Best Camera Settings Newborn Photography
Nothing quite makes a person wish for the ability to freeze time like holding a newborn baby. But while pausing the space-time continuum isnt possible, freezing that moment is you just need a camera.
But what are the best camera settings for newborn photography? How do you keep the photo sharp, but the background blurred?
The best baby photography settings blur out the distractions. They freeze any movement for sharp memories of those first few months of a childs life.
Heres what you need to know to freeze time and capture great newborn photos.
Mix It Up With Both Posed And Candid Shots
When we think of newborn photography, we generally think of classic portraits of a baby sleeping in a bassinet or curled up on a blanket. These formal, solo set-ups are great, especially with dozing babies under the age of 14 days, who naturally curl up into those adorable poses. At the same time, newborn photography can also veer into the realm of documentary/lifestyle work, especially if its an at-home session.
In addition to staged shots, remember to grab some spontaneous moments as well, especially when the baby is interacting with the parents. You may also want to get any siblings in the shots too. If theyre young, try to photograph them at the beginning of the shoot, so they dont get restless or bored. If shooting in the clients home, remember to include scenes from the brand-new nursery the parents have worked hard on it and will want to have those photos years down the road.
Make Safety A Priority
Attend a workshop or training session with an experienced newborn photographer, or take a course to get certified on the ins and outs of safety for newborn photoshoots. For example, you will want to leave the flash at home, and rely instead on soft, indirect window light to protect the infants eyes.
Babies have positions they like and ones they dont, which varies based on the child, so pay attention to body language and follow the newborns lead. Keep in mind that many of the popular poses you see in newborn photography are composites done in Photoshop including the froggy, where the head is resting on the hands.
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Starting A Newborn Photography Business
Starting your own business is a huge undertaking, and it will be challenging. You will need to build it from the ground up, starting with investing money.
The fate of your business rest in your hands, and it will only continue if you price well. You need to know how much to charge your clients.
Dont become discouraged by the competition or that you may not make a profit for the first two years. It can be a difficult market, and you need time to get the word out.
Read the article here on how to start your newborn portraiture business today!
Include Your Older Children
Some of the sweetest and most endearing photos you can take of your new baby will be the ones you get with his or her older siblings. I set out a task for myself to get an image of Gabriel with each of his nine older brothers and sisters. I still have two to go, but I am getting there!
Older children may be able to hold their new brother or sister, while simple laying down poses are perfect for younger children. This will make your older children feel special and involved as well, which is always a bonus when there is a new baby in the house getting a lot of attention!
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Dont Forget The Macro Lens
In addition to environmental portraits, capture the details: delicate eyelashes, gripping fingers, wrinkly skin, and wiggling toes.
Babies tend to be calmer in the morning, so if you schedule an early shoot, youll have a better chance of being able to zoom in and catch those macro shots while theyre asleep and relaxed.
Discuss Wardrobe & Color Palette
If youre planning on a professional shoot, its important to think about the entire wardrobe and color palette before the day, so that you co-ordinate and nothing is overwhelming. Although neutral creamy colors are a great option, to begin with, sometimes adding your babys room colors via toys, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, other props, or simple colored clothing items, such as onesies, hats, headbands, or baby socks, goes a long way to create your unique photoshoot.
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How To Use Costumes Props And Gear With Newborns
When gathering equipment for newborn photoshoots, start with the basics. Every newborn photographer should have wraps, says Vega. Skin-toned and neutral-colored wraps are good options to have on hand as they give you options that go well with whatever the parents choose to wear. Once you have a good collection of wraps and other basics like headbands, branch out. Many professional newborn photographers keep tiny costumes on hand to dress up their subjects as bunnies or teddy bears.
Regardless of how you dress the newborn, make sure you have something comfortable for the baby to rest on during the shoot like a bean bag, pillow, or cushion.
Often parents want shoots to be more individualized than simply showing their baby in a wrap. Parents may want the shoot to reflect their jobs, hobbies, or something about them. Having an array of props for that can be useful. I have a lot of parents who want to do things related to their career. Ive had doctors who put their baby in a little doctor outfit, says Vega. Thats why I carry a large range of things. Communicate with clients so they can bring their own props if there’s something specific theyd like to be shown or posed with the baby.
