There’s a lot to consider when it comes to newborn photos, from finding the right light to planning your pose.
Natural light is one of the easiest ways to get great photos. Find a spot in your house with a window or glass door and snap photos of your baby in front of it. Here are tips to help you get great newborn photos every time!
Find the Right Light
Choosing the right light is one of the most important parts of getting great newborn photos. A good light will flatter your subject and make your camera work as it should.
You can find a good light source by using natural window lighting or a softbox with a diffuser to soften the light coming in. This is a much better option than a strong strobe or continuous lights, which are often too harsh for newborn photography.
The best way to find the right light is to experiment with different scenarios until you feel your newborn photos are as beautiful as you want them to be. You may need to move your position to the right or left until you love how the light affects the baby’s face and whole body.
Newborns are very sensitive to their surroundings, and it’s a good idea to try and use natural light.
Plan Your Pose
The poses you choose for your newborn photos will be some of the most important parts of your session. They set the tone for what you’re shooting, and they can make or break your session. So it’s important to plan your poses and ensure you’re doing them correctly.
Many photographers struggle to get their models to pose properly, which can lead to disappointment and even a lost opportunity for the photoshoot.
First and foremost, plan your shoot to take place during the optimal sleeping window. Newborns are most sleepy from day 7 onwards, so this is the best time to capture them.
It’s also a great time to include siblings in your session. Siblings love being included in photos, which will help create a more cohesive gallery of images for the client.
Bring Your Patience
When you’re photographing newborns, patience is key. It takes time to get the right light, find the best poses and set up your gear. It also takes time to keep a baby relaxed and happy, especially during the initial few weeks of their life.
Patience is a skill that can be taught, and photographers need to practice it often. It will help them in many areas of their lives, including at work and in their personal relationships.
Patience in these situations can be difficult, but it’s worth it. It will make you a better person, and it will have a positive impact on your health.
Practising patience can be as simple as finding a way to take deep breaths, stop, and think when you’re frustrated. It can also be as complex as noticing what’s causing your impatience in the first place and focusing on the bigger picture.
Bring the Right Gear
Newborn photography requires a certain set of tools to capture the best shots. These include a camera, lighting and good gear for newborn posing.
In addition, you’ll need to bring a variety of wraps and blankets to choose from. These will help protect the skin, hide any imprint marks and redness on the baby’s skin, and cover up their private parts.
A pacifier can also be used during the session to soothe the baby and encourage them into a pose. It’s also a great way to keep them from fussing and looking enraged, which can be distracting.
Lastly, being prepared for accidents and breaks during the shoot is important. Infants often cry, have bathroom breaks, or need more feeding during photoshoots. It can disrupt the photographer’s workflow and ruin your images if you don’t prepare accordingly.
Be Prepared
As with any photography session, a newborn photoshoot requires plenty of preparation to get great results. From finding the right light to planning your poses, you’ll want to be prepared to capture the perfect shot every time.
It’s also important to consider their hunger levels when taking family photos, so make sure you have enough snacks on hand so they won’t become overly hungry and fidgety during the shoot.
Aside from these props, you’ll need to prepare a few wardrobe changes for your baby and any siblings included in the photos. It can include cute outfits and funny ones like a bear onesie or bloomers.
No matter your experience level, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to get great newborn photos every time. So, if you’re looking for ways to improve your photography skills, keep these tips in mind and you’ll surely get amazing images every time!
