What is Lifestyle Newborn Photography? 4 Tips for Getting Started
- Lifestyle Newborn Photography in Natural Light
- Go Outside for Lifestyle Newborn Photography
- Include Family in Lifestyle Newborn Photography
- Handheld Camera Frees Up Framing and Posing
- Lifestyle Newborn Photography - Embrace the Fidgeting
- Provide High-Quality Prints of the Images
- Recommended Photography Gear
- Expert Tips for Printing Photos
- Essential Portrait Photography Gear
- Beginner Portrait Photography - 5 Essential Tips to Get You Started
Photo by waraphorn-aphai via iStock
Newborn photography is a popular form of portraiture that focuses on capturing an infant in their first few weeks of life. It's a beautiful art form, and sessions result in treasured heirloom photographs.
Lifestyle newborn photography moves beyond the delivery room documentation or posing table portraits and shows the infant moving out into the big wide world. Similar to lifestyle portraits for older kids or adults, newborn lifestyle photography incorporates elements around the home or outside.
Let’s explore a few tips to help you capture the beauty of this stage of life!
Table of Contents:
Lifestyle Newborn Photography in Natural Light
Photo by monkeybusinessimages via iStock
Newborn lifestyle photography is a little different from the more traditional or formal portraits we may be used to. One of the things that makes lifestyle newborn photography special is that it puts the viewer into the image, making them feel a part of it.
Natural lighting for lifestyle newborn photography is a good way to make the viewer feel as though they are right there with the image. Within the parameters of natural lighting, we can still adjust or control certain aspects of lighting.
For instance, a collapsible 5-in-1 or 6-in-1 reflector can be used to great advantage. Not only can we redirect some of the light to create a lighting ratio or a fill light, but we can also change the color balance of that light by using either the warmer or cooler panels of the reflector kit. A gold panel warms things up, while a silver panel cools it down, white being mostly neutral.
Go Outside for Lifestyle Newborn Photography
Photo by PavelPV via iStock
Outdoor newborn lifestyle photography is the epitome of a natural look for this style of photography. The natural element is conducive to imparting feelings of unity, growth, togetherness, and the wonders of life.
We do need to exhibit care for outdoor newborn lifestyle photography. Extremes of heat or cold would not be a good idea, nor would windy weather or any precipitation. So, we can look for some alternatives to suggest the outdoors in our newborn lifestyle photography, such as an enclosed porch or perhaps a sunroom. An indoor botanical garden might work as well.
Include Family in Lifestyle Newborn Photography
Indoors or outdoors, including family in the lifestyle newborn photography adds to the overall feel of togetherness we’re trying to capture and convey with our portrait sessions.
The newborn child exists within an established framework of family and friends. Remember, too, some friends are actually closer to some people than relatives may be, so it might be worthwhile to check that out during the pre-session discussions.
Mom and Dad are obvious choices of who to include in the photos, but older siblings can be included if there are any. Some of the best moments come from that sibling reaction to their new baby brother or sister. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, best friends, and any of these relationships are proper subjects to include.
Handheld Camera Frees Up Framing and Posing
Photo by Fly View Productions via iStock
In many portrait photography, lighting configurations and camera placement are static. They stay in one place with light stands, tripods, camera mounts, etc. For lifestyle newborn photography, freeing up the photographer’s movement by using the camera handheld is often better.
Handheld is a valid method for a lot of lifestyle portraiture. It especially comes in handy for any time we’re dealing with children as our subject matter. Of course, we will want a high enough ISO or fast enough lens aperture to provide usable shutter speeds.
Check out some of our low light tutorials for photographers' techniques and methods for hand-holding the camera without camera shake. Newer cameras, especially mirrorless models, have amazing image stabilization, so take advantage of that as well.
Lifestyle Newborn Photography - Embrace the Fidgeting
Photo by ilona titova via iStock
Since we’re keyed in on being able to use natural or portable lighting and using our camera handheld, we’re set up better to be able to capture those fleeting moments that come and go so rapidly with lifestyle newborn photography.
You might as well embrace the fidgeting, which can be any movement, not only an uncomfortable or crying child. Being adjustable ourselves is vital for any style of child portrait photography. Just be kind, be reasonable, and acquiesce to the parent’s or guardian’s wishes.
Provide High-Quality Prints of the Images
Once we’ve captured all those wonderful images in our lifestyle newborn photography session, we want to provide our clients with the best possible display methods.
Artbeat Studios has everything you would want in this regard. That perfect picture from the session can be made into an extraordinary, large wall art photo. Canvas prints work exceptionally well for newborn pictures. It has a charm that ties together all those aspects of family togetherness.
Here’s an example of the wonderful reaction you can cause by providing a family with ultra-high-quality photo prints of loved ones. It’s from the Artbeat Studios YouTube channel:
Alternatively, a modern or contemporary look and feel can be provided with high-quality metal and acrylic prints. All three of these printing options will give the family an heirloom piece of photo art commemorating the arrival of that precious newborn child.
The entire process of lifestyle newborn photography, from the pre-birth meeting with the client to the final delivery of a high-quality heirloom photo print, is a joy. Use these tips to make your lifestyle newborn photography images part of that family’s joy.
