Don’t worry if you don’t have professional equipment or perfect conditions—great photos are possible with whatever you have on hand. The goal is to capture meaningful pictures of your kids, not just technically perfect photos.

Most parents feel unsure about photographing children at home, but these top 5 tips are designed to help you improve the quality of your photos.

Taking photos of your kids at home

Setting up the scene

When it comes to photographing your own children at home, setting up the scene can make all the difference in capturing those natural shots and candid moments that truly tell your family’s story. Start by finding good light—natural light is always your best friend when taking photos of kids. Try positioning your child near a window or, if you can, head outside during the golden hour for that soft, flattering glow. Avoid relying on indoor lights, as they can cast harsh shadows and create colours that don’t flatter your child’s face.

Think about the background and overall composition of your shot. A simple, uncluttered background helps keep the focus on your child, making their personality shine through in every photo. If you’re using your phone, portrait mode is a great way to blur the background and really highlight your main subject. For those using a camera, don’t be afraid to play around with different angles and camera settings—sometimes the best photos come from getting down to your child’s eye level or even shooting from directly overhead for a fresh perspective.

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone else. Take a few minutes to watch how they play, interact, and move around. This will help you anticipate those special moments and be ready to capture them as they happen. Encourage your kids to engage in activities they love, whether it’s building with blocks, reading a favourite book, or simply giggling with other family members. These genuine interactions often lead to the most beautiful photographs.

Don’t forget to involve other family members in your photo sessions. Siblings, grandparents, or even other children can add a sense of fun and connection to your images. Try adding a few simple props—like a colourful hat, a scarf, or a bunch of flowers—to bring a pop of colour and a bit of personality to your shots. The more relaxed and playful you are, the more your kids will enjoy the experience, and the better your photos will turn out.

When it comes to camera settings, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you’re using your phone, try out portrait mode or pro mode to adjust exposure and focus. With a camera, switch up your lenses and settings to see what works best for your space and lighting. Make sure your child’s face, especially the nearest eye, is in sharp focus for that professional photographer touch.

Above all, remember that the goal isn’t to create a perfect shot every time, but to capture the fleeting moments and wonder of childhood. With a little practice, patience, and creativity, you’ll find yourself taking great photos of your kids that you’ll treasure for years to come. So grab your camera or phone, set the scene, and have fun capturing the special moments that make your family unique.

Keep it simple

My first tip is probably the most important one. You don’t have to have a professional studio to take great photos. When taking photos of your kids at home, find an area that is decluttered with nothing distracting in the background. I love using plain white bedding and dressing babies in a simple white vest or even just a plain white nappy. Keeping things simple works especially well for little ones, as they are easily distracted. Depending on the age of your child, you may need to adjust your approach—young children and babies often require a different setup than older kids.

If you don’t have good light in your bedroom then you can ‘fake it’ by putting the bedding on the floor in a room that has the best light. Maybe you have a big window or patio doors in your living room for example. When dressing your little ones, having them stand or sit in a well-lit area can help improve the photo.

As a final tip, making sure your child is well rested before a photo session can lead to better, more natural results.

Lighting

As I mentioned above, good lighting is what makes a great photo. Always try to find good light by positioning your child in areas with soft, natural light, such as near a window, in the shade, or during golden hour. The best light is soft light, so it's best to avoid harsh sunlight around midday. If the weather is overcast, this is actually the best type of light as the clouds act like a big diffuser. If the light is too strong and creating harsh shadows, you can soften it by hanging some sheer curtains over the window.

Before taking the photo, use your camera or phone's screen to preview how the light falls on your child and adjust their position as needed for the most flattering effect. If you're using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, remember that your choice of lens can also affect how light is captured—wide-angle lenses or those with a lower focal length can help you achieve different looks and handle lighting conditions in unique ways..

Capture the details

Don’t forget to record all the little details like their chubby little hands and feet or holding their favourite toy. You can point your camera at specific features, such as hands or feet, to highlight them. Even a close-up of a small detail can tell a lot about the person in the photo. These are often the things we forget to photograph as our kids grow up, but once captured, these small details become cherished memories.

Backlighting

Backlighting is when your light source (your window) is directly behind your subject. When you shoot with backlighting, you may need to experiment with exposure to achieve interesting results like silhouettes or bright white backgrounds. This can be more difficult when using a smartphone camera, as they tend to underexpose, so try to increase your exposure before you take the shot.

A helpful tip is to take photos in quick succession to capture the best backlit shot. Shooting lots of photos in different lighting conditions increases your chances of getting a great image.

Editing

The best thing about soft lighting is that you shouldn’t have to do too much editing. However, a little editing can help you achieve better photos, even if the original shot wasn't perfect. I use photoshop for my professional images but there are some great photo editing apps available for iPhone and android. If you have questions about which editing apps to use or how to edit your photos, I'm happy to answer common questions and share tips. Some editing apps also allow you to edit video, which can be a fun way to capture your child's personality.

Here are two of my favourites -

Snapseed, there are some preset edits to choose from when you load your photo or there are many great tolls to fine tune your image including brightening and sharpening or adding a pop of colour.

Afterlight, similar to snapseed but they have some cool colour presets and effects to play with.

More tips on taking photos of your kids at home

If you have younger babies check out my top 5 tips on how to soothe babies during a photography session

I hope you enjoyed my tips on taking photos of your kids at home and they help to improve the quality of your family photos. Remember, families are at the heart of every great picture, and capturing those special moments—like a candid laugh or a quiet interaction—creates lasting memories.

When you take photos, focus on engaging with your child. Talking and interacting with them helps them relax and brings out genuine expressions. You don’t always need to force smiles; often, the best pictures come from natural, unposed moments. Try talking about things they love or simply let them talk, as this can lead to authentic, heartfelt photos.

Great photos tell stories, not just single moments. Be ready to capture what is happening in the moment, whether it’s a playful scene or a peaceful rest. Take photos from different perspectives and at different times to add variety and depth to your stories. Don’t forget to focus on your child’s face, as it’s often the most expressive part of the picture.

Photographing children is different from photographing adults. With adults, you might direct their attention or pose them, but with kids, it’s about capturing their natural energy and spontaneity. Engaging with them is key to getting lively, memorable images.

The best camera is the one you have with you, whether it’s a smartphone, compact, or mirrorless camera. Different cameras offer different advantages—features like fast autofocus and flip-out screens can make photographing children easier and more fun. Understanding the idea behind basic composition principles, like the rule of thirds, can also help you create more impactful pictures.

Don’t forget to take a rest during longer sessions. Breaks help everyone stay happy and relaxed, making it easier to capture those special moments.

Final tip: Stay patient, keep your camera ready, and focus on engaging with your child. The most memorable photos often come from genuine interactions and the stories you capture together.