Capturing Baby’s First Thanksgiving Photos

Every five or six years, my birthday falls on Thanksgiving, and 2024 is one of those years. At 28(+14) years old, I still have mixed feelings about sharing my special day – there’s something about a candle stuck in pumpkin pie that just doesn’t quite feel right. But I’ve grown to appreciate how Thanksgiving brings together the things I love most: family, food, and creating memories.

If you’re welcoming your first Thanksgiving with a new baby, you’re probably planning a cozy celebration at home. This is the perfect opportunity to capture baby’s first thanksgiving photos with your loved ones. Let me share some tried-and-true tips for photographing babies of different ages during this grateful season.

Setting Up Baby’s First Thanksgiving Photos for Success

Lighting Is Everything

Position your baby near a window during the daytime festivities. Natural light is your best friend for photography, especially if you’re using your phone. Avoid using flash, which can startle your little one and create harsh shadows and flat lighting. That gorgeous late autumn light streaming through windows creates perfect natural lighting between 10am-2pm or outdoors about an hour before sunset.

Create a Simple Setup

Choose a clean, uncluttered background. A solid-colored blanket or the back of a dining room chair works perfectly. For those with slightly older babies, those beautiful fall leaves in your backyard can make a perfect natural backdrop too! Just remember to keep safety in mind – always have someone spotting baby during outdoor photos.

Time it Right

Plan your photo session around your baby’s best time of day. A well-rested, well-fed baby makes for better photos! Consider taking photos before the big meal when your little one is fresh and happy. We all know how turkey makes us sleepy – the same goes for our little ones!

Newborn Sweetness (0-3 months)

Having photographed countless newborns in my studio, I’ve learned that simple setups often create the most magical holiday photos. Let’s start with an easy DIY wrap: Find a stretchy piece of fabric from your local craft store in autumn tones like deep greens, rustic orange, or rich brown. You’ll want about half a yard in a long strip rather than a square. (You can also use a stretchy scarf!)

Quick Wrapping Guide: (watch this video to see how it’s done!)

• Position the wrap behind baby’s back, short end on your right
• Take the two sides of the wrap and tie a tiny knot holding their feet in place
• Cross the short right side over their midsection, tucking behind the back
• Take the long end over their right shoulder, down and around their bottom.
• Pull around the baby’s side and now go up across belly to the left shoulder
• Go around the back of the shoulders and pull the wrap across the midsection to the left hip.
• Create a criss-cross pattern until you reach the end of the wrap, tucking it in.

Photograph baby from above, holding your camera tightly with two hands. If you have a camera strap, use it!

Decorative tip: Grab a few mini pumpkins or indian corn from the grocery store. They’re perfect for scale photos showing just how tiny your little one is. Place them all around (never on) your wrapped baby for a festive touch or create a little background setup with dried leaves from the yard.

A Note on Safety First

• Never place babies in breakable props or containers. We know a casserole dish sounds cute, but it’s really just not safe.
• Never balance or prop baby on any raised surfaces.

Instead try these safe, creative ideas:

• Layer fall-colored scarves as wraps – look for soft plaids or cozy knits
• Create simple ground-level setups with seasonal blankets over the top of a boppy or rolled up towel
• Look for stretchy fabric (like jersey knits) at craft stores in seasonal colors

psst…Want to learn more about safely photographing your newborn? Check out my DIY Newborn Course where I’ll teach you how to capture beautiful images using just your phone camera and items you already have at home.

The Sitting Sweet Spot (4-8 months)

My oldest was sitting independently by his first Thanksgiving, and nature provided the perfect backdrop. On a crisp fall evening, just as the sun was setting and casting that magical golden light, we captured him playing in the fallen leaves in our yard. I’m sorry to say I can’t share these photos because my son later shoved a pen in my hard drive when he was three, completely shorting it out – but the memory of that golden evening remains vivid – learn from my experience and back up your photos in multiple places!

For sitting babies, try these simple setups:

• Create a mini pumpkin patch with a cozy blanket base
• Capture first tastes of mashed potatoes (keep the camera ready!) or if you’re really adventurous give them a bowl of mashed taters to play with and see what happens!
• If you’re a football fan be sure to snag a picture of them supporting their favorite team. (There are so many pictures of my kids in Oregon and Washington jerseys because we are a house divided – go ducks!) 
• or keep it simple and choose an outfit in an adorable fall color surrounded by nature

Make the most of candid kitchen moments too! Take turns holding baby and have your partner snap some photos. Turn on some holiday tunes and dance through the kitchen together – nothing brings out those genuine baby giggles like a silly dance party!

Mobile Adventurers (9-12 months)

At this adventurous age, focus on capturing authentic moments throughout the day. Set up simple backgrounds using fall decor and let your little one interact naturally. Photograph them:

• Watching the cooking action from a safe distance
• Capture authentic moments of discovery
• Document family interactions
• Get those tiny hands reaching for treats

Universal Tips for All Ages

No matter your baby’s age, remember:

• Use natural window light whenever possible
• Get down on their level and play (or up above them photographing down for newborns!)
• Capture both posed and candid moments
• Include family members, particularly grandparents!
• Document reactions to new experiences

Most importantly, don’t forget to put the camera down sometimes and just soak in the moment. These days fly by so quickly, and while I may have lost some of those early photos to a curious toddler’s “improvements,” to my hard drive- the memories remain.

Technical Tips for Better Photos

Phone Photography Basics

• Clean your phone lens before shooting
• Tap on baby’s face on your screen to focus
• Shoot from slightly above for the most flattering angle
• Take multiple shots quickly (babies move fast!)
• Avoid using zoom – move closer instead

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Avoid busy patterns in the background
• Skip the fancy filters – natural is better for memories
• Remember to capture both close-ups and wider shots

Looking Ahead to Winter Holidays

While Thanksgiving photos are perfect for DIY moments, consider professional photos for the winter holidays. As magical as those first holiday moments are, the lighting challenges of twinkling lights and indoor winter settings can be tricky to capture. Plus, you’ll want to be in the photos too!

For now, focus on enjoying your baby’s first Thanksgiving and capturing those sweet moments with these tips. But when you’re ready to plan those winter holiday photos, reach out to us. We’d love to help create professional portraits that will become treasured family heirlooms.

Ready to capture beautiful images of your new baby, no matter the season? Don’t forget to check out our DIY Newborn Photography Course to learn everything you need to know about safely photographing your baby at home. Learn professional techniques using just your phone camera and items you already own. From proper positioning to finding the best light in your home, you’ll gain the skills to document these precious early days with confidence.