Getting the first and best pics of your little bundle of joy can get pretty expensive with hospital, newborn, yearly, and other photo shoots. If you follow me on Instagram (which if you don't, then you should!) you have probably seen the pics I take of McKenna each month, which I take right in the comfort of our home! This is a great way to cut down on those photo shoot costs, but still get great pictures of your baby's first year. Here are 6 tips for taking the best monthly milestone photos at home!
- Make sure baby is comfortable. Try not to take pictures during nap or feeding time. A cranky baby is an uncooperative baby! I made the mistake of shooting the photo below before feeding McKenna and she was NOT a happy camper the whole time. I was lucky enough to get a couple of photos without her frowning up at me.
McKenna at 3 months - Think outside the box for props. Monthly milestone blocks, blankets, and stickers are no-brainers, but be on the lookout for items that will make your photos one-of-a-kind! I personally use these monthly milestone socks for McKenna's photos (thank you to whoever gifted these at our baby shower!), but I also love the idea of using personalized chalkboards or letter boards for a more unique, personal touch.
- Keep outfits simple. White onesies are my favorite outfits for photos because they go with EVERYTHING! They also eliminate the need for a new outfit every month (totally your choice!).
- Experiment with different backgrounds. Add a pop of color or an interesting pattern. Switch out backgrounds depending on the season or holidays. My choice of backgrounds depends on the color of the monthly milestone socks I have to use for that particular month. I love that each pair is distinct, so I have to get creative with the backgrounds. I've used blankets, this gold polka dotted crib sheet, and striped rug in recent shoots.
McKenna at 2 months McKenna at 4 months - Natural light is your friend. Try to take photos near a big window or in a room with tons of natural light shining in.
- No camera? No problem! I use my iPhone 7 to take photos and edit them using VSCO and Lightroom CC. It makes sharing the photos so much easier. You don't need a lot of fancy equipment to take great photos!