So you’ve just come home from the hospital with your newborn baby and are dying to have some professional photos taken…but, it’s Covid. :( Right now it isn’t safe or you may not yet feel comfortable enough to have an indoor session at your home. No need to fret! I’ve got your back. ;)

I’ve put together some easy tips to help you take amazing photos of your newborn baby. You can do these on an iPhone or any camera that you have.

1. Look for the good light! You’ll want soft, indirect natural light from a window. Turn off any lamps or overhead lighting, as the colors will look funky mixed with the natural light. Have your baby placed so that the light shines down from the top of their head at a 45 degree angle. You may see a little shadow under their nose.

2. Make it cozy! You want your baby to be happy and comfortable, so make sure the room is warm and your baby is on something soft, like a bed. Have some soft music playing or a white noise machine. A full belly helps too.

3. Opt for natural poses. We’re not going for an Anne Geddes look here. This is for capturing your baby as they are—perfect. Simply place your baby on the bed or soft surface, make sure they are 100% safe, and start photographing from different angles. Shoot from directly above, shoot from the side, zoom in on details like their eyes, hands, feet, etc.

4. Be in the photo. Have a partner, friend, or even your 5 year old kid take photos of you with your baby. You can also set up the self-timer on your iPhone. Just prop the phone somewhere and stack things like books to get the right angle. Stand next to a window or sit somewhere cozy and simply hold your baby, snuggle, give gentle kisses and be present in the moment.