How to choose the best photos for your baby book

Zofia May is a London-based family, maternity and newborn photographer and founder of Zofia May Photography. A mum of three herself, Zofia specialises in capturing heartfelt, natural moments with warmth and honesty. Here, she channels her expertise in family photography into these tips for making your photo selection for your baby book.

Before your baby turns one, you might already have 10,000 photos on your phone. And while it’s wonderful to have those moments saved, phones get lost, tech breaks and cloud storage can feel impersonal. And let’s be honest – do we even know how we’ll be accessing digital photos in 10, 20 or 30 years’ time? Creating a printed baby album is one of the best ways to preserve your favourite memories from this fleeting chapter.

The aim of a baby photo book isn’t perfection, it’s about preserving the details you’ll one day forget – the squishiness, the sleepiness, the way they fit into your arms, the chaos and the calm. Especially when you were so tired you could barely remember your own name. A photo book helps tell the story of your baby’s babyhood in a way your future self will thank you for.

And whether you’re three months in or your child’s already in school, it’s never too late – or too early – to make a baby photo book. Let’s focus on meaningful moments – not flawless images.

As a mum of three and a family photographer, I’ve created many baby books – for myself and for the families I work with. I know how overwhelming it can feel, but also how rewarding it is when that book finally arrives and you see your baby’s story on printed pages.

Here’s a simple step-by-step to get you started:

1. Decide what your photo book will include

Before diving into your camera roll, think about what kind of story you want the book to tell.

• Is it a book just for the first year?

• Will it document a particular season or chapter (like newborn days or first Christmas)?

• Does it follow key milestones like first smiles, first steps, first messy meals?

Having a clear focus will guide your decisions and make the next steps much easier.

2. Cull the photos

Create a separate folder just for potential photo book images. As you scroll, keep the aim of your book in mind (from step one). Don’t overthink it at this stage – if a photo jumps out at you or makes you feel something, drop it in.

Once you’ve gathered your shortlist, start refining:

• Remove anything blurry, too dark, or heavily filtered

• Prioritise high-quality versions (avoid screenshots or compressed downloads)

• Look for clear eyes, soft light and natural tones

Once you have your initial selection (and it’s absolutely fine if it starts at 150 photos), take a break. When you return with fresh eyes, narrow things down even further until you have the right number for your photo book – depending on the layout and size, something in the range of 20–50 images usually works really well.

3. Look for emotion over perfection

Don’t skip over the imperfect photos that tell a story. A shot with a dryer full of tiny baby grows in the background might look cluttered, but it holds a whole season of memories. A photo of your partner asleep with the baby on their chest might not be technically perfect, but it might also be the one that brings tears to your eyes later.

When in doubt, choose feeling over framing.

4. Include a mix of these memory-makers

Make sure your book isn’t just cute baby faces (although there’s nothing wrong with those). Include a full picture of this chapter with images such as:

• You in the frame. Yes, you – tired, happy, surviving. You belong in the story

• Some milestones: first cuddles, first baths, first steps

• Sleeping baby in soft light

• Tiny hands, feet and baby curls

• Favourite toys, comforters, dummies

• Everyday life – the buggy walks, the morning cuddles, the messy kitchen lunches

• Photos showing scale – in arms, in a crib, next to a teddy

• One that makes you laugh, and one that makes you tear up

5. Variety keeps it interesting

Mix it up:

• Wide shots and close-ups

• Candid and posed

• Still and playful moments

• Colour and maybe a little black and white

Alternate layouts and orientations, and don’t be afraid to leave white space around your favourite images. It helps them breathe.

6. What not to stress about

This book isn’t about curating an Instagram feed. It’s a real reflection of a very real time. Don’t worry about the odd bit of clutter, a wonky horizon, or slightly soft focus if the moment feels right.

You don’t need a photo for every week or month. You just need enough to spark the memory.

7. Mistakes to avoid

• Don’t use low-resolution screenshots or social media downloads

• Avoid over-edited filters – timeless and natural is better

• Skip the five near-identical photos from the same moment

• Don’t overcrowd every page – space makes photos shine

• Be careful with overly dark images – they don’t always print well

And finally…

You already have what you need – the memories, the moments and the love.

Choose a handful of photos that make your heart squeeze. Let those guide the story. And when you’re ready, print it, because these are the pages you’ll turn back to again and again.

And when your Photo Book is ready, feel free to tag @popsa if you’d like to share your creation – they always love seeing how families bring their memories to life.