Make Your At Home Newborn Photoshoot Truly Yours: Tips from a Newborn Photographer from Basel
- Nikolett Mayer
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Congratulations! You’re probably pregnant and thinking about how to preserve one of the most unique phases of your life and your baby’s life, creating special memories that truly reflect your family. An at-home newborn photoshoot is the perfect way to do this, and my goal with this blog post is to show you how.
Unlike a studio session, capturing your baby’s first days in the comfort of your own home allows you to preserve the quiet, tender moments of early parenthood. From the warmth of your baby’s skin to the soft morning light in your nursery or living room, an at-home newborn photoshoot highlights the real-life details that make these first weeks unforgettable. This approach is gentle, unhurried, and entirely focused on your family’s unique story.
Benefits of a Natural, At-Home Newborn Photoshoot
Recovery after birth is such a deeply personal and important time for every new mother, and that’s exactly why a newborn photoshoot at home feels so special. Through my own postpartum experiences, I’ve learned how essential rest and gentle care are in those early weeks. Too often, new mothers are expected to “bounce back” quickly, get ready for a photoshoot, and even travel to a studio. I promised myself I would never be that kind of photographer. In German, there’s a beautiful word for this period: "Wochenbett,” which means rest and recovery after childbirth. Every woman’s journey through these first weeks is different; some feel ready to welcome a photographer soon, while others need more time to heal and adjust. And that’s perfectly okay.
The beauty of an at-home newborn session is that there’s no rush, no car rides, no packing, and no pressure to leave your cozy space before you’re ready. I come to you, bringing everything needed for a calm, gentle experience right where you feel most comfortable, in your home. This allows you to fully embrace those slow, intimate moments of early motherhood while recovering in your own rhythm. The flexibility of an in-home photoshoot means you can take breaks whenever you need to: for feeding, changing, cuddling, or simply catching your breath. Your baby sets the pace, and I follow it with patience and care, ensuring that both of you feel calm and cared for. These sessions are unhurried, authentic, and deeply emotional, capturing your connection in its truest form. Every corner of your home, the couch where you feed, the soft nursery light, the warmth of your bed, becomes part of your story.
Through a documentary-style approach, I focus on the small, real moments: the tender feedings, sibling cuddles, or the way your baby curls into your arms. These photographs go beyond pretty portraits; they tell the heartfelt story of recovery, love, and the quiet magic of bringing your newborn home.
Now, how to make the newborn session truly feel like "you"?
A baby photoshoot at home is already a very personal experience, unlike anything you’d get in a studio. And with a few simple touches, you can make it even more unique, heartfelt, and perfectly “you.”
1. Keep It Personal and Real
The magic of a newborn photoshoot at home often lies in the small, ordinary corners, the soft morning light by the window, the couch where you feed your baby, or the bed where you snuggle together. There’s no need to hide the lived-in parts of your home (if you don`t want to). The blankets, the baby bottles, they all tell the story of your early days together. These authentic details make your photos honest.
2. Include Everyday Activities
Your at-home newborn photoshoot doesn’t need to be about posing. The best images come from connection and shared moments. Here are a few ideas that bring depth and emotion to your session:
Feeding time – Whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, these moments usually unfold naturally during a session, so embrace them, and let’s capture those beautiful first bonding moments together. If you’d like an even more intimate feel, you can undress from the top to create a natural skin-to-skin connection that makes the images even more special.
Changing or dressing your baby – Those tiny hands and feet, surrounded by parents or even siblings at the changing table, often create some of the sweetest and most authentic images.
Bathing your baby – Capturing those gentle water moments, the soft touches, and calm expressions when the water drops on your baby`s head. You can do this in your bathroom, but for the most beautiful lighting, I recommend bringing the baby bath into the living room.
Bathing together with your baby – Sharing a skin-to-skin bath with your baby is a tender, emotional experience that creates beautifully genuine images of motherhood. It’s especially lovely with a slightly older baby, and whether you wear a bathing suit is completely up to you.
