You asked about how we handled our own newborn photos, Teddy’s birth announcement, Clara’s four-year picture and annual video, and what I received for Mother’s Day (spoiler: a deeply sentimental photo book of Clara’s quotes). This post is a roundup of that documentation—our approach to capturing memories at home and a few practical tips we learned along the way.
We did put our phones aside and use our camera for some casual newborn photos when Teddy was a week old. The image we used on his birth announcement came from that shoot; we picked a template from an online card site, added the photo, and ordered a few dozen copies. Simple, meaningful, and personal.
Like most photoshoots, things looked less glamorous when you step back. We actually took the shot while John stood between a large box and a plant in our office. The real magic is in framing and lighting, not in a studio setting.
We captured these pictures when Teddy was seven days old to preserve that soft, newborn look. Our brother-in-law Todd, who is a professional photographer, offered to do a family session too, so we didn’t feel pressure to make our amateur shots perfect. That made the whole experience relaxed and fun—John and I both took photos, and we got some lovely images of Clara with her new baby brother.
For equipment in our casual shoot we used a diffuser (a gift I gave John), a soft surface built from blankets and a Boppy on our desk, and a step stool for overhead angles. These small tools made a noticeable difference for non-professional photographers.
Light can change everything. We compared a photo without the diffuser to one with it—the softer light produced a more even, gentle look. We tried a few of those styled “baby in a basket” shots, which made him look so snug and newborn-like, then shifted to simpler candids: him sleeping, John holding him, and Clara observing her brother.
We shot with a Nikon D3200 and a 50mm prime lens we’ve had for years. The 50mm is perfect for detail and portrait shots because it creates a pleasing blurred background; for wider room shots we revert to the kit lens. You don’t need the most expensive gear to get meaningful photos—knowing your lenses and how to use available light helps more than anything.
We also included items with sentimental value in several photos, like a blanket my sister-in-law knitted for Teddy. Incorporating heirlooms or handmade items gives your newborn photos extra emotional weight and makes them unique to your family.
And yes, baby feet deserve an intermission—tiny toes are endlessly charming and make for great close-ups.
I love photos that pair subtle details: Teddy’s soft hair and John’s wedding ring against a neutral background. It’s striking how different siblings can be—Teddy was born with a full head of hair, whereas Clara had very little at first.
Capturing a moment with open eyes at seven days old felt like a small victory since newborns sleep so much. We also used the bed as an easy backdrop for some sibling photos of Clara and Teddy that turned out really sweet.
Those candid images were heartfelt enough that we used a series of them on the back of Teddy’s announcement. A few more playful shots taken the next day—when they were just lying around—became some of our favorites. They show the real, unposed side of life with a newborn.
About Clara’s four-year photo: we’re continuing her weekly photo project, and people often ask where her annual shot is. Between party planning and newborn care it slipped our minds, but we caught up and added a few great outtakes. Comparing Clara’s weekly images to Teddy’s weekly shots is one of our favorite routines—she enjoys studying similarities and differences between them.
For Mother’s Day John surprised me with a small photobook of “Clara Conversations”—quotes and moments compiled into a keepsake. It made me cry happy tears. Every page was a reminder of how quickly these stages pass. He even left the last page blank so Clara could draw our family, which she did with charming proportions and stickers. It’s a tiny, perfect record of this time in our lives.
How are you documenting your family now? Phones make it easy to fill up storage with photos and videos. Some people create short videos set to music or keep printed announcements and cards in a box. Whatever you choose—digital slideshows, weekly photos, printed books—small, consistent efforts add up into meaningful archives you’ll enjoy revisiting for years.