Newborn Photography

How I Got Professional Newborn Photos on a Budget Using AI And I’m Never Going Back

This blog post was authored by Leonora S., mom to Elijah

As a new mom on a budget, finding ways to save money without compromising on my baby’s health and well-being has been essential. From buying second-hand baby gear to making my own baby food and DIY-ing my nursery decor, I’ve discovered many cost-effective strategies. One of the best decisions I made that will probably surprise you, was that instead of DIY-ing my newborn photos with a nice camera or my iPhone, I used AI to do my newborn photos. Yup you heard that right — AI newborn photography sounds like it could get expensive but it was way cheaper than doing it myself.

I went DIY for getting newborn photos on a budget using Honeycomb's AI newborn photography tool

Can you believe I took this newborn photo using AI?

Affordable Alternative to Professional Photos

Professional newborn photoshoots were simply too expensive. With all the costs of diapers and baby gear, spending hundreds of dollars on a few photos wasn’t within my budget. AI-generated photos offered an affordable solution that didn’t sacrifice quality.

Cheap Alternative to DIY

As a budget mom, I love a good DIY. However, I didn’t want to spend on lots of props — from swaddle blankets to throws, accent cushions to baskets, and tiny hats and headbands of all styles — you could end up spending a pretty penny just on props for your DIY newborn photos. I love being creative but I really didn’t want to buy a ton of props for one-time use, even if I could thrift them.

How I Got My AI Newborn Photos on a Budget

With AI-generated photos, I had endless creative options. I could try different themes and styles effortlessly, creating unique and personalized photos that captured my baby in beautiful ways I couldn’t have achieved through a DIY shoot. All I had to do was upload a few at-home everyday photos of my baby from my phone and the AI generated photos as if I had paid thousands of dollars for an actual photographer, in the classic newborn photoshoot styles we all love.

Honeycomb offers so many other photo styles that I can’t wait to use AI photography for baby’s birthday party, grandparent gifts, nursery decoration…I feel like I discovered a cheap budget mom life hack that’s almost too good to share!

Other New Mom On-a-Budget Tips

Here are some other ways I’ve saved money as a new mom:

  1. Buy Second-Hand: I found great deals on baby gear at thrift stores and online marketplaces. Items like cribs, strollers, and high chairs can be ridiculously expensive when bought new, but you can save a significant amount by purchasing gently used items. Just make sure they meet current safety standards.

  2. DIY Baby Food: Once my baby started solids, making my own baby food was cheaper and allowed me to control the ingredients. It’s easy to steam and blend fruits and vegetables, and you can freeze portions for later use. This not only saves money but also ensures your baby is eating healthy, fresh food.

  3. Cloth Diapers: These aren’t for everyone, but switching to cloth diapers saved us a significant amount of money over time. While the initial investment is higher, the cost savings add up quickly compared to disposable diapers. Plus, cloth diapers are more environmentally friendly, a win-win.

  4. Borrow and Swap: Joining a local parent group can be a great way to borrow or swap baby items. Many parents are happy to pass along clothes, toys, and other baby gear once their children outgrow them. It’s a wonderful way to save money and build a supportive community.

Conclusion

For moms on a budget, AI-generated newborn photos were a game-changer for me. It was an affordable, convenient, high-quality alternative to both formal newborn photoshoots as well as DIY photoshoots. Along with other money-saving tips like buying secondhand, DIY baby food, and using cloth diapers, you can manage your budget effectively while still giving your baby the best. If you’re looking to save money while still getting beautiful baby photos, give AI-generated photos a try—you won’t be disappointed!


Honeycomb was built by moms to help busy parents get professional baby photos on a budget. Using AI, we transform everyday photos of your kid into stunning photoshoots for every milestone and holiday. Get your baby’s AI photos today!