Newborn Baby Photography
SharpShots of Fort Collins - Photography Article
Photographing newborns is an art of not only photography but of keeping the baby as comfortable as possible during the shoot. In my belief, the skin of the baby is the most beautiful part of him or her, so completely naked photographs are the most artistic. Newborns sleep a lot and do not open their eyes much or focus well. These sleeping photographs are touching and one can concentrate on things like eyelashes, fingers and toes. Newborns often do not like to be undressed for photo sessions, though, and often the best portraits at this time are over the shoulder of mother of a newborn nursing or close-ups of faces and other body parts. In this case, make sure baby's and mother's clothing is not bright or patterned, since the focus will not be the outfit but the features themselves.
The best age to photograph babies where they still look like newborns, but are more alert, and with eyes open for photographs, is at about one month of age. Usually they like to be naked more and, if kept in a warm room, will be completely content to lie on their backs and tummies and be taken photos of. Babies can make more eye contact at this age, as well, and you will get better shots of a baby's big eyes at this age, instead of unfocused or squinty glances.
Photos near a natural light source, like a window, are best, and often a flash does not need to be used in these conditions. With the right camera settings, this achieves a much more natural look. Find a place where the shot will not be directly back-lit by the window (on a sofa or cushion or the floor below a window is good.)
Photos of the baby's skin against the mother's skin are beautiful, as well, this can easily be accomplished with a low-cut shirt for the mother or with a robe. Faces of fathers and mothers, and even grandparents against a newborn's skin or face are quite a contrast and can be quite tender. Often, mothers wear a lot of make-up to photo shoots and this can look very false next to a newborn's pure, natural, skin. My suggestion for a portrait sitting involving both mother, (or grandmother) and baby is for the mother to wear as little make up as possible, except on her eyes. Any blemishes or discoloration can easily be removed by a good photo "retoucher", and the mother's skin can be retouched to look almost as soft as the baby's if there is not make-up in the way. These types of portraits are especially artistic and moving when converted to black and white.
When scheduling photo shoots, have them in your own home and pick a time that is good for your family. Make sure the baby is clean, well fed, and happy and don't be afraid to let him or her sleep, or feed him or her for a few minutes during the session. If you book an hour, and the baby is unhappy, a good photographer will be happy to be patient and maybe take some tender shots of you nursing, or bottle feeding, or of parents and siblings, or other family members looking down at the baby sleeping, while his or her mood improves.
Quick Tips for taking photos of your baby, and scheduling a newborn photo shoot:
1. Schedule the shoot in your home at a time that is usually good for your family.
2. Keep the room quite warm.
3. Have the shoot in a room near a natural source of light.
4. Schedule the photo shoot for around the baby's first month birthday so he or she is more likely to be alert and comfortable showing a lot of skin.
5. Be flexible, and also allow the photographer to be flexible.
6. Look natural and wear soft, neutral-colored clothing.
