10 Top Tips for Photographing a Newborn Baby

The vulnerability, innocence and just plain gorgeousness of a newborn baby make it the perfect subject to photograph.

Babies grow all too quickly, and before you know it, they have moved out of that precious newborn stage and are fast approaching toddlerhood. It’s so important to capture that beautiful early stage and preserve it forever.

But photographing a newborn, perfect though they are, is not easy. Babies are unpredictable, unable to take direction and prone to doing everything BUT what you want them to do – that is, until the camera is switched off and put away.

Here are some tips on getting the most out of a photography session with your newborn.

1.    Get creative!

Some of the most memorable baby portraits make use of unusual props like bowls, decorative plates and plant pots. Look around your home, and try placing your baby on or in something other than the cot or crib, like a woven basket. The result is charmingly different, contrasting the purity and innocence of the baby with an everyday object.

2.    Be smart about schedules.

You know your baby better than anyone, so it should be easier for you to gauge when would be the best time to start shooting. Try to find a time when he or she is fed and rested – a sleepy or hungry baby will fuss, making it impossible to get a single good picture.

3.    Take advantage of naptimes.

Having said that, it’s a good idea to photograph your newborn while he or she sleeps, too. In the first few weeks of life, babies tend to sleep through most of the day, so you’ll have the opportunity to capture that most angelic of sights, the sleeping babe. Keep the heating high and warm up the spot you’ll be putting your baby on with a hot water bottle first. Then gently position the baby, and click away!

4.   

      Show some skin.

      There is nothing so cute and so utterly precious as a tiny naked baby. Your baby’s skin will never be so soft and perfect again, so why not show it off a little? You can always use an artfully placed blanket to cover up privates.

5.    Dress them up.

If you prefer to photograph your baby fully clothed, there are even more options to explore. This is where the fun comes in. Baby accessories are so adorable they can be used to add to the cute-quotient of any portrait, so aside from the usual baby outfits, experiment with hats, booties, even fairy wings and tutus for baby girls.

6.    Find the right angle.

A baby’s perspective is so different from our own, it’s important to experiment with angles so that you don’t fall into the rut of taking every photo from a height advantage, looking down.

Try getting right down on the floor with your baby, and take close-ups – you’ll end up with far more compelling images than if you had simply hovered over your baby and clicked away.

7.    Create interest and texture.

Use props to add another dimension to the pictures. Favourite toys work well with older babies, while newborns feel comfortable on a familiar blanket. This is also a great way to add texture to the photographs – the soft weave of a blanket, the grizzly fur of a teddy, or the long fuzz of a fluffy rug can all make a gorgeous backdrop for your baby.

8.    Light it right.

Natural lighting that is clear and subtle is best for newborn photographs. Before you start, assess which room gets the best light at which time of day, and take advantage of that. Your pictures will look softer and more natural than if you photographed your baby in artificial light.

9.    Be patient.

It’s not easy getting the perfect shot of your baby, no matter how perfect he may be himself. Babies make funny expressions, turn their heads at the last moment, refuse to look in a certain direction. Be patient, and take lots and lots of pictures to ensure you get some you love.

10. Convert pictures to black and white.

Tiny babies sometimes have blemishes on their skin or blotchy patches. Converting some of your photographs into black and white is easy, and helps disguise these small imperfections. The monochromatic effect also emphasizes the cute and cuddly factor of the pictures.

With these points in mind you should find it easy to create natural, beautiful portraits of your newborn baby.


For more information:
Contact: Laura Barker
Mobile: 07734 603 411
Email: laura@laurabarkerphotography.com
Website: www.laurabarkerphotography.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/laurabarker411
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