Did you or someone you know welcome a new arrival into the family this year? If you’re the proud parent or relative of a new baby enjoying their very first festive season, you’re likely looking forward to seeing all of the excitement through their eyes. Naturally, you’ll want a camera at hand to capture some magic moments, but have you thought about holding your own Christmas photo shoot too? Today on the Parrot Print blog we are sharing a few ideas on props, outfits and tactics to net you some fantastically Christmassy baby’s first Christmas photos.
Cute 1st Christmas Outfits
Babies are pretty cute generally, but the right outfit can really help to set the festive mood, even if you’re doing your Christmas shoot early! You could keep it simple by popping a little Santa or Elf hat on your little one along with a Christmas patterned baby grow. However, as the saying goes – less can really be more – so when it comes to choosing an baby’s Christmas outfit, consider items that give a nod to the season without being too OTT. You could try:
- A pair of festive pyjamas
- A Christmas inspired jumper or sweatshirt
- A dress our outfit in traditional Christmas prints such as tartan or Fair Isle or Christmas colours such as red, white and green.
Setting Up Your Festive Shoot
It’s cold outside, so for yours and baby’s comfort and the convenience of being able to photograph at your own pace, shooting at your home is an easy option. While you may be tempted to set up your shoot around the sparkling lights and reflective baubles of the Christmas tree – you may encounter difficulties doing so. Overall, a large tree can be hard to frame in shot with a teeny, tiny baby and can prove very distracting too.
If the child is sitting and moving around, you may want to consider using a small Christmas tree that will sit in shot with them. This way, you can snap some of those wonderful bauble reflection images. Just be sure that there are no easy to break baubles on the tree!
For younger babies, lying them down on a festive patterned rug or something extra snuggly like a fake fur blanket will ensure they’re nice and comfortable. Plus, it will give a nice festive touch too. You could give them some festive items such as a felt decoration or tinsel and capture their delight as they explore them. Alternatively, try to get baby to smile with a favorite toy out of shot and lots of encouraging noises. And of course, make sure you have as much natural light as possible to get some lovely crisp Christmassy shots!
Are you planning your own family Christmas photography shoot this year? Whether you plan to put your images on canvas or want to create your own family Christmas card, we’ve got lots of festive photography ideas here on the blog. There are also some personalised gift suggestions for all the family based on their interests including our gifts for travel lovers. Happy snapping!
