Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
When it comes to newborn photography, there's a lot to consider.
Not only do you have the typical list of tasks you have with any portrait subject - lighting, wardrobe, composition, and the like - but you also have a very delicate, often temperamental little human that you have to ensure is safe throughout the shoot.
For me, newborn photography has to rank right at the top of the most stressful photography gigs with weddings.
It's not something I'd recommend for the faint of heart, that's for sure!
Yet, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to make the most of your infant photography sessions.
Heck, these tips are so simple and straightforward that you don't even have to be a professional to use them and use them well.
Without further ado, let's explore a few of these tricks to help you take better photos of infants.
Take Inspiration From Your Subject
Photo by Gina Y Photography
Just like with any portrait subject, you'll want to be prepared for the shoot with a shot list, which is likely something you'll create with the help of the baby's parents.
However, as handy as shot lists are to have, don't get trapped by the notion that you have to get each and every shot on the list.
If you do that, you run the risk of the photo shoot becoming a little rigid, which can show up in the photos you take.
When working with a baby, you have to learn to roll with the punches, and that flexibility can help you get shots that might be even better than the ones from your shot list.
In the image above, continuing to fire the shutter as the baby opened his eyes, moved his legs, and stretched his arms resulted in a very sweet photo that might not have been captured had the photographer not continued to shoot.
Photo by Baby Bare Photography
Similarly, you can take a cue from a baby that's sound asleep, because that's a prime time to capture photos.
In the example above, note how the baby isn't perfectly posed - and that's okay.
Her head is a little askew, her mouth is open, and her arms aren't clasped closely to her chest as was likely the desired look for the photo.
But rolling with the punches allowed the photographer to capture a very sweet moment nonetheless, and one in which the baby looks relaxed, happy, and perhaps more natural than she would have been had she been more formally posed.
Posed Photos Should Occur in the First Couple of Weeks
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
You really have two choices when it comes to the style of your newborn photos: lifestyle and posed.
In the case of the former, there's definitely more leeway regarding how you work.
Posed portraits of infants are another animal, though.
Because they require so much time and effort to get the baby to look just right, it's best that posed portraits are done when the baby is small, sleeps a lot, and is fairly moldable.
By moldable, I mean that a brand new newborn can be positioned fairly easily, as seen in the image above, because their little bodies are so flexible and because they sleep so much.
Another aspect of their "moldability" is that newborns can be swaddled in blankets, as seen above, for a different take on the "perfect shot" of a newborn.
Regardless of the type of pose you and the parents of the baby select, it's essential that the utmost care is taken to ensure the baby's safety.
Poses like the one in the first image above should be done delicately, with the parents close by ready to support their child should he or she start to lean, slide, or fall over.
When wrapping babies in blankets or newborn wraps, ensure that they aren't too tight. Also ensure that the blankets or wraps are soft, warm, and not too flashy, like the one you see in the image above.
When shooting in the studio, also be prepared for frequent breaks. The baby will wake up, and there will no doubt be the need to feed and change the baby as well.
Use Props Selectively
Photo by Marie Grantham Photography
As with any portrait, adding props to a newborn photo shoot can be both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, if the props chosen are over-the-top, they can easily distract the viewer's eye from the real star of the photo - the baby.
On the other hand, if the props lack much visual punch at all, they just become something else occupying space in the frame, without a real purpose to their presence that's evident to the viewer.
On top of that, the more props you (or the parents) bring to the shoot, the more easily overwhelmed all of you can be at the prospect of which props to begin with, how many to use, and so forth.
That means you have to strike the right balance, as was done in the image above.
Note how the scene is relatively nondescript, so the canopy over the baby doesn't become too overwhelming for the shot.
The dark background helps the canopy pop, and its delicate lace adds a little texture to the scene while also helping frame the baby in the shot.
Photo by K. Photography
A great way to add a little interest to your newborn photos without going overboard is utilizing props like the crown and angel wings in the image above.
These gorgeous props for newborn photography from Sew Trendy Accessories give a little sparkle to your images that's enough to catch the eye without overwhelming it.
In the case of the image above, note how the crown and wings are paired with a very detail-free shot - the baby is without clothes and the blanket is a single color with just a little texture evident in the foreground.
Photo by Loni Smith Photography
Another option is to add a floral headband like the one seen above.
Like the rhinestone crown, the floral headband adds some visual interest to the portrait, but without seeming out of place or over the top.
In this instance, the flowers add color and texture, but those features aren't overwhelming because of the simple, Bohemian styling of the crown.
And by coordinating the crowns, wings, headbands, and other props you might use with the rest of the elements in the scene, you further make the prop something that's integral to the shot as opposed to an add-on.
In the image above, note how the colors of the baby's jumper and the blanket are incorporated into the crown.
Therein is the secret with using props in newborn photography - make them an integral component of the shot, and they will enhance the beauty of the baby rather than feeling like something that was added to the photo without much thought.
Watch That Aperture
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
A lot of photographers that aren't used to photographing babies might default to shooting wide open. However, that's a mistake.
For starters, you'll often be working at odd angles with very steep or shallow points of view.
When that's the case, shooting as wide as possible can result in parts of the baby falling outside the depth of field.
What's more, with all those odd angles, you run the risk of having one of the baby's eyes in focus and the other not, which I don't have to tell you is not the look you want.
Instead, avoid your lens's maximum aperture and step it down by two or three stops. That will give you the added depth of field you need to ensure the entirety of the baby's face is in focus, even if you work from very steep angles.
Wrapping It Up
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
Working as a newborn photographer is challenging, but the time and effort you put into the craft certainly pays dividends when it all goes right.
Remember, plan ahead with a shot list, but don't be afraid to deviate as the baby "speaks to you" and the circumstances warrant a shift in your approach.
Also ensure that if the goal is to get perfectly posed shots, that the photo shoot needs to happen in the first couple of weeks of the baby's life. Doing so ensures you can pose the baby with the greatest of ease while adding beautiful and tasteful props to the scene that add visual punch.
Last but not least, keep an eye on the aperture you use, opting for something a little smaller to increase the depth of field, that way your sweet subject is in focus.
If you can do these things (or, even just one of these things!), you'll find that your newborn photos are for the better!
About Sew Trendy
This is a company that photographers absolutely need to be in touch with. Their gowns, crowns, and other high-quality accessories (like those shown in the images above) are just what you need for maternity photos, photos of newborns, and mommy and me sessions. These accessories not only make your clients look and feel great, but they also add a depth of detail and interest to your photos that elevate the images to an entirely other level. What started out with just a few people manufacturing these eye-catching items is a growing business that provides accessories to photographers worldwide. Help your clients look and feel their best by partnering with Sew Trendy Accessories.