A slow family morning – A slow family morning: making coffee, preparing snacks for the siblings, sharing a quiet moment, or simply letting siblings interact with the baby — brings your family story beautifully to life.
These gentle activities make your newborn photoshoot at home a lived experience rather than a staged event.
3. Choose Outfits That Feel Like You And Feel Good In
In general, natural textures and tones photograph beautifully and create a timeless look.
For your in-home newborn photoshoot, however, simplicity is key. Choose soft, neutral tones and avoid bright colors or heavy patterns. But most importantly, wear what feels comfortable and true to you.
Here are some of my suggestions if this feels right to you:
Moms: a long flowy dress, button down shirts, with maternity or postpartum leggings is usually the best option, it looks put together yet it feels comfortable and very practical for breastfeeding.
Dads: simple t-shirts or shirts and jeans that they would normally wear
For babies, choose clothing made from natural fabrics like muslin, wool, cotton, or cashmere in soft, light colors; even a simple onesie can look wonderful. You can also embrace the baby in just a diaper or capture them in their soft skin, curled up on you, or wrapped in a cozy blanket.
4. Embrace the Flow
Every baby has their own rhythm, and that’s what makes an at-home newborn session so special. If your baby needs to feed, sleep, or cry, we simply go with the flow. The pauses, the soothing, rocking, or quiet moments between, are often where the most meaningful images.
5. Add Meaningful Details
Bring small, sentimental touches into your newborn photoshoot at home. A handmade blanket or a knitted hat from a grandparent, a favorite toy or soft swaddle, a vase of flowers from your garden, or even your favorite music playing softly in the background. These little details not only make your photos uniquely yours but also create a calm, comforting atmosphere for the whole family.
6. Forget the Camera and Be Present
It might sound easier than it feels in real life, after all, we’re not professional models. But the heart of a newborn photoshoot at home is emotion, not perfection. You don’t need to look at the camera or strike a pose. Simply be with your baby: breathe them in, hold them close, share a smile with your partner, and let your favorite music play softly in the background. It can truly work wonders.
As your photographer, my role is to gently guide you and capture what naturally unfolds: the love, the connection, and the quiet, everyday moments that make these first weeks so unforgettable.
7. Create personalized albums or prints from the photos
Your baby’s first moments deserve more than to sit on a hard drive, lost among countless digital files. They deserve to be seen, felt, and cherished for a lifetime. Creating a personalized album, photo book, or high-quality prints in a beautiful box makes these memories tangible. I personally can’t imagine handing over a USB drive or hard drive to my daughter someday and saying, “Here are your childhood memories." It simply feels fragile and too digital.
In the End…
A newborn photoshoot at home is more than just pictures. It’s a way to remember these first days. The warmth of your baby’s skin, quiet mornings, and soft light in your living room. These photos become a time capsule of your family’s beginning: calm, emotional, and completely yours.
Choosing an in-home newborn photoshoot means choosing comfort, authenticity, and the chance to be fully present in your story. And that’s what makes it so special.
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Your Newborn Photographer from Basel - Nikolett Mayer Photography
As an expat mom living in Basel for over six years, I’ve experienced two pregnancies, births, and the postpartum period here. A journey that has been both humbling and deeply eye-opening.
I’ve come to understand just how fleeting and precious those first days with a newborn are. One day, these tiny, intimate memories of your baby’s yawns, cuddles, and first interactions will be all we have left, and that realization inspired me to dedicate myself to capturing them through photography.
Having gone through this myself, I approach every family with empathy and deep respect, honoring this time as the sacred and private period it truly is. My goal during your newborn session is to create a calm, cozy, and comfortable environment at home, so you and your baby can be completely yourselves. I aim to capture these early days in the most authentic way possible, preserving your family’s story exactly as you want to remember it.
Warm Wishes,
Nikolett
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