By Sarina Gomez
You can shoot a lovely pregnancy announcement at home with a phone, a window and three props: your scan photo, a tiny pair of shoes and a simple sign. Set the phone on a stack of books with the timer on, stand side-on to a window in the morning or late afternoon, and work through a short shot list. Below are 15 shots, the props that earn their place, and the light and phone settings that make the difference.
What you need (and what you don’t)
You need a phone, daylight and about 30 minutes. A tripod helps, but a pile of books or a mug works as a stand.
The kit
- A phone with the self-timer or a Bluetooth remote (many cheap tripods include one).
- A clean wall, a bed with white sheets, a front door or a park bench.
- Two or three props, not ten. Props crowd the frame fast.
The props that work
- The scan photo. It tells the story without words. Use the original printout or a fresh print.
- Tiny shoes or socks. Line them up next to your shoes for scale.
- A letter board or a hand-lettered card with the due month: “Baby coming May 2027”.
- Pets. A dog wearing a “Big Brother” bandana is a classic for a reason.
- An older sibling’s T-shirt that says “Big Sister” or “Big Brother”.
Skip confetti indoors, glitter, anything that makes you squint and any prop you’d have to explain in the caption.
Light and phone settings
Soft side light from a window is the single biggest improvement you can make. It’s free, flattering and easy to control.
- Turn off the overhead lights. Mixed light gives odd orange and blue tints.
- Stand side-on to a window, about an arm’s length back. Direct midday sun is harsh; a cloudy day or a sheer curtain is perfect.
- Shoot in the morning or late afternoon if you’re outside. The hour before sunset gives warm, low light.
- Use the main (1x) or 2x lens, not the ultra-wide. Wide lenses stretch faces and bumps at the edges.
- Tap to focus on the subject, then drag the exposure down a touch so the white sheet or scan doesn’t blow out.
- Use burst mode or Live Photos for anything with kids or pets, then pick the best frame.
- Lock the phone’s position for the whole series, so the photos feel like a set.
A 15-shot list you can follow
Work through these in order; the first five are the easiest. You’ll end with more than you need for one post.
| # | Shot | How to set it up |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scan in hands | Both partners hold the scan at chest height; crop at the shoulders |
| 2 | Shoe lineup | Adult shoes, then the tiny pair, on a doorstep or wooden floor |
| 3 | Letter board on the bed | Board on white sheets, scan tucked in the corner, shot from above |
| 4 | Hand on the scan | One hand with a ring or bracelet resting on the printout |
| 5 | Kiss on the forehead | Partner kisses the forehead while you hold the scan; soft focus on the scan |
| 6 | Side profile | Stand side-on to the window, hands on the belly, even before there’s a bump |
| 7 | Pet announcement | Pet in front, sign on the collar or next to them; shoot at their eye level |
| 8 | Sibling reveal | Older child in the “Big Sister” shirt, looking up at you |
| 9 | Front door | Both of you at the door with the tiny shoes on the mat |
| 10 | Coffee for three | Two mugs and a baby bottle or a tiny cup on the table |
| 11 | Calendar | Due month circled on a paper calendar, scan clipped beside it |
| 12 | Car seat or stroller | Empty car seat on the back seat with the scan resting in it |
| 13 | Park bench | Sit at one end, leaving space; shoes or a baby hat on the bench |
| 14 | Silhouette | Stand against a bright window, exposure dragged right down |
| 15 | Before and after | The same pose at the same spot, repeated monthly until the birth |
Shots 1, 4 and 11 work well even if the scan is your only prop. Our ultrasound announcement ideas build a whole post around the scan.
Poses that look natural
Natural poses come from doing something, not from standing still. Give yourselves a small action:
- Walk toward the camera holding hands, and take a burst.
- Look at the scan together, not at the lens.
- Whisper something silly to each other just before the timer goes.
- Rest a hand on the belly with the fingers relaxed and slightly apart.
- Sit on the floor with your backs against the bed, legs crossed.
If you’re alone, a self-portrait with the scan held up to the window light is simple and lovely.
Pairing the scan with an imagined face
One extra idea uses the scan you already have. SeeMyBaby turns a photo of your scan into an imagined newborn portrait in about a minute. A two-photo post, scan first and portrait second, makes a playful “here’s how we imagine you” moment. Label the second picture as imagined so nobody mistakes it for a real prediction; the app’s result is for fun, and a clear 3D scan gives a closer result than a 2D one.
Editing and posting
Light editing keeps the photos feeling like you. Over-edited announcements date quickly.
- Pick three to five photos, not twenty. Lead with the clearest one.
- Straighten and crop to 4:5 for an Instagram feed, 9:16 for Stories.
- Warm the color a touch and lift the shadows slightly. Skip heavy filters.
- Hide personal details on the scan before posting: your name, the clinic and the hospital number in the corner. A blur or sticker is enough.
- Tell close family first. It’s kinder than letting grandparents find out from a feed.
For words to go with the photos, see our pregnancy announcement captions, and for more ways to share the news, read pregnancy announcement ideas. If you’re announcing in December, the Christmas pregnancy announcement guide has holiday shots. More ideas are on the blog.
Questions parents ask
How do I take pregnancy announcement pictures at home?
Use soft window light, set your phone on a stand with the self-timer, and follow a short shot list: scan in hands, a shoe lineup and a letter board on the bed are the easiest.
When should you do a pregnancy announcement photoshoot?
Whenever you’re ready to share. Many parents wait until after the first-trimester scan so the scan photo can be part of the shoot.
What props do you need for a pregnancy announcement?
Two or three are enough: the scan photo, tiny shoes or socks, and a sign with the due month. Pets and older siblings make great “props” too.
Should I hide my name on the ultrasound photo?
Yes. Blur or cover your name, the clinic and any hospital number before posting the scan online.
