19 Best Ideas For Newborn Christmas Photos
Here, we collected 19 adorable baby Christmas picture ideas for you.
1. Use Minimal Props to Keep the Attention on the Baby
For this idea, you’ll only rely on some simple newborn poses and minimal props. The baby can be naked or wear knitted diapers, for example. The focus should be on the head and the face. Keep it simple. A cute Santa hat or bow is going to be just enough. You want to focus on the baby with just a hint of that Christmas feeling. This kind of newborn photo shoot should be simple and emphasize that he or she was a newborn during Christmas time.
2. Use Fun Props to Turn the Newborn Into a Little Snowman
You can spice up any newborn poses with fun Christmas-themed props. After you have some pictures where the baby is the main attraction, you can add a little extra. Try the classic “potato sack” pose—where the baby is wrapped in some kind of fabric—to create a snowman look. You can also put a toy next to the baby, like a teddy bear or a snowman. The toy can even be used in the upcoming years’ photo shoots as a scale. Arrange the elements to create harmony. The rule of thirds will make images pleasing to the eye without getting the baby lost in the decoration.
3. Involve Sibling(s) in the Photo Shoot
Just because it’s a baby’s first Christmas photo shoot doesn’t mean siblings can’t be involved. Christmas pictures with babies can portray the love and bond among family members. It’s a nice idea to take images of a baby’s first Christmas with older siblings. If they are too young to hold the baby safely, ask them to sit down and put the baby on their lap. Having them sitting under the tree, you can create the feeling as if the baby was a gift. A cute little present who just came into the family’s life! This adds an intimate atmosphere to the images.
4. Photo Shoot with the Parents
Christmas pictures with the family capture love and togetherness. And how the little one’s first Christmas was celebrated. Add variety by taking photos with only one parent at a time for that special parent-baby moment. To make these holiday moments intimate, ask the parents to look at the baby, not at the camera. Smiling at each other and closed eyes create a feeling of bond and closeness. You can ask them to kiss the baby for a picture full of love. Or try fun baby Christmas poses. Like holding the baby in the air as in The Lion King. For candid shots, ask the family members to imitate real-life situations. For example, opening presents gives action to the images. You have great freedom with these photo shoots. A classic idea is having the family wear matching outfits!
5. Involve the Family’s Pet for Extra Cuteness
If the family has pets, you should involve them in the Christmas photo shoot! Pose the baby and pet in a similar way by using the same props for both of them to make everyone’s heart melt. It’s hard to capture them both in a calm moment at the same time. But you can take adorable photos individually and then merge them in Photoshop. One thing is more adorable than a baby Santa… a baby Santa with a puppy Santa together.
6. Take Snowy Pictures to Show a Different Side of Christmas
We don’t always have a white Christmas. So when we do, we better take advantage of it! Snow is strongly connected to the festive feeling in countries where winter is cold. You can dress the baby in a cute Christmas outfit, but a simple winter outfit will do the same. Don’t worry if the styling of your photo shoot is not strongly connected to the holiday. It’s still going to reflect a Christmassy feeling. Needless to say, the baby should be dressed even warmer than usual, as the shoot will take some time. Try to take the photos quickly so you don’t have to stay outside for too long.
7. Take Closeup Portraits of the Baby to Capture Happiness
Don’t let the baby get lost among Christmas decorations. Take close portraits of him or her so the face fills most of the frame. Christmas pictures with babies often get too crowded with the surroundings and props. Instead, try capturing their smiles and the joy in their face. The focus of the photo should be the baby’s expression. The family is going to love these photos, showcasing their little one’s true self.
8. Capture Details to Create More Intimacy
Capturing the baby’s hands, feet or eyes are great ideas for the baby’s first Christmas photo shoot. These close-up images create an intimate feeling while enhancing the baby’s gestures. This is a perfect opportunity to involve the parents as well. Create contrast between how tiny the baby is by asking a parent to hold hands. A soft touch and some kind of decoration make adorable candid shots.
9. Dress the Baby as a Little Angel to Create a Special Memory
You don’t necessarily have to include typical Christmas decorations. To create an angel outfit, you’ll need a pair of little wings, a white diaper, and muted background. Try to keep it simple and avoid overdecorating the scene. These images can be turned into a lovely and personal Christmas card for friends and family.
