In this post I wanted to share a couple of portraits from a recent newborn session.

A couple of weeks ago my cousin gave birth to a precious baby girl.  Five days later she texted me  and asked if I had any time to stop by  that afternoon and take a few pictures for her.  We all know that babies are sleepy during their first two weeks of life and this is the best time to capture those sweet sleeping images so I couldn’t resist!  

Tip #1 – Turn Up The HEAT!

I told her to crank the heat up and I would be there in an hour.

Here’s a list of what I took with me for this session.

1. Small white vinyl backdrop (5′x7′) 
2. Large soft blanket
3. Heating pad
4. Few cute props
5. ….and of course my camera

No Excuses…Use What You Have!

I want you to know that all I had was the items I listed above. I didn’t have a big fancy studio or my professional lights. I used natural light and bounced my flash when I need to. So, because I didn’t bring a backdrop stand, I just draped the backdrop up on her bed.  The lighting was pretty good and the bed was high enough that she didn’t have to bend over much.  Anyone who has given birth and has had a c-section will tell you that bending over can be dangerous and not to mention extremely painful!  I like to make sure the Mom is comfortable and doesn’t have to do much bending during the sitting!

Before draping the backdrop over her headboard, we took a large piece of plywood and put it underneath, so when I set the props down they would have a hard surface to keep them stable.  Always remember that safety is your first priority with newborns!

I usually let Mom choose which props she would like to use first.  Since my cousin is a bird lover, she decided to use my  grapevine basket that looks like a little bird’s nest.  I scrunched up a neutral colored blanket that was warmed up in the dryer and put it inside the nest.  

Next…we placed Baby Gianna in her warm nest where she  looked so cozy and peaceful. She was even smiling at times.  I think she must have been dreaming of mamma bird bringing her lunch

Ok…so next we decided to try the distressed green wooden bucket I just purchased.  Once again we warmed the blanket and place her inside. Her cheek was a little scrunched up at first so I took a small washcloth, folded it a couple of times and placed it under the blanket to lift her head.  Mom was standing right next to baby and I told her never to look at me and only focus on Gianna.   

I’m posting 2 more shots below to show you that you are never  limited to what you have. You can use creative cropping to zoom in and get an entire different look and you can also use a Digital Background to give you even more options.

This was so much fun and  I plan on getting together with her again this week! 

I’ll keep you posted and share some more photos from her next session:)

This is an example of how you can create a close-up to give your clients more options. From my experience, the close-ups always sell.

This shot below was done on the white vinyl and wasn’t edited, but I wanted to take this on white so I could create the next shot.

Ok…here is the edited version using a Digital Background. It’s actually from 2 different Digital Creation’s inside the DC Club. I might see if Scott can make this available as a Free download

Now…get out there and take some newborn portraits. It’s so much fun and people will tell everyone about the job you did for them. New parents are always so excited and telling everyone they know. Why shouldn’t it be  you?

As always…leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

In this video I’ll show you how I create more than one portrait from the same shot. It’s super simple to do and it only takes a few minutes to complete.

Watch the video below to see me in action perform these simple tricks.

Here’s the link to check out the Digital Creation’s CLUB!

I wanted to share a very simple way to create more than one look from the same image. I recently created these two shots for our Digital Creation’s club. and wanted to share these on the blog.

Here’s the original portrait (Golden Mountain View) in a horizontal shot.

Then I decided to create a close up of the two girls that would give the portrait  a completely different look. I wanted to go with a vertical layout and still keep some of the foreground elements in the final crop.

Here’s the simple steps I used to crop this image and keep the detail and quality to enlarge into an 8×10 and all the way up to a 20×24 inch portrait.

Step #1: Make sure you set you size and resolution before you crop the image.

Step# 2: Select your area by clicking and dragging with the crop tool

Step# 3: Use the “Thirds Grid” to give your crop the best site lines.

