baby? Everything is just so cute, so why not try to capture it? Pictures of their hands, feet and eyelashes are close ups you will cherish forever. Simple cameras should be set to the portrait setting so the focus is where you want it.

3. Go with the flow.

Chances are your little one won’t do what you want or expect at some point. My little boy was fast asleep, but he was wide eyed by the time the shoot was over. While this is not the norm for a newborn photo shoot, the result was just as adorable. When your little one strays from your script, keep shooting. It may turn out better than you had planned!

4. Use natural light.

There was a large window in our room, and the photographer set my baby where he could gently bask in the glow of indirect sunlight. Using sunlight will help create some of the best pictures.

If it is a bright, sunny day, sitting by a window will help diffuse the light for a more flattering glow. If you are taking pictures outside, take them during a cloudy day or within an hour of sunrise or sunset on a sunny day for optimal lighting.

I follow Modern Baby Photography on Facebook for ideas. She has a beautiful aesthetic that I find inspiring.

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Your baby grows up so fast, you’ll want every haphazard picture you take so you can remember just how small they were to begin with.