10. Get a Little Sleigh to Capture Little Santas
Getting a sleigh might seem a bit too specific. But you’ll be surprised how diversely you can use it for your photo shoots. If you put soft blankets, bean bags, or pillows in it, it’s a safe prop for newborn photography. But a toddler may have fun with it too! Put it under the tree, or use it in a studio with a white background. Either way, it’s going to be a perfect prop for adorable Christmas photos. If you don’t know where to look for it, I recommend buying a sleigh on Etsy.
11. Use Books as Props to Create Peaceful Images
Babies and toddlers love storybooks and often get them as presents. Christmas pictures are usually about peace and calmness. And what is more peaceful than children forgetting about the world while flipping through a book? Stage the image and make the baby sit under the tree. It will enhance the Christmas spirit and the joy of getting a nice gift.
12. Use Snow Globes For Magical Christmas Pictures
Snow globes are fascinating just by themselves. But using them for your Christmas photo ideas will make them even more special. A baby will be mesmerised by it. Ask the parents to shake the globe and look at it together with the little one. With Christmas lights in the background that can shine through the glass, the scene is going to be warm and cosy. This vintage toy preserves the feeling of joy in simple things.
13. Use Boxes as Props to Make the Baby Look Like a Christmas Gift
Babies are gifts to their parents and the whole family. A great way to illustrate this is by using boxes as props in Christmas pictures. If the baby is sitting under the Christmas tree in a box, he or she will literally look like a little gift. This is among the most simple ideas for Christmas pictures. And it’s one of the cutest and most popular ones.
14. Use Fairy Lights to Create a Sparkling Christmas Look
Fairy lights are part of our Christmas decorations. But they also make a nice background to your baby photo shoots. Decorate a wall with these lights and place the baby on a simple and soft rug or blanket in a plain outfit. This way you can get the Christmas sparkles without crowding the scene. Having the background not directly behind the baby will make the lights blurred. The bokeh is going to be nice if you are shooting with a wide aperture. This way, the shot will project a Christmassy feeling, but they won’t draw the attention away from your subject.
15. Shoot in Black and White to Eliminate Distracting Colors
Lights and colors are part of the Christmas spirit. But for some baby photo ideas, you can eliminate them to add calmness to your images. Black and white images are still going to show the festive atmosphere if you include some props, but the baby gets more emphasis. Also, this is a unique approach as we usually think that colors make this atmosphere. Try including, for example, the Christmas tree in the background. You’ll see that black and white images have their place in Christmas photo albums. Also, turning your images black and white can solve many lighting problems. Most likely, you are going to shoot under poorly colored lighting conditions indoors. B&W makes you and the viewer concentrate more on the subject rather than the white balance or the possibly weird colors.
16. Document Christmas Traditions Outdoors to Create Nice Memories for the Family
Traditions are important in most families’ life. These traditions could be gift shopping or picking the Christmas tree together. Everyone will enjoy looking back at these lifestyle photographs together. These kinds of photos shouldn’t be staged. Take candid photos that capture the family during some kind of traditional festive activity.
17. Document Christmas Preparations in the Family’s Home to Capture Their Peace
Lots of Christmas traditions happen at home. People are cooking meals, wrapping gifts, decorating their homes, or playing games. Why not capture their babies during these activities? These are everyday, yet, beautiful moments in a family’s life. Of course, a newborn baby is not going to help with baking gingerbreads, but older babies and toddlers can. The results are going to be adorable!
18. Capture Precious Moments by Documenting How Babies React to Their Gifts
Christmas pictures with babies often include presents as decorations or props. But you can make them a more active part of the image by capturing how a baby gets his or her first gifts. This way, you can show their joy and surprise through your Christmas photos. This is not the best idea for newborn photography, as they don’t really care about presents. But slightly older babies or toddlers are going to have adorable reactions. Years later, these photos will help to recall nice memories.
19. Organize Christmas Photo Shoots that Involves More Babies to Create Lifelong Memories
If the extended family or friends have babies of similar ages, organize sessions with them. Parents are going to love it, and most likely make it a tradition to see their children growing up together. These images are going to make fun memories. A Christmas baby photo shoot is a great program to do together with friends or family. You can include all the parents in the images as well. I bet your friends will be open to these picture ideas!
Conclusion
A baby’s first Christmas photo shoot will be special no matter what. And as a photographer, you can play a huge role in a family’s life by capturing the baby’s first Christmas. Always put safety first when it comes to these shoots. Hopefully, our Christmas photo ideas are going to make your job easier. Try twisting and adding your own style to every photo you take. Check out our Dreamy Childhood Portraits e-book to ensure amazing photos of your babies as they grow up!