Here’s a few tips for cropping:

1. Never cut off hands or fingers
2. Never crop just below the knee
3. Cutting into the top of the head can be a nice touch

Few more examples….

Full Horizontal Original

Cropped Vertical Version

Extreme Close-Up From Same Portrait Session – Different Pose

I hope you can see that by cropping your images in a vertical or another site line…that you can create an entirely different look to offer your clients. It’s a simple technique that many photographers don’t use enough.

I hope this has inspired you and got your creative juices flowing

Club Members Login HERE!

Ok…let me explain how this picture you see right here has caused me a few problems and how I FOOLED the Pros!

Plus…I want you to see that these style portraits are very popular and you should be using these in your portrait business. Your clients will LOVE THEM!

First…I created our “Unique Trench Bowl” Digital Prop and Background set for our Digital Creation’s Club. Then I listed it on Ebay to be sold to professional photographers.

It was selling for $24.95 and people were loving it.

But…not all was good

We started to receive a few refund requests, because they thought it was  a real Wooden Trench Bowl. They said the picture looked real with the baby in the prop. They said they never used Digital Backgrounds or Props before. Some said they wanted to learn more…but some didn’t.

Every time I list something on Ebay or Amazon I’m very careful to be as detailed as possible, so people know what they are getting. You never want refunds on Ebay…especially because it hurts your feedback rating. We don’t want that!

2 Important Lessons HERE!

• 1. Wooden Trench Bowls are very popular right now and you should get one and add this to your prop collection.
• 2. Digital Props and Backgrounds can look real if done correctly and can be added much easier and far less expensive.

Here’s a few Wooden Trench Bowls I found on Ebay to show you that they are available. But…they can be expensive. With that being said…they will pay for themselves over and over again…as anything you invest in for your business. As long as you use it!

I wanted to share this with you, because it proves that people want this stuff and that Digital props can look REAL! Look I Fooled The PROS

I’m probably going to remove our listing on Ebay for a little while and try to create a better description. But…if you want access to our “Unique Wooden Trench bowl” Digital Creation set…I have a special offer for you.

You can download this set for just $19.95.

Click Here to download

or

You can join our Digital Creation’s club and receive this same set for 50% off regular price and over 100 others to choose from. Plus…all the other benefits of becoming a member.

Join the club HERE!

So…I hope I’ve opened your eyes to this huge opportunity…if you’re not already using Digital Props and Backgrounds.  There’s so many options once you learn the process and it will become very exciting for you and your photography.

Talk to ya soon!

Scott

I received an email the other day that I wanted to share with you from one of our Digital Creation’s Club Members. She is starting to have portrait parties and needed some advice.

So…I thought I’d share it with you, because most people…including myself have fallen into this trap.

Here’s the email she wrote and the advice I gave her.

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Hi Scott, my name is Bec,

I have bought and am using many of your backgrounds and am about to begin a party plan business using them. I will purchase many more from you in the future for this business.

Scott, I need some very quick advice please. I am currently charging $60 for a creation fee and in that the customer was getting 6 photos onto 6 different backgrounds of there choice + 6 small photos.

The problem I had with my first party was that everyone took the 6 free photos with the intention to scan them, so therefor I had not even 1 sale, an in fact was in debt from that party.

Do you have any suggestions please?

Bec
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Hi Bec,

First let me say…congrats on Taking Action! That’s the very first step and most people don’t even get that far.

Now…I would suggest tweaking and testing different ways to present your portraits. You could have a follow up party or meet with each person again to show them their portraits. Then you could sell additional items and possibly set up a future private session.

***It’s Not Always About Making The Sale!***

The other thing you need to keep in mind is that the portrait party is not all about making the sale. Yes…you can make some money, but it’s all about getting your name out there and setting up appointments for your full sessions.

You should be collecting their email, mailing address and phone numbers. That’s The TRUE Gold Here!

Then you can follow up with them to let them know of your upcoming Specials, Facebook updates, Blog updates….and Build The Relationship!

