How to document your newborn without the help of a professional. (These images were taken with the Canon Rebel T6i with stock 18-55mm lens)
It is no news that difficult times are upon us. So many businesses have closed their doors whether that be momentarily or permanently. We as a nation are not able to function as normal and sacrifices are being made. Many small businesses are trying to find ways to still service their clientele. One area of business that has taken a huge hit is the photography industry. Our sole purpose is to interact socially with clients to capture images for them. So, with this social distancing order in effect, many are left without those professional sessions they so dearly wanted. Some of the most requested and precious sessions are those revolving around bringing a new life into the world. Hospitals are on lock down and the president is pushing individuals to keep their distance and not be around anyone besides their own immediate family already living under their roof. These guidelines are expected with the crisis we are currently dealing with and it is important to adhere to these standards until we are all healthy and safe. But in the meantime, we still have parents and families who want these special once in a lifetime moments and stages captured, so what are they to do?
I am not the first photographer to do this. Many of us are thinking of our clients in these times and missing taking images and capturing moments of them, so we fully understand the importance of photographs. So, like other photographers, I have decided to put together a little cheat sheet to hopefully help you at home capture some great memories of your little one. Much of these tips can be used across all fields of photography, whether you're trying to capture your newborn in all their fuzzy wrinkly glory or your babies first birthday. I hope this guide helps you achieve photographs that you will cherish for years to come.
LIGHT: First and foremost, what you need to photograph any image is a well lit area. Indoor photography can be super tricky here unless every wall has a window which is near impossible. If you don’t have light, then your image is just going to be a dark grainy blur. So find the room in your home with the most light and watch the hours of the day to see when it gets the best lighting. I find that around here, the best daylight hours seem to be the later afternoon between 1-3, everywhere is different. Of course if you're trying to take pictures of your newborn, you may not get to decide which time of day works best for them. Either way, a well lit room is key. Once you have found the brightest room in your house, open the blinds and get near the window. Using natural window light produces some very dreamy and beautiful images. You don’t need much space around a window to achieve what you want. You also want to turn off all other lights in the room. This may seem crazy because we need light, but most home lights are yellow or a different hue than what you will be using from the window lighting so it creates off coloring. So get those babies by the window and soak up some sunshine while you document the details. Also, always remember to face the subject toward the light. If you have baby set up in front of a window and they turn their heads away from the light, then you are going to have dark shadows cast on their faces, making it hard to get those details. It is very difficult to edit bad lighting.
SPACE/BACKDROP: Now that you have found the room, creating a setting is the next step. If you're doing posed images with your baby, make sure you stand near the window for adequate light. If you have something to create a reflector to bounce the window light off of and onto the subject area from the opposite wall, do so. You can use a white blanket, white sheet, or even a white tri-board. It just has to bounce and reflect the window light back onto the subject from directly opposite their position. Don’t be afraid to move furniture around. Use the baby's bassinet, your favorite chair, or toss your mattress on the floor for a prop. If you're only documenting the baby alone, you don’t need much floor space to achieve great photos. Just make sure your backdrop area is clear of any clutter or objects you do not want in frame. Remember to keep things simple. The focus should be on the subject. Don’t have a backdrop? That’s perfectly fine. Find a solid sheet or blank wall, or clear the space directly behind where you will be placing your subject to photograph. You can tack or tape sheets to the wall or have someone hold it up for you. Or drape it over the backs of your dining chairs. I have even used the back of my couch as a solid backdrop before. Possibilities are endless if you look with the eyes of a photographer ;)
TIME: Babies tend to pick when they are the happiest so try and follow their lead. I have found that they tend to do best after feedings when they are drowsy and can easily be shifted around without being woken up. Plus those images of sleeping baby are adorable and priceless. You often catch those sleepy smiles even if they are just gas, they still make great images. Use your phone to play shushing sounds or ocean waves to keep baby calm and soothed. Crank the heat up or use a portable heater so the baby stays nice and warm and comfortable. Don’t forget Ask for help and make sure you have some extra hands. Another thing to consider when photographing your new bundle is comfort. If they aren’t happy or having it, don’t stress. One great thing about being in your own home and doing your own session is the flexibility you have. If you notice on a whim one day that baby is in a great mood, get things situated and ready for the session! Also regarding babies comfort, is clothing choice. Keep it simple. Don’t try to dress baby up in this extensive outfit. Simple plain onesies, sleepers, or gowns look the best in photos. Again, the subject is the main focus. Neutral tones work really well here. Colors that compliment your babies' complexion. Also keep this in mind for anyone in the images with the baby. You don't want some distracting pattern or logo while you're holding your little one.
