Baby Photography Tips For Infants And Newborns January 10th, 2010
We all know that photographing a newborn can be somewhat challenging and unpredictable. Here are some useful Baby Photography Tips For Infants And Newborns that can make your sittings go as smoothly as possible.
Tips #1 Learning The Location
If this is a location shoot, you will probably want to visit the home first, so you can check out the windows and be sure that you will have adequate light. If this is not possible, ask the parents what the lighting is like for the particular time of day that your sitting is scheduled.
Tips #2 Discuss The Wardrobe
Discuss with the parents prior to the sitting how they feel about the baby’s wardrobe. You should consider photographing their wrinkly, soft-skinned bodies, so try to encourage the parents to forego the clothing.
They are only an infant for such a short period of time and we want to capture every little part of them! Make sure to remind parents to remove clothes or anything that may leave marks on the baby’s delicate skin approximately 1 hour prior to the sitting. This really helps in post-editing so you won’t be spending all of your time getting rid of sock marks, etc.
Tips #3 Room Temperature
Before the sitting, make sure that the room or location is very warm. Newborns can be very uncooperative when they are cold. I sometimes use a heating pad underneath the backdrop or material that the baby is laying on for extra warmth.
Tips #4 Be Prepared
Be sure to have any props, baby posers, backdrops, etc. ready prior to the sitting. Keep hand sanitizer, clean blankets, paper towels, disinfectant cleaner, baby wipes and tissues handy. Trust me, you will need these things!
Tips #5 Natural Posing
Pose infants in their natural position. It looks awkward and unnatural to see them sitting upright . A beanbag poser is an easy way to pose a baby because it naturally molds around the baby’s body. Not to mention that it is very safe and comfortable for the infant.
Tips #6 Choose The Right Height And Angles
Get down to their level. When you shoot down low at the baby’s level, you are bringing the viewer into the baby’s world vs. standing over the baby and looking down on it. Very often, I lay on the floor on my stomach for some great captures.
Although, most of my time is spent at the baby’s level, it is a good idea to consider other angles. You can also try shooting from a bird’s eye view or from down below the baby’s level to show other interesting perspectives.
Photographing newborns and infants requires a lot of patience. I always allow extra time for these sessions because they can be so unpredictable. Follow these tips and you will be on your way to nailing your next newborn session.
Happy Shooting! 
This entry was posted on Sunday, January 10th, 2010 at 1:43 am and is filed under Baby Photography, business, photography, portraits, poses, posing, studio, techniques, tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
14 Responses
Mark Says:
Great tips Scot as usual, I especially like the room temp tip, unfortunately the last baby I attempted to photograph had developed the most runny nose ( I wish I’d had those wipes!)
Evelyn Sederquist Says:
Thank you Scott and Lisa for sharing those tips, especially the one about shooting at the babies level. Getting down low to bring the viewer into the baby\’s world! Also the tip about removing the clothes that leave marks an hour before the session! I can just imagine the lines from the socks on the ankles, and the work required to remove them!
Kimberly Says:
Great Tips Scott, never thought of the heating pad under the background or blanket before. Will be definitely putting together a \"baby bag\" with the wipes and other items mentioned. Thanks!
One Says:
Lol.. Just a right time! I was looking for baby photography tips for my baby.. My baby now 1 month 4 days so I think not the right time rite?. Thanks a lot for this great tips..
Judy Kaspar Says:
Thanks Scott, Those are great tips. I will need to keep those handy for the next infant shoot I do.
Judy
Bekkie Says:
Thanks Scott! These are awesome tips in a very well written and easy to understand way. I can tell you’ve had a lot of experience in this area. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Arthur LoPrinzo Says:
Terrific post Scott, you covered just about everthing but I would like to mention one more small thing that might also help the infant to relax. MUSIC can have a calming effect for some babies, ask the parent if the infant appears to be more relaxed and happy when certain music is played or maybe just having, I hate to say it, a TV on.
Thanks again Scott for helping people gain confidence in their photographic skills and abilities and the necessary direction to begin a thriving photography business.
Ken Mc Grath Says:
Hi Scot,
Thanks for the handy tips!! all i need now is a baby model to shoot lol. Where can i buy the digital backgrounds??
thanks
Ken
Ireland
Tanya Brown Says:
Thanks for the great tips. I love shooting my 4 month old grandson as a model for my website. Can you tell me where to get a beanbag poser from. That would be nice to have.
Jackie Snyder Says:
In one of your videos you said your print lab offers a mounting & laminating option (this was in the “fee” photo for $224 video). What print lab do you use? In the video you said to post this question & you would tell me who I could use to get this option.
Thank you for your help.
Jackie
USA
Fancy Says:
Hi Scott, Right on time. My cousin just had a baby 12/31/09. I’m hoping to take photos real soon… These are great tips and I will definitley use them.
Denise Says:
hello Scott
I was wandering where you found the nice fish bowl. I am having trouble finding one as nice. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
Denise Says:
hello
how am i supposed to receive the free digital download for the month with the club membership? thanks
genelia gomez Says:
well written Scott! my sister got baby last few month and i am really excited about making photography of baby.