How Do You Take Professional Newborn Pictures At Home
Purchase the best newborn photography accessories and outfits that will make your newborn look adorable and the photos look magical!
A small piece can make the photo look completely different and proffectional.
Here you have a collection of the most awesome items and ideas that you can purchase online and take perfect DIY newborn photo-shoots at home:
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Make Sure The Space Isnt Cold
Once you have checked that the baby isnt hungry, you need to make sure that the space is warm enough for the newborns comfort. It will be very hard to get great newborn photography poses if an air conditioner is turned full on. Even with the hot weather outdoors, the inside temperature should be optimal. When the newborn is cold, he/she wont give you peace. Adjust the temperature in such a way that both you and the baby feel comfortable.
- Check out this Heater for controlling temperature in the room.
Less Is More Turn Off Artificial Lights
I love to deliver images with a crisp, clean, bright and airy look. Its really quite simple to mimic this technique on your own. The golden rule here is to use only natural light and turn off every switch and lamp in whatever room youre using.
All you need is one window with sunlight streaming in! Sometimes thats all I have to work with in some client homes. Ive shot in tiny nooks and crannies because thats where the best light is. Other times I luck out with huge rooms full of windows. Either way, you can get gorgeous shots!
There are additional tips about using natural light here if you want to learn more!
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Turn Off Overhead Lights And Your Cameras Flash
and use window light.
Honestly, its just much prettier.
Overhead indoor lights give weird color casts and shadows, and generally not advisable for pictures. A cameras built-in flash will create an unattractive deer-in-the-headlights look. Using window light will necessitate that your photoshoot takes place in the daytime, when window light is available. Youll want to find a time when your baby is usually sleeping anyway during daylight hours. Its worth it.
The tricky part of window light is that it changes from day to day and room to room and hour to hour . It will take a little trial and error to figure out the best location, and thats okay! Just take your camera and a basic object and walk it around the house, taking pictures of it in different places. Then compare your shots to determine what works best.
If you have a slider door, thats often a good place to start. Find a time with the light isnt so bright that its streaming in, and thus creating really harsh shadows, but when that room isnt in shadow, either. Then take that teddy bear and take different pictures of him in different spots around the room. Try some close to the window, some farther away, etc. If you dont find a spot that you like, try another room.
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Set Up A Tripod To Get Into Your Own Shots
How to photograph newborns and be together with them in the shot if there is no one to snap a picture? The answer is simple just set up a tripod and mount your camera or a smartphone on it. Also, dont forget to turn on the cameras self-timer. When you are ready, gather everyone for the shot and set the timer. Prior to posing babies, check that all the necessary things are in place so that the kids arent motionless while you are finding appropriate angles.
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Newborn Photo Editing Tips
The best way to edit images into stunning captures is to make sure you get as close as you can with the photograph. You cant fix an angle problem in Lightroom.
Try to capture a well-framed scene in-camera. This will give you great photographs and will cut down your editing time.
Newborns are soft and cuddly, so the images should reflect this tone and mood.
To generate smooth, creamy skin tones, use the contrast and clarity sliders. You can find these in Adobe Lightroom.
Reducing the contrast creates this dreamy feeling and soft appearance.
Read here on all the editing tips you need for newborn portraiture.
How Long Is The Newborn Stage
Babies are generally considered newborns up until they are about 2 months old. However, most photographers recommend that the best time to take newborn photos is within the first two weeks after birth.
This is because during this time babies are generally less active when they sleep meaning you wont have to do as much rearranging of the shot. Although, if you are keen to capture photos of baby with their eyes open you are probably going to have an easier time waiting a little longer.
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What Is Newborn Photography
Newborn photography is a genre that focuses on capturing newborn babies. It is the only area of photography where the photographer needs to have the well being of the subject as the main priority. Safety is key.
The great thing is, you will have parents who can act as your assistants, holding and posing the baby. They can also make them laugh, and put them back to sleep.
This doesnt mean you shouldnt invest in a few pieces of equipment to help this process.
