10 min read Tiny subjects, Big impact: Tips and techniques for newborn photography

Newborn photography is a very specific topic of portraiture. If the newborn is your own or belongs to a family member or close friend, maybe you are looking to take a few snaps and need some tips. Or, you may be a professional photographer who is looking to make a venture into the newborn market.

Here is a guide on newborn photography. If you do not have a personal experience with newborns, it's mandatory that you get some before you start working with your clients. It's not as easy as it looks, and practiced hand and confidence is really very important

Use blankets or a crib mattress on the floor. Even the most settled and calm newborn can wiggle themselves into a dangerous situation in no time, so anything else is just not worth the risk. A small mattress or blankets on the floor can be combined with cloth backdrops to make all the effects you need. Remember, the baby is the start of the show, so there's no reason to go overboard with the setup. Keep the colors neutral, like black, white, or tan. 

• The Very First and Important Rule of Newborn Photography: His/Her Safety

Keeping the baby safe in the studio is actually very tricky than it seems. Ensure that everything happens down low, and that poses are in the position of a lie-down. If the baby rolls from one way to another, there should not be any danger of a fall or drop.

All the nearby props should be baby-safe. If you don't regularly do newborn shoots in your studio, it's a good idea to do a detailed run-through. Get a doll and find your basic positions and then practice lighting and setup. At the same time, look here and there and ensure that there are no backgrounds, lights, or cables around that might be hazardous.

Before the shoot, wash your hands, sanitize, and clean the surfaces where the baby will be posted. Remember that newborns do not have a completely developed immune system. If you think that you are sick, it's better to reschedule the shoot.

You also need to do a good job of communicating with your clients. Naturally, the parents are going to be worried about their lovely baby and you need to ensure that they understand that the safety and comfort of their baby is your top priority to put their minds at ease.

• Styles of Baby Photography

The timing of newborn baby photography is dependent on the type of images your client is looking for. Lifestyle photos are images that capture the interactions and relationships of individuals within the family. The memories from the stressful and hectic days early in a newborn child’s life are often fleeting and gone like a blur. Since lifestyle photography affords you some flexibility, timing is not too critical, and you can do lifestyle newborn photos at any convenient time.

The ideal time to conduct a photoshoot is when the child is five to ten days old. During this period, the infant spends most of its time curled up and sleeping and can be easily photographed. However, after two weeks, the baby tends to move about and become much more active, making it difficult to get a good shot. Of course, you can still photograph the baby but you will now be spending more time getting it to stay calm and looking for good shots.

• Five Top newborn photography tips:

1. Be flexible:

The top tip for any newborn photographer is to be flexible. This goes without saying that your shoot might not go as you planned it. Sometimes the baby will refuse to cooperate and fidget a lot. It is important that you don't lose your temperament and keep on shooting. Often, the best images pop out from the most unexpected and sudden moments.

2. Be confident:

Going into a shoot, everyone tends to pick up any nervous vibes. The first people to notice will be the parents who would be keeping a close watch over you and would lose confidence in your ability to successfully photograph their baby. It is of utmost importance that you keep your cool and exhibit professional confidence. It helps to have some photography experience before working with clients.

3. Use the aperture carefully:

Many times in portrait and wedding photography, you have the temptation to open the lens of your camera to its maximum. The bokeh effect of a wide-open lens is one of the most sought-after image types in photography. But beware, this technique may land you into trouble with baby photography. With all the odd angles and reclined positions that newborns pose, leaving the lens aperture wide open can lead to the depth of the field being insufficient. So keeping this in mind, make sure you work with a stop or two higher than the lowest f-stop on your lens.

4. Avoid bright strobes:

You should absolutely avoid bright strobes and opt for baby-safe lighting. Most professionals prefer to make use of natural lighting. This will make the mood of the images seem natural as well. Using filtered light, you can work wonders in your images. During a studio session, you can utilize external speed lights and strobes bounced off other surfaces or even use diffusers to make the light more mellow.

5. Keep it warm:

You'll want to have the house or studio warmed up between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the baby warm. This helps in creating a loving and relaxed atmosphere for the baby. It will help you ensure that the shoot is a fun experience for both the parents and the baby.

• Newborn photography props and setup:

The most ideal setup for a baby photo shoot is a well-lit studio-like setting. However, if you have agreed to shoot at the baby’s home, it is best to plan the shoot and have a consultation session with the parents on-site so that you may scout the best locations for the photo shoot.

Before you go for the shoot, it is good to prepare with 3-4 setups and have poses in mind that you know the parents will adore. Planning on many more than this can become counterproductive as these photo shoots can be quite unpredictable.

Never go for poses that include making the baby sit on tables or chairs as they can fall from there. If you need the child on the floor for any photo, make sure you use blankets or a crib mattress. Even the most docile newborn can make their way into a dangerous situation in no time at all, do not take any risks. It is best to use natural and neutral colors such as black, white, or tan.

Always be creative with how you use your surroundings to your advantage and let the baby take the lead in terms of poses. You’ll be surprised by the number of great shots babies give when left to their own devices. If shooting in the baby’s home, use the props present in the house. If shooting in the studio, you can request the family to bring along a few items with them that you may use as props.