I have never taken baby pictures before... but just recently got an offer from my choir teacher to take pictures of her 4 week old baby. I was a little nervous to take up this offer, but reassured myself that baby photographers have to start somehwere right? lol I said yes, but want to be decently prepared before I go over to take these baby pictures.
So I just wanted to post this quick discussion to see if any of you had some tips to share. Anything from lighting, to what angles are best, to posing (if I even should pose the baby?) would be so helpful. Any information would be greatly appreciated... especially from those of you with experience in this area :)
thanks!
(what I'm most curious about is what would make a good backdrop?)
Make sure you tell mom to hold off feeding until you are about to get there so they can sleep through the session. Bring some sort of white noise (my iphone has a free app I use). Bring a space heater for the nudie shots. Usually you want to have a baby less than 14 days old for the best sleep, but I've done 4 week olds just fine. Remember to take your time, and reassure mom that you have plenty of time. I like to remind mom that she can be in the shots too so dress up! And I like mom and dad (if dad is available and wanting) to have a black shirt to match a black background if I want to do shots like this one...
At 4 weeks the baby might be sleeping a lot so things to put him/her in are always cute [a basket or something]. Naked works too. For older babies, I like to work with what they're doing. It's hard to get a baby to look at you and get a cute pose. I'm just speaking from taking shots of my daughter, nothing pro going on over here.
@icywarm - haha I see you are able to get in a lot of practice ;) thanks for the tips!
@nicolekos - neat idea. black shirt. how do you get the black background though? long roll of black paper? or just a black wall?
@triciaanddazzle - I think a basket and blanket would be so cute. I may search some props out. oh and I'm sure your shots are more pro than you think ;)
Take along some props (or your teacher might have some- baskets, hats etc...) there are some brilliant baby photographers on here, Rebekah is the first one I think of :) @rebekahschlegel
Here are a few poses. @nicolekos - I completely agree. Noise machine, heater, warm hands, and plenty of props (hats blankets etc...). Do a search on Etsy.com for good props. I would also do a search on google for newborn photography to see some poses. This girl has phenomenal photos http://www.heidihope.com/ . Here is another personal friend of mine who is very good: http://michellemcfaddenphotography.com/#
@mattyb - GASP. your photos are soooo great. wow. I only hope I can do half as good. thanks for the links will definitlely check them out! much appreciated!!
@lauren211 I don't think I deserve that kind of reaction, but i'll take it, lol....Thank you!
You asked about backgrounds.....I used black and white fabric (Sheets/Curtains). I also use white paper that I got from a camera shop. Black curtains work pretty well because they aren't transparent (sheets can be). If you want to splurge a little, there are some nice ones that you can order from various photography websites (like brick and woodfloor etc...). I also used some sheer curtains that I bought from Walmart to infuse some color. When all else fails, just use a large white or Ivory blanket. I'm not sure what part of the world you are from, but in the US you can go to AC Moore, Michaels, Target, Walmart, Kohls or Home Goods to find some good baskets, buckets and various other props. I found a fuzzy white bathmat that I use under these baskets for some texture. Other than tat, the individual props I got from various 'shops' on Etsy.com. It can get pricey, so be careful and think about what you want before you start. I have a newborn shoot tomorrow so i'll let you know how it goes. I always use natural light for babies.....usually the kitchen works well near the sliding glass doors. I'll move the tables and chairs or whatever is in my way to get good lighting. I hope I was able to help a little.
@mattyb - thanks so so much. you were a huge help! also, those links you shared... EXCELLENT. absolutely fell in love with Heidi Hopes photography... wow. gorgeous. thanks so much!!!!
@lauren211 Here are some from yesterday's session. It was tough and didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped for. I was hoping to get more keepers but I only got around 15-20 decent ones. I had a lot of trouble posing this little guy. Hopefully mom and dad will still be happy. I just used natural light (I had to use a high ISO which I wasn't happy about but the flash was startling the baby a bit because he wasn't fully sleeping). After about 2 hours he was spent and I couldn't get any more. They had a beautiful fireplace that I wanted to use but I didn't see it until it was too late. So word of advice, scout out the house first for some good places to shoot, THEN start shooting.
I LOVE taking newborn photos so much! I have been going to Goodwill (second hand stores) to find neat props. I try very hard to put a hat or headband on them when possible to add color to thier little pale bodies. I get hats and things all over in stores/online and hand made.
Anyone have a suggestion on posing without baskets/slings, I am looking for something that make them look like they are on a 45 degree angle, head up, feet curled under. I would add an example photo here, but no idea how to.
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too much of my boy?
@nicolekos - neat idea. black shirt. how do you get the black background though? long roll of black paper? or just a black wall?
@triciaanddazzle - I think a basket and blanket would be so cute. I may search some props out. oh and I'm sure your shots are more pro than you think ;)
Don't forget closeups of little details - hands, feet, eyelashes etc.
@rebekahschlegel
Here are a few poses. @nicolekos - I completely agree. Noise machine, heater, warm hands, and plenty of props (hats blankets etc...). Do a search on Etsy.com for good props. I would also do a search on google for newborn photography to see some poses. This girl has phenomenal photos http://www.heidihope.com/ . Here is another personal friend of mine who is very good: http://michellemcfaddenphotography.com/#
You asked about backgrounds.....I used black and white fabric (Sheets/Curtains). I also use white paper that I got from a camera shop. Black curtains work pretty well because they aren't transparent (sheets can be). If you want to splurge a little, there are some nice ones that you can order from various photography websites (like brick and woodfloor etc...). I also used some sheer curtains that I bought from Walmart to infuse some color. When all else fails, just use a large white or Ivory blanket. I'm not sure what part of the world you are from, but in the US you can go to AC Moore, Michaels, Target, Walmart, Kohls or Home Goods to find some good baskets, buckets and various other props. I found a fuzzy white bathmat that I use under these baskets for some texture. Other than tat, the individual props I got from various 'shops' on Etsy.com. It can get pricey, so be careful and think about what you want before you start. I have a newborn shoot tomorrow so i'll let you know how it goes. I always use natural light for babies.....usually the kitchen works well near the sliding glass doors. I'll move the tables and chairs or whatever is in my way to get good lighting. I hope I was able to help a little.
@nicolekos - oh yeah! good idea. thanks Nicole:D
@lauren211 Here are some from yesterday's session. It was tough and didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped for. I was hoping to get more keepers but I only got around 15-20 decent ones. I had a lot of trouble posing this little guy. Hopefully mom and dad will still be happy. I just used natural light (I had to use a high ISO which I wasn't happy about but the flash was startling the baby a bit because he wasn't fully sleeping). After about 2 hours he was spent and I couldn't get any more. They had a beautiful fireplace that I wanted to use but I didn't see it until it was too late. So word of advice, scout out the house first for some good places to shoot, THEN start shooting.
@russianblue - hey you're welcome! :D
Anyone have a suggestion on posing without baskets/slings, I am looking for something that make them look like they are on a 45 degree angle, head up, feet curled under. I would add an example photo here, but no idea how to.