After you’ve spent so long hoping and dreaming for your rainbow baby, it can be SO meaningful to finally get some pictures of your little one now that they are earth-side. But how do you capture and share them? There are so many options! We’ve narrowed these rainbow baby photoshoot ideas down for you and included product recommendations to help get those creative juices flowing.
We asked our community to submit pictures of their rainbow babies, and wow!! We got such an amazing response. There were so many delightful responses, and we watched with teary eyes as our inbox overflowed with sweet rainbow babies. In fact, each photo you’ll see here is from an Undefining Motherhood community member–we didn’t use a single stock photo!
NOTE: We made every effort to credit photographers, but if you see your work unattributed, please reach out to our editor, Sarah Creel, at Sarah@undefiningmotherhood.com, and we’ll credit you immediately.
Whether you’re having a professional newborn photoshoot, or going the DIY route, we hope these adorable pics give you inspiration for your rainbow baby photoshoot.
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Before and After Rainbow Baby Photos
If you have a set of pics from when you announced your rainbow baby OR a pregnancy photoshoot, and then when your little one finally made their appearance, you can create an adorable before and after announcement! Here’s a few of our favorite reader-submitted baby before and afters.
Baby Announcement Before & After
Tracy used a lot of our favorite rainbow baby announcement props: a letter board, and rainbow baby onesie, and a sweet rainbow baby wall hanging.
And the picture of her newborn–squee!! We love how she carried over the rainbow theme in this wrap and hat (here’s something similar in case you’re looking).
Using the Same Outfit Before & After
Leighton chose to get a picture of her little rainbow romper before her baby came. Months later, she finally got to take her little girl’s picture IN the romper!
Pregnancy & Newborn Rainbow Photoshoot
Shana says this is her double rainbow baby and that she is soaking up every moment as a first time parent.
We love how Shana took a bump pic with her baby’s handmade crochet rainbow blanket, and then captured her baby with the blanket soon after!
Pictures That Show the Power of Creating a Rainbow Baby
We all know that the work and patience that goes into conceiving and carrying your rainbow baby. These two beautiful pictures show this truth in a very tangible way.
Gestational Carrier IVF Rainbow Baby
This is one of the most powerful photos I’e ever seen. No one can ever doubt the struggle and pain Kelsey went through for her rainbow. We are so grateful to her for sharing this with us, and if you’ve experienced IVF, you’ll understand the effort here.
Rainbow Placenta Print
Danielle’s rainbow placenta print beside her sweet baby is a beautiful reminder of how much of a warrior she is. And the baby’s rainbow blanket is a perfect addition to this meaningful photo.
Rainbow Sheets and Blankets for Baby Pictures
A rainbow blanket or or crib sheet is perfect for showing off your new little one, and they are honestly an easier photo prop than wrangling a newborn into an outfit!
Rainbow Baby Blanket
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- This handmade rainbow bobble blanket is perfect for gorgeous baby pictures
This cheerful little guy is only 6 weeks old in his picture. Look at that sweet smile! We like how his little cloud and sunshine onesie complements the rainbow blanket.
And the nice thing is, pictures like this are great for DIY. Just pop your little one on a rainbow blanket, use natural lighting from a window instead of your indoor lights, and snap a pic.
Rainbow Crib Sheet
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- Choose your favorite rainbow print crib sheet! We love this organic cotton stripe from Honest Baby
- Prefer a more muted color scheme? This muslin crib sheet is perfect for your rainbow baby
Jamie says, “My baby is such a blessing, and we’re so thankful our daughter gets to grow up with a sibling earth side.” Such a precious baby on his sweet little rainbow crib sheet! Jamie wrapped the blanket around the little pad in the hospital bassinet for a very fresh newborn picture.
Rainbow Baby Outfits for Pictures
If you already have rainbow outfits for your baby, why not get some pictures with them? Here’s more adorable babies from our readers.
Rainbow Baby Knotted Gown Pics
Kelsey got beautiful knotted gowns for her two rainbow babies. Look at that little yawn! Kelsey used her friend’s photography business–Samantha Brinda Photography, which is based in Minnesota.
Tiny Miracle Rainbow Baby
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- Get a Tiny Miracle Rainbow onesie
- Use a blanket or even a changing pad cover as your background
After 3 previous miscarriages, this little one definitely is a tiny miracle. Welcome to the world, tiny one! We love the pixelated rainbow and the nod to the miracle of rainbow babies.
