When Should Newborn Photos Be Taken

Famous Baby Photographers You Must Check Out

Tips for Taking Care of 6-Month-Old Baby

No matter the genre you are specializing in, we all need photography inspiration from time to time. Photography is about lifelong learning. And who are the best teachers? Other photographers, of course.

Never stop looking at other artists work. You can learn new techniques or find inspiration in their photos.

We collected 10 famous baby photographers who are great sources of creative ideas. And their newborn photos are heart-melting.

Printing Baby Photos For Us Passport

Congrats, youre at the last step of the process printing the baby passport photo that youve just successfully taken! With our photo tool you can easily get digital images of your baby sent straight to your email that you can later print at any drugstore or photo printing center, or order ready printouts to be shipped to your home.

If you decide to print the photo yourself, youll need to make sure that theyre printed on high quality photo paper. Prepare a 4×6 inch photo template with Passport Photo Online and print your pictures at any photo department, store, or studio for the price of a simple photocard .

Theres another option, if you dont want to leave the house and want to enjoy a professional service, try our full service that includes a digital file and a printout conveniently sent to your preferred address.

Any Special Items Or Outfits You Want To Include

While we offer everything you need to make your babys photo session a success, you may still have a few special items that you want to include in your newborn photos: a special hat or blanket, furs to wrap up your babys fingers and toes, or even babys coming-home outfit. Some new parents want photos of their babies using Mom or Dads military uniform, or they want to include heirloom outfits that were used in their own baby pictures.

Were glad to include any items that you would like to see used in your babys photos. However, you must discuss those items with us ahead of your session. While including an outfit change in your newborns photo session is easy enough, its much harder to incorporate some heirlooms or props safely.

Many of the stunning newborn shots you see in professional photography studios include a lot of composite images. For example, our clients are often surprised to discover that, for our hanging basket photos, we dont actually place the baby in a hanging basket! Instead, the baby is kept safe and protected throughout the entire shoot, often held by one of our team members or posed carefully to create the ideal effect.

One of our most requested photographs is the baby in the dream catcher floating over the water. The truth is that most of the stunning images come together during the post-production editing.

Read Also: How Much Should A Newborn Cry

Book Your Newborn Photo Shoot

To book your newborn photo shoot with me, or for more info on the best age for a newborn photo shoot, get in touch here:

Contact London Family Photographer.

Im based in the South East and shoots are available in London, Kent and UK-wide. I also travel internationally a fair bit and like to photograph families as I go! Get in touch to check my availability. My shoot fees are inclusive of UK travel.

Request a full Price List here London Newborn Photo Shoot Prices.

Maternity Photography Is Getting More Popular

Why shouldn

When Demi Moore showed off her nude belly in 1991 on the Vanity Fair cover there was some rumour about it, but after that always more celebrities and women wanted to be portrayed during this special time. If you are reading this you are probably pregnant and interested in having a nice maternity portrait session. However, I know a lot of you are still a bit reluctant and unsure about this type of photography. I have been there too so I know how you feel, I know your body is going through a lot of changes and you might not feel great but I want you to consider a few things that can help you to make up your mind At least I hope so!

Also Check: How To Soothe A Gassy Newborn

Should Mothers/fathers Be In Newborn Photos

Unequivocally yes mom, dad, and siblings should get in the photo.

We know you might not feel your best. Heck, you might not even be cleared to drive yet. But you will never regret having those memories. And you cant get them back. Dont regret it. Get in the picture.

Again, this is why you go to a newborn photography expert. They know all the perfect angles and posing to make sure you look amazing, even if you are not feeling the best. These images really highlight your connection with your partner and your newborn!

Getting Set Up For Infant Photography

The camera settings for any image are largely dependent on the available light in the scene. For that reason, you should, ideally, set-up for infant photography near a large window.

Place the baby so that the window light falls on their face in a natural way. The light from the sun doesnt come from the ground, for example, so never place the babys toes towards the window.

You might be photographing unposed images, such as newborn photos in the hospital. If so, open any window blinds during the day, or at night, turn on all the available lights in the room.

That extra light will help you get the most flexibility with your camera settings.

Once the room is prepared, start with the camera settings that will remain unchanged for the entire shoot. The first setting to consider is file type JPEG, or RAW? If you plan on editing those photos, RAW is the best option. A RAW photo is much more flexible inside a good photo editor than a JPEG.

The only problem is that RAW photos must be edited first with a compatible program. JPEGs are ready to print and share straight from the camera.

If you dont plan on editing, use a JPEG.

The white balance setting will also remain the same as long as the light remains the same. But the white balance may change if you are photographing outside and the sun goes behind the clouds, for example.

The settings are named after the light they are best for, like cloudy, or fluorescent.

You May Like: Is It Ok For Newborns To Cry

Best Camera Settings For Newborn Photography

You can also select your interests for free access to our premium training:

Related course:

Newborn and infant photography pauses the rapid growth in the first few months of a childs life in pixels.

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.

Posed Vs Lifestyle: Know Your Clients Expectations

#SHORTS Should I take a Baby Aspirin to Prevent a Heart Attack?

There are two types of this photography posed/studio & lifestyle. I love both for different reasons. However, as a newborn photographer, it is important that your client knows what this photography type you intend to do so there are no surprises during or after the session.