ANGLES: Once you have that perfect outfit picked out and have the area prepared, you may be at a loss on what positions or angles to use. Here are a few tips. Props are key, whether they are props for the actual pictures or props to use to get those perfect angles. The most important thing to remember is never shoot up the baby's nose. Remember all those times you accidentally turned your front facing camera on and got that not so flattering shot of yourself? Yea baby doesn’t look good from that angle either. SO position yourself slightly above the baby and shoot down the nose from the top of the head or shoot directly above the baby. Unless you are getting those detailed shots where angle isn’t the main focus. Use props like couch cushions, rolled blankets, boppy pillows to create a nest. Drape a solid blanket, sheet, or even a rug on top and nestle your little one right in for a calm and comfy position. Also, don’t be afraid to lay baby flat. Whether on their tummy or their back, I have gotten some great images from laying a little one completely flat on a plain sheet or blanket. The important thing here is to experiment with angles and positions. Wrap the baby or dress them in nothing but a onesie, gown, or your favorite cloth diaper pattern. Just make sure with whatever you use, that they are comfortable and safe. Don’t be afraid to stand on a chair to get those yummy angles! Some of my favorite angles are from overhead directly above with them on their back or tummy. I have also found that it is easiest to document all the details from an elevated position. So, remember earlier when I mentioned pulling out that mattress, grab the crib mattress and some couch cushions and create a safe elevated area to use. Put the boppy pillow on top and throw a blanket/sheet/rug over for a great place to lay baby for images.
DETAILS: Details are key. What makes this stage so unique is the fact that it does not last long and newborns change so much so quickly. So, get those images of all the little details from their tiny ears and nose, long fingers and feet, to their chubby little toes. Those curls on their head may fall out or lighten or darken, so be sure to capture those as well. All that fuzz and all those wrinkles is what makes this stage so unique. Just breathe in everything you love about your little one and take a photo of it! Chubby cheeks, long eyelashes, that birthmark or freckle, those are the detail shots you will cherish for years to come.
MOMS: Last but not least, don’t be afraid to get in there. You don’t have to doll yourself up or put on anything fancy. Something comfortable and neutral. There are so many poses that can include you without you feeling like you are directly in front of the lens. This time period goes so fast and oftentimes we don’t remember much because birth and new baby kind of leaves things smushed together. So get in front of that camera. Hold your baby in front of the window, touch your noses together, set them on your lap and snap an image from your perspective. Have someone capture a feeding moment. Or while you give the baby a bath. You don’t have to be posed or looking directly at the camera for the image to capture what life was like then. Moms are always capturing those moments with dad or siblings and forget about ourselves so often. I know I wish I had more images of me and my kiddos.
Extra tip: Don't be nervous or afraid. This is meant to be a magical time for you and your little one. So capturing just a few moments of your new baby is all you need. Remember to use your natural lighting, face subject towards the light, keep things simple and baby comfortable, use flattering angles, don't use loud prints, ask for help, follow babies lead, don't forget to get those little details that make your newborn unique, and get in front of that camera yourself!
A few of my most popular poses that clients request are those where baby is being embraced by a parent. For example, babies head cradled in dad's hands or up on dad's shoulder, viewpoint from parents perspective from behind parents, baby on a parent's chest, and siblings interacting with baby.
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