6 Tips for Lifestyle Baby Photography
There are two main ways of taking photos of babies, just like a pendulum, it is in extremes. One side is when you decide as a photographer to go all out with the props, the setting, and the pose which are all directed and in place while the other side is when you take photos naturally with everything at its natural state, where there is no need for props or setting up backdrops, and where the poses, smiles, and actions are not directed of some sort; this natural side of the pendulum is the lifestyle photography. Here are 6 tips on how you can achieve those natural photos that no-doubt captures the hearts of your clients.
1. Be Well Equipped for Every Setting
Wide angle prime lens and reflectors are only the basics that you need to be equipped with when take lifestyle photographs. As a photographer, you need to be able to compromise your equipment effectively when choosing to take photos outdoors or indoors or both. This is where macro lenses come in as well. Extreme close ups on details are captured with macro lenses like the latest Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX ED VR Micro that works well under low light and is very fast just so you can capture all those precious moments at a half-seconds notice.
2. The First 10 Days are The Best Days
Baby photography can be very tricky especially when you are trying to capture the natural side of it that is untouched, fragile, and calm. All these can be achieved when the baby is only 10 days old. Usually it is considered that the newborn bracket is from the first to the third month but as a photographer, newborns under the first few days are the most rewarding ones. There is the moment of innocence and calmness since the baby will only be sleeping throughout the whole shoot and also the rare times of the family feeding, caressing, and kissing him/her for the first time.
3. Take Note of the Setting
Before you decide on all the other factors, you must first decide where to take these photos. The house is always the best option because it literally hits home for the family. It will capture more of the natural background and it will insert more emotions and familiarity in the photos. The best part about it is that all your photos will always be different per client since every house is different from the next.
4. Capture Every Single Detail
As I said, details are the most important factors that you need to capture. Talk to the family and know the important things like the quilt made by the great grandma that has stayed with them for years, the family pet, or the baby’s favorite toy. Be mindful of the color palette as well. You would want your photos to come out in a cohesive manner so this is where the light comes in. Natural light is the best light to work with when taking photos of babies. Newborn babies especially. They are very sensitive so light from built-in flash or external flash can irritate them and ruin the setting. Make sure you work fast too. Natural light is limited and it is better to take as many shots as possible to maintain a steady color frame for all you photos.
5. Candid Photos are Perfect
As you focus on the details, you would notice too that the shots you take of the family doing their everyday routine with the baby are the moments worth capturing. Never put down you camera at these moments! Take advantage of these candid situations and capture the raw emotion that will make your clients love the outcome even more.
6. Be Flexible and Positive
Oftentimes, as a photographer, you will have to be patient and flexible to the client’s needs and special requests and you would also have to deal with the natural urges of a baby like when they poop, or puke, or randomly cry. These moments need to be expected and looked upon on a positive note to be able to build strong relationship with not only the baby but also the rest of the family.