Worth the Wait
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- You can get a Worth the Wait bodysuit in the color you want here
- We love the texture of the muslin crib sheet
Jamie says that even though this pic isn’t technically in a rainbow onesie, “it signifies to us everything we went through to get to our rainbow. We used the ‘worth the wait’ onesie to announce we were pregnant and then I put him in it one year from the day I found out we were expecting again.”
Baby with Rainbow Prism
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- These little cotton pants + hat and a white onesie are a perfect match
- Use a sun catcher prism to bounce rainbows off your baby
Colleen’s photographer, Leighanne used a prism to shine rainbows on her baby in this shoot. If you want to see more great pictures where Leighanne plays with light, check out her Insta.
Rainbow Jammies
Everyone loves pictures of babies in their jammies. We’re so grateful to Alison and Dee for sharing their pictures of their sweet rainbow baby girls.
Older Rainbow Baby and Rainbow Toddler Photos
Just because your baby isn’t a baby anymore doesn’t mean you can’t get some great pictures representing their place as a rainbow after the storm! Here’s a few of our favorite reader submissions.
Mommy & Toddler Looking at a Rainbow
Kristina tell us, “We ‘chase’ rainbows, and now that he’s getting a little bigger, he actually says it. I tell them that the rainbows after a storm are his siblings looking down at him smiling. He loves it!”
While it’s difficult to plan for a photo op like this, it’s one of our favorites.
Toddler Holding a Rainbow Streamer
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- Grab this adorable rainbow streamer for your little one to play with
- A white background really lets the streamer pop
Jessica says this little guy was born a year later (to the date!) from her first loss. Thanks to Kathleen Jablonski Photography for capturing this beautiful moment!
Props for Your Rainbow Baby Photoshoot
We’ve already seen some super cute pictures of rainbow babies, but if you’re looking for a fun prop besides an outfit or blanket, this section is for you.
Rainbow Flower Garlands
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- Get an ombre paper flower garland like this (choose the custom colors feature) and cut them to wrap around baby
- Make sure baby is young enough to swaddle for photo shoot
We adore this picture of Nicole’s sweet baby girl. The beautiful rainbow flower garland around her is perfect, and the sweet headband is *chef’s kiss.*
Pro tip: Get the garlands and basket set up as much as possible before the photo shoot. That way, you’re ready to go as soon as you get your baby bundled up and asleep (or leave this shot to the professionals who have practice keeping newborns asleep for photos).
Felted Rainbow
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- These needle felted pastel rainbows are perfect as a newborn baby photo prop
- Make sure you choose a photographer who specializes in newborn shoots to get this sweet snuggled up pose!
Amber was excited to share with us how she got this amazing newborn photographer in the Spokane, WA area. She said, “A photographer in our area gave away a free rainbow baby session and my coworker nominated us!” She and the photographer had also lost babies.
Amber says she wouldn’t have sprung for a photographer herself, but she’s so grateful to have won this session. And we can see why! Eee!
Rainbow Stacker
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- Rainbow stackers are great both for photo props for newborns and for your little one to play with in their toddler and preschool years
- Photos like these can just be taken in a quiet moment after baby has eaten and fallen asleep in your arms
We love this sweet moment captured by Mode Photography. And the Grimm’s Rainbow is a subtle reminder of just how special Brianna’s baby is.
Wooden Sign
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- This “hello, world” sign is perfect for your birth announcement
- This super soft chenille chunky knit baby blanket will keep your baby cozy and make a great background
Elizabeth’s rainbow baby was born just shy of two years after her angel baby’s due date. The little Etsy sign and rainbow ornament are an easy combo for a sweet photo. Such a cutie!
Rainbow Headband
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- We love this precious rainbow headband
- If you’re too nervous about having your baby totally naked on your backdrop, use a plain white diaper to avoid it competing with the rest of the photo.
We love this sweet picture of Jillan’s baby by Defining Moments Photography. The sweet little smile hits you right in the guy, and the rainbow headband is absolutely precious without being over the top.
Rainbow Baby Photoshoot Conclusions
Hopefully all these super cute pictures gave you inspiration for your own rainbow baby photoshoot! Remember, some newborn photographers book months in advance, so if you want it done professionally, make sure you book well ahead of your due date.
And if you’re not interested in shelling out the cash for a professional, we hope these photos show you just how easy that is to do with a couple of props and some decent lighting.
Have fun getting pictures of your own precious rainbow baby. We know just how special that moment is. Much love to you, mama!