Newborn Photography Posed/studio sessions Typically must be done within the first 2 weeks of birth when the baby is very sleepy and mold-able. The focus in this type of photography session is on shots of the baby looking perfect, usually in blankets, wraps, hats, & headbands. The photography session can last up to 4 hours with feeding, potty breaks, and baby posing.

Editing this type of photography session also takes quite a bit of time as each baby image needs to go through Photoshop individually to get a polished end result.

Newborn Photography Lifestyle newborn sessions Are a bit more casual approach to this type photography. There may be some baby posing but the intention is to capture more natural images of the baby and their home. These photography sessions can be done up to 6 weeks old and usually last 1-2 hours max.

My favorite thing about lifestyle newborn photography is capturing the wonder and amazement between the family members. Newborns are incredible but so is the love in the air. Memories of this time-frame often become fuzzy for new babys parents and that is precisely why I feel these types of baby shoots are so important.

You May Like: How Frequently To Bathe Newborn

What Is The Best Time To Take Newborn Pictures

Babies go through a lot of changes in the first days and weeks of their lives after all, growing and changing is their full-time job! Because of this, photographing your baby can be a very different experience when your baby is seven days old compared to seventeen days old.

Each time frame in your babys early days has its pros and cons when it comes to newborn photography. Lets take a look at each of these timeframes and the advantages and disadvantages they hold.

Babies Younger Than Two Weeks

Typically, I schedule all newborn sessions between five and ten days after birth. Although I will schedule newborns at any age, I strongly encourage parents to schedule sessions when babies are at least under two weeks of age. At this age, they are more likely to curl up in womb-like poses, stay asleep longer, dont mind being unclothed, and usually have their feeding schedules set to at least every two hours.

Schedule newborn sessions when the baby is between five and ten days old to help ensure a sleepy, curly baby.

The best time to schedule sessions for newborns is a week after the mothers due date. I do leave room in my schedule to make adjustments to session dates once the baby arrives. Of course, babies will arrive on their own terms, but at least we have a guideline to go by of what the session day will be. From there we can adjust the date once the baby is born. Tell the parents you have a set date, but that they should call you the day of or the day after the birth so you can make schedule adjustments if needed. Scheduling newborns can sometimes be a juggling act, but if you stick to this general rule, the shoot date should be around the five to ten day mark the majority of the time.

A seven-day-old, newborn girl sleeps soundly as she allows me to pose her so sweetly.

ISO 400, 1/800 sec., f/1.8, 50mm lens

Don’t Miss: How To Keep Newborn Asleep At Night

Be Mindful Of Your Aperture

I know many portrait & wedding photographers love to work wide open at f/1.2 & f/1.4. However, with this type of photography, many of the babys positions can have extreme angles and you will have better luck with your depth of field and sharpness by shooting around f/2 & f/2.2.

Dont forget, it will be rare that the babys eyes are always on the same plane of focus and by closing down my aperture a bit from wide open I get that little bit extra of the depth of field that is often needed.

Tips To Prepare For Your Newborn Photo Session

Why shouldn

The minute you saw your baby, you fell head over heels in love. Those chipmunk cheeks, wrinkly hands, and their tiny little body have filled your heart with so much joy. You keep trying to memorize every detail before they get bigger their sweet smell, the way they smile when theyre sleeping, the grunts, and the feel of their hands grasping your fingers. You want to remember every minute of these special days for the rest of your life.

As a new parent, you finally understand why other parents tell you to cherish these first weeks. Your child will grow so quickly. It wont be long before they transition to a toddler, and youll be struggling to remember how soft their skin was, and how their sleepy head seemed to fit perfectly on your shoulder as you rocked them to sleep. Thats where newborn photo sessions come in handy preserving these precious, fleeting days.

Your newborns photography session should be an exciting time for your family. But parents often find themselves worried and anxious about preparing themselves and their babies for the big occasion. With a little planning, you can relax and enjoy the session, knowing all your bases are covered. Years from now, youll be glad you booked a newborn photo session so you can stroll back in time to the days when you didnt have to share your child with the rest of the world.

Follow our top five tips to make sure you and your baby have a great session that documents this special time in your lives.

Don’t Miss: How To Make A Newborn Baby Stop Crying

Whats The Best Time Of Day To Take Newborn Photos

Check with your photographer on when they recommend getting newborn photos taken. Some families choose for the photographer to come into their home and take photos in the nursery or the master bedroom.

Youll want to asses when you get good sunlight in those areas of your home and go from there.

We chose to go to our photographers studio and have the photos taken there. I wanted to use all of her props like buckets and backdrops because I think those are just the cutest! Instead of feeling like I needed to clean and stage my home, I felt it was easier for us to go to her.

Your photographer will know when the light will come into their studio the best, but I imagine early to mid-morning will work for most photos.

You can get additional tips in my newborn family photos post, including how to include older siblings in the photoshoot.

Tip 6 Get Creative Props For Your Newborn Photos

Creative props can be the difference between a professional photo and an amateur one. Newborn props dont have to be expensive and you can find most of what you need at home or a local crafts stores. Other recommended locations are Beautiful Photo Props and Etsy. For ideas, consider incorporating the parents hobbies, their culture, their favorite colors, or their overall personalities. We came up with the concept below for Ellie because her mother used to live in Paris. For more inspiration and to see how this scene was shot, please see our Newborn Photography Workshop.

You May Like: How To Get My Newborn To Take A Pacifier

Related Posts

Popular Articles