I've said it before, and I'll say it again...
Though newborn photography is one of the most stressful and challenging types of photography, if you ask me, it's all worth it because it's incredibly rewarding, too.
And while starting any kind of photography business can be a challenge, with time and practice, you'll find that being a professional photographer gets easier as time goes by.
That's what these newborn photography business tips are all about - making things a little easier for you to get started!
If you're wondering how to start a photography business, consider these gear tips an essential part of getting off on the right foot.
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Camera and Lenses
I won't spend too much time on this topic because obviously you need a camera and lenses...
For the best results, an interchangeable lens camera (full frame or APS-C) is the best choice because they have manual controls and allow you to use different lenses as you see fit.
Full frame cameras are more expensive, but tend to offer better image resolution and improved low-light performance. That's not to say APS-C cameras aren't any good, because there are many models that will give you plenty of features for taking great photos.
What matters more, though is the lenses you use.
You want a good selection of lenses from wide-angles like a 35mm to short telephoto like an 85mm.
Using prime lenses is a great choice because primes produce sharper images than zooms. They also have larger apertures that allow you to shoot more effectively in dim lighting while also helping you to blur the background, as shown above.
For me, a 35mm f/1.4 lens and a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens are ideal choices for newborn photography.
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Newborn Photography Business Tips: Get Outfitted With Lighting
Though natural lighting is wonderful for newborn photography, there will be times when you need to supplement natural lighting or even completely substitute for natural lighting with artificial lighting.
First and foremost, get a reflector pack that allows you to bounce natural light (or artificial light, for that matter) back onto the newborn subject.
Reflectors are great for minimizing shadows and creating a more complete lighting profile of the subject. They're cheap, too!
On the artificial lighting front, get a softbox setup, that way you have a means of diffusing flash lighting to create a softer, more even light in the portrait. It's also helpful for the baby, too - undiffused flash lighting can startle babies, and some people believe it can also damage their eyes.
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Newborn Photography Tip: Get Outfitted With Clothing and Props
Having the right newborn clothing and newborn props can help you elevate the quality of your photos in a way that no other accessories can.
A beautiful floral crown here, a texture-filled blanket there, a perfectly-colored background, or an adorable wrap can give your newborn photos more style, elegance, color and texture.
What's more, these items can help the baby relax and fall (and stay) asleep - which is what you want when you're photographing them.
A sleeping baby is obviously much easier to work with, and their little arms and legs are moldable when they're nice and relaxed.
A soft, warm blanket or mesh wrap (like the one shown above) will make the baby feel comfortable while also helping contain movement of their arms and legs as they sleep.
A beanbag helps support baby's head, neck, and back, allowing you to safely photograph them while also giving you plenty of options for posing, too.
You can add whimsy to newborn portraits by having mom and dad dress their baby in a beautiful jumper, dress or pant set as well.
Granted, newborn photos are all about the baby, but to kick up the visual interest a notch or two, you'll want to have plenty of newborn photography accessories on hand!
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Final Thoughts
There's plenty of other newborn photography gear that you might need, including a space heater to keep the studio warm, cleaning supplies in case your little client has an accident, a white noise machine to help baby relax, and perhaps a small stockpile of diapers, baby wipes, and other baby supplies in case mom and dad run out.
But if you load up on all the essentials outlined in this article, you'll be in a good place to start your photography business with all the needed supplies.
Just remember - what ultimately makes your photos successful is you. All of the gear you buy is simply a means of enhancing your ability to get great shots!
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.