Read our full guide to newborn photography tips and advice for creating the best work. And keeping mummy and daddy happy.
Dont Complicate The Poses
Professional shooters have years of experience mastering poses for babies. Dont expect to take gorgeous shots from the first try. Nevertheless, you may take incredible pictures no matter what. I suggest picking basic poses which look really realistic. For instance, try shooting your baby while he/she is sleeping with the arms raised over the head.
- View more safety newborn photography poses.
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Use Angles And Lights Properly
A great place to start photographing the newborn will be near the sun. Knowing its current position and estimating its future work will guide you to the correct position. Additionally, ensure the room you photograph is relatively neutral, and it bounces light towards the subject. You can even use a reflector for this purpose.
Prioritize The Babys Comfort
A warm baby, with a full belly, will be happy to relax and doze off during a photoshoot, which is exactly what you want if the baby is just a few days old after about 10 days, theyll start moving around more. If youd like to photograph the baby asleep, ask the parents about their nap schedule before the shoot, and organize accordingly. Before you start, see to it that your little model is snug, cozy, and fed.
Consider bringing a white noise machine for a soothing atmosphere. Alternatively, you can also download an app like Cradle for additional music and sounds. Some posing is fine, as long as the baby is content and fully supported throughout the process. For comfy poses and easy handling, consider staging the baby on a beanbag.
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Ensure The Baby Is Comfy And Sleepy
Make sure the baby is sleepy and comfortable. When I photograph newborn families at home, I set a nice and calm mood. My main goal is to ensure the newborn is comfy by recreating what it felt like in their moms tummy. You can do this by keeping the room warm , using a white noise app , and, most importantly, keeping them in a tight swaddled. I usually start my photo sessions with a wrapped baby and once I have lots of beautiful photos, I test the waters and I start slllowwwwlllyyyy unwrapping them. Using a pacifier can be a game-changer as well even if you use it just for your photo session.
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Preparing For Your Diy Newborn Photos
Remember, nothing needs to be perfect! But here are a few tips to help you prep for your newborn photo session.
1. Declutter: Its a good idea to quickly tidy up the room youll be using for your at-home newborn photos. No need for a deep clean, just do a quick check for stray phone cables, empty water glasses and used burp clothes.
2. Get baby ready: Consider doing your photo session just after a feeding, when your newborn is likely to be relaxed. A warm room, some white noise and a clean diaper might also help. More on what to wear below.
3. Get everyone else ready: Its easiest if everyone is ready to be photographed before you begin the session. If you have other children, have them get dressed and then give them a quiet activity or movie until youre ready to bring them into the picture.
4. Prep your gear: Make sure your batteries are fully charged, lenses are clean and that theres space on your memory card.
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Let The Photographer To Connect With Your Child
Once youve decided when to take newborn pictures, its important to let the photographer connect with your child. This is especially important if youre using a professional studio.
The photographer will need to be able to get close to your baby in order to take good photos. So if youre uncomfortable with them being too close, its best to find someone else to take the pictures.
its important to trust the photographer and give them some time to work their magic
Try not to interfere too much and just let them do their job. Youll be glad you did once you see the final results!
Be Careful With Overheating
Although warmth can help calm and sleep a baby, excessive overheating can be dangerous. If it is too hot in a room, your baby may have trouble breathing: it may be very fast and uneven. You can also observe too fast heart beating with a broken rhythm. If you notice changes in breathing or that skin is too hot, stop taking pictures immediately. You must turn off the heater and give the baby wrapped in a light blanket to the mother.
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Newborn Poses: How To Minimise Fuss And Maximise Cuteness
Posing newborns can be a little daunting on your first try. They are all floppy and cant hold themselves well, if at all.
Move slowly, be confident and never put the baby in danger. Use the parents to hold the baby in different poses. Then Photoshop them out during the editing stage.
The back pose is one of the most common and the easiest to start with. Lay them on their back on soft material. Place their hands on their tummies.
While they are there, grab some detail shots of their hands and feet. For the other two poses, read the article here.
How Do I Keep My Baby Safe During Photo Sessions
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