Best Newborn Photography Tips: 5 Smart Ways to Combine DIY and Professional Photos

When I first became pregnant with my oldest son, Crewe, I thought I had all the newborn photography tips I’d ever need since I was already a photographer—why would I need to hire someone else? Fast forward nine years and three boys later, and I’ve learned that DIY newborn photos and professional sessions each serve completely different purposes. The best part? You don’t have to choose just one.

Table of Contents

1. My DIY Newborn Photography Journey: From Disaster to Success
2. When DIY Photos Shine for New Parents
3. Why Professional Photography Matters
4. The Best of Both Worlds: Combining DIY Newborn Photos and Professional Sessions
5. Essential Newborn Photography Tips for Safe DIY Sessions

My DIY Newborn Photography Journey: From Disaster to Success

Let me paint you a picture of my journey through three pregnancies and how my approach to documenting these precious moments evolved each time.

Baby #1 – The “I’ve Got This” Phase: My first “maternity session” was laughably amateur: me, eight months pregnant in a green maternity t-shirt, using a tripod and timer while throwing a tennis ball for our Portuguese Water Dog, Mayla. I felt big, had pregnancy acne, and was wearing braces—I thought I looked awful. But 13 years later, I can’t go back and get those images, and I wish I had documented that time properly. When Crewe arrived, I was equally confident about his newborn photos. I mean, how hard could it be? I knew my way around a camera! What I didn’t realize is that newborn photography is an entirely different skill set. Those photos are… let’s just say they’re proof that you can’t simply set a baby down and expect magic to happen.

Baby #2 – The Learning Curve: By the time my second son, Blade, came along, I’d learned my lesson—partially. I hired a professional for maternity photos because I desperately wanted beautiful images of Crewe before he became a big brother. Those photos capture such a precious time that I can never recreate. When it came time for Blade’s newborn session, I tried to DIY his newborn photos myself and did slightly better, but they were still just “okay.”

Baby #3 – Finding the Perfect Balance: When my third son, Bowen, arrived, everything changed. I’d taken actual newborn photography classes and had photographed other families’ babies. I finally understood posing, safety, and lighting. I was able to capture beautiful images of him myself—but here’s the kicker: I still hired a professional for both maternity and newborn sessions. Because by then, I understood the true value of both approaches.

A Note About Inclusive Maternity Photography: A Note About Inclusive Maternity Photography: Through my years as a professional photographer and mom, I’ve learned something important about maternity sessions: it’s perfectly okay if not everyone can be involved. With my first pregnancy, I avoided professional photos partly because my husband wasn’t enthusiastic about getting pictures taken. I didn’t want to spend money on something he didn’t value or want to participate in. Looking back, I realize that just because he didn’t see the importance didn’t mean I shouldn’t have honored what mattered to me.

Sometimes partners aren’t comfortable being photographed, and that’s completely valid—but it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate this incredible journey your body is on. I’ve photographed countless beautiful solo maternity sessions where the focus is entirely on the expecting mother, and they’re absolutely stunning.

It’s also wonderful to include older children in maternity photos, creating meaningful images of them with your bump. Just recently, I photographed a beautiful mom whose husband is deployed. We created stunning images of her and her daughter together, documenting this special time so he could feel included in their pregnancy journey even from afar. Those photos became a precious way for the whole family to stay connected during his deployment.

When DIY Photos Shine for New Parents

Just last week, I had a consultation with an expectant mom who’s planning both a full glam studio maternity session and a luxury newborn experience. During our meeting, she excitedly showed me the sweetest DIY maternity shoot she and her husband had done in their kitchen. They’d made cookies together, played with flour, and called it their “half-baked” session. It was adorable, intimate, and perfectly captured their personalities.

The fact that she’d created those sweet kitchen photos didn’t diminish her desire for a professional session—it enhanced it. She understood that each type of photography serves a different purpose.

DIY photos excel when you want to:

• Capture everyday moments and genuine interactions
• Document your baby’s growth between professional sessions
• Create intimate, personal memories without pressure
• Practice and learn photography skills
• Have unlimited time and attempts

According to the Professional Photographers of America, over 60% of families now combine professional photography with their own documentation, creating a more complete family story.

Why Professional Photography Matters

Professional maternity and newborn photography brings expertise that goes far beyond camera skills. As a professional newborn photographer in Boise, I’ve spent years mastering:

Safety protocols: Newborn posing requires extensive knowledge of safe positioning, proper support, and recognizing infant cues. APNPI emphasizes that what looks effortless in a professional photo often involves multiple hands, careful spotting, and composite techniques.

Specialized equipment: From heating the studio to specific props designed for newborn safety, professionals invest in gear that creates optimal conditions for beautiful, safe photos.

Artistic vision: Professional photographers bring an outside perspective and artistic eye that you can’t achieve when you’re the subject or trying to wrangle your own baby.

Experience with challenges: Fussy babies, feeding schedules, family dynamics—professionals have seen it all and know how to adapt.

The Best of Both Worlds: Combining DIY Newborn Photos and Professional Sessions

Here’s what I tell both Boise families and fellow photographers: you can absolutely have both. In fact, I encourage it! The key is understanding when each approach serves you best.

Choose professional photography for:

• Milestone moments (maternity, newborn, first birthdays)
• Formal family portraits for your walls
• When you want to be fully present in the moment
• Capturing your growing family together
• Creating heirloom artwork for your home
• When safety matters (your newborn’s safety is worth the expense)

Choose DIY newborn photos for:

• Daily life documentation
• Learning and practicing your skills
• Intimate moments between professional sessions
• When you want complete creative control
• Budget-friendly options
• Simple poses that don’t require extensive training

Essential Newborn Photography Tips for Safe DIY Sessions

If you’re planning to take your own DIY newborn photos, safety must be your top priority. Never attempt complex poses you’ve seen in professional galleries without proper training. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping newborn photography simple and safe.

Remember: you can always learn to create beautiful images safely. Our DIY newborn photography course teaches parents and aspiring photographers all the best newborn photography tips and tricks! From the poses that are safe to execute at home (and which ones should always be left to the professionals) and basic lighting to simple editing techniques that allow you to capture stunning photos yourself.

You Can Never Have Too Many Photos

One of my favorite things about combining DIY and professional photography is that you truly can never have too many photos of this fleeting stage. Your iPhone snapshots, your DIY attempts, and your professional galleries all serve different purposes in documenting your family’s story.

The sweet kitchen “half-baked” session my client showed me will always hold a special place in her heart because it represents who they are as a couple. But her upcoming professional session will give her the polished, artistic images she’ll proudly display in her home for years to come.

Ready to Try DIY Newborn Photography?

Whether you’re a Boise parent wanting to document your baby’s growth or a fellow photographer looking to expand your skills, learning the basics of safe newborn photography is invaluable. Our comprehensive DIY course covers everything from safety protocols to simple editing techniques, giving you the confidence to create beautiful images while keeping your little one secure.

Remember: DIY newborn photos and professional sessions aren’t competing choices—they’re complementary ways to tell your family’s complete story. Embrace both, and you’ll have a rich collection of memories that capture every precious moment of this incredible journey.

Ready to learn newborn photography tips for safe newborn photos at home? Check out our DIY newborn photography course designed for parents and beginners who want to create beautiful, safe images at home.