Spring is in the air, and I don't know about you, but I'm thinking of all the ways to use springtime as inspiration for newborn photography.
It's a great time of year to get outside and take some portraits.
Heck, it's a great time of year to take some indoor portraits with a springtime flair, too.
If you're looking for a few ways to celebrate the season while giving your newborn photography some added visual interest, give these springtime newborn photo ideas a try.
Incorporate Color
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
Springtime is all about renewal, and for many of us, that means an explosion of color in the environments in which we live.
Why not capitalize on the abundance of color and incorporate it into your springtime newborn photography?
This is particularly helpful if you're shooting indoors because the addition of some vibrant colors will help give your photos that sense of springtime without the benefit of being outside.
In the image above, the bursts of orange add a sense of vitality to the shot that screams of springtime.
Not only do the flowers add color, but they also help give the image some dimension. The petals of the flowers create an interesting texture that helps add some depth, which is aided by the blurriness of the floral background due to the shallow depth of field.
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
In another take on adding color, the image above shows how you can incorporate more subtle colors, but with the same effect of generating a distinct springtime vibe.
Here, the soft orange tones create a beautifully soft backdrop for the portrait of this newborn.
And by incorporating those same subtle orange tones in the newborn's floral crown and wrap, the image has greater cohesion.
The result is an image that looks fresh, clean, and colorful - just like spring!
Let the Wardrobe Capture the Mood of Spring
Photo by Belly Beautiful Portraits
Springtime is all about lightness and brightness, and using those same characteristics in the baby's wardrobe will help you capture the essence of spring.
That means utilizing gowns and rompers that are airy, light, and colorful - all details that we associate with spring.
In the image above, notice how the baby's gown is elegant, yet simple. The lace details add the softness that's reminiscent of the spring, while the bow on the back adds just enough detail to make the gown a little more eye-catching.
An important tip when photographing a baby in any season is to thoroughly inspect their wardrobe before you press the shutter button. Look for bunching or folds that will distract the viewer's attention, and if the baby is wearing a gown or a dress, make sure it isn't wrapped under the baby and instead has a flowing look, as seen above.
Photo by Shannon Leigh Studios
Another wardrobe option that's ideal for spring is a crown that mimics the feeling of the season.
In the photo above, there is a distinct springtime feeling due to the floral background and the soft, floral tones of the newborn's gown.
But that springtime effect is heightened by including the floral crown.
Even though the headband and the flowers are very small, dainty, and delicate, they have a powerful effect on the overall feel of the photo.
The flowers are reminiscent of being outside on a spring day, and the cloud-like bed on which the baby is laying reminds you of a warm spring day with a sky full of big, white clouds.
Take the Opportunity to Use Props
Photo by Axsys Design
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - props can go really wrong, really fast. That's the case for any kind of portrait, including newborn photography.
But that doesn't mean that you can't ever use newborn photography props and use them effectively.
The key is to ensure that the props you're using in your photos don't take away from the view of the baby.
Take the image above as a prime example of this concept.
The addition of the flowers gives the shot that springtime feel but in a way that enhances our view of the baby.
This is due in part to a couple of compositional choices.
First, the higher point of view means that we can look down into the flowers rather than through them, giving us an unobstructed view of the baby's face.
Second, the flowers form a frame around the baby (more on that later) that helps keep our attention on the tiny model. The circular shape of the flower arrangement is echoed in the baby's headband, which gives the shot nice balance and symmetry as well.
Photo by Julia Rozental Photography
In this photo, we see a different take on using props with a baby that's a bit older.
Once they are able to sit up on their own, you've got a whole new set of possibilities for incorporating props into the shot.
Here, the color palette continues with the theme of spring with bright colors, and the use of flowers only emphasizes the spring theme.
But the most important props are the crate in which the baby is sitting and the gorgeous headdress and gown that she's wearing.
The crate, like the flower arrangement in the previous shot, helps contain our eye on the subject. Meanwhile, the colorful and intricate crown and gown further pull our attention to the center of the shot.
With so many other props and details in this image, it was crucial that the photographer use props to draw our attention to the little model.
That was done very successfully by using the baby's wardrobe as an eye-catching prop.
Use a Frame Within a Frame
Photo by Baby Bare Photography
Using a frame within a frame is a tried-and-true technique for helping direct the viewer's attention toward the primary subject.
And while this trick can be used for any type of photo in any season, it's especially helpful for newborn photography.
After all, you're photographing a tiny subject, and when you incorporate some of the elements listed above, like springtime wardrobe and prop selections, the baby can get lost in all of the supporting details in the shot.
As noted earlier, a frame within a frame, like the crib in the image above, helps direct our attention where it needs to go, in this case, to gaze upon the beautiful babies inside the crib.
Notice how the frame of the crib does this job even in the relative absence of other details in the shot.
In that regard, this frame is fairly subtle, especially because it's white in a photo that has an abundance of white.
Photo by Marie Grantham Photography
But in this shot, notice how the frame works in a more literal sense.
The A-frame shape the lace canopy frames the baby's face beautifully and helps direct our attention downward toward the baby.
What's more, the upside down A-frame shape of the cloth that's falling over the edge of the crib helps keep our eye from moving too far downward, again, with the effect of keeping our attention on the gorgeous little subject.
Beyond that, notice how delicate the materials are in this shot. This helps create that sense of renewal and rebirth that we associate with spring.
Though each of these tips might seem like a bit of overthinking the composition, when it comes to newborn photography, it's important to be purposeful in how you approach each shot. That goes for choosing the colors and the wardrobe, using props, and incorporating frames within the frame as well.
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