***Building Relationships….Is HUGE***

I can’t stress this enough. Building a relationship is HUGE for long business success. These people will become fans and promote you and your business for YEARS!

I know you said this may have cost you money…but it’s a much better way to spend money on advertising than just throwing an Ad in the newspaper. You actually met with people who are in your targeted market. You should have received their contact information for future follow ups.

So…if it cost you $25 to create these images, I would say that’s money well spent. Yes…you spent your time, but that’s business. If you want to be successful, you need to put in the work and the time.

I hope this helps to show how it’s not always about getting the sale. It goes much deeper and the price on a potential client and their contact information….is HUGE!

Keep your chin up and focus on creating beautiful images that Make People Happy and you’ll do FINE!

It’s all part of the journey. But…if you have a passion for photography and love making people happy by creating portraits, you have to keep pushing. The only one that can get in the way of your success…is you.

Here’s to your success!

Scott

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I hope you can see there’s that there’s so much more than just the initial sale and just because you didn’t get the sale today…you may receive one tomorrow.

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Resources:

Create Unique portraits month after month – Digital Creation’s Club

NPB Pro The Inner Circle – Photography Business Community

This video is a Must See! It’s only 9 minutes and 20 secs long…but filled with golden nuggets of GREAT TIPS!

This video will show you how one of our NPB Pro students creates AMAZING portraits with a super simple set up. Try to say that 3 times fast

Honestly…you’ll be surprised how simple it is and you’ll be able to start creating these Amazing Portraits Too!

Click Play to watch the short video

After you watch the video…leave a comment below!

…and click the “LIKE” button and share the LOVE

I wanted to post a short Constructive Criticism Session that we did for our NPB Pro Inner Circle Group.  I wanted to post this because it discusses some very important elements you need to use when creating your images.

We discuss Posing, Composition, Cropping and Framing the shot…so it can BE GREAT!

Enjoy the lesson and get out there and use this stuff

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Share some LOVE and click the “LIKE” button below!

I wanted to share some good discussion in the new NPB Pro Inner Circle forum and is a HUGE eye opener for many new photographers. You have to read the 10 things that Larry suggests. It’s Brilliant!

Here’s the thread from the Inner Circle:

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So…I hope by sharing this that it can help you as well. I would print this out like Fancy said and refer back to this from time to time and remind yourself what it takes to be a good photographer.

If you would like to learn more about our NPB Pro Inner Circle…Click Here!

Remember to share this with others by clicking the “Like” button

This is a follow up post to the video I did the other day titled “How To Deal With Negative Feedback From Clients”.

First let me say, thanks for all the comments and feedback everyone posted. It just goes to show that we all experience negative feedback…usually one time or another, but we need to learn how to channel it.

Today’s video I wanted to talk about Deadlines and the power of using them in your business. I wanted to share a Deadline that has me running to the store TODAY with my son. If I don’t…Guess What’s Going To Happen? I’ll tell you in the video

Bottom Line: They got me…but you know what? I need that kick in the butt sometimes to get me moving. Sometimes you have to give your clients a kick in the butt too!

Press Play To Watch

Leave a comment and let me hear your thoughts!

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If you’ve ever received an email, phone call, letter or any negative comment from a client or potential client…You’re Not Alone!

The thing is, you can receive 100 great responses or feedback from people, but the 1 negative message seems to take control over your thoughts a lot more than the positive ones. Trust me…I know this from experience and it has happened to me too!

Actually…that’s what motivated me to create this video and blog post.

I received an email the other day that almost made me fall into this Mental Trap. But, I knew what I had to do…to make sure I didn’t loose site of all of the good things I am doing and positive comments I’ve received. I’ll explain more details in the video and it will make more sense.

If you struggle with confidence in yourself or your business, than you need to watch this and remember to focus on the good.

Press play to watch the video below and I’ll explain everything

Oh…I almost forgot to mention…I shot this on the Nikon D90 and I’m still working out the kinks.

As always…leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

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