Newborn Session Tips • Calgary Newborn Photographer
If you've just had a baby and are stuck in that awkward rut we are currently in and unable to hire a newborn photographer, that doesn't mean you can't have nice photos!
(And while I'm on the topic: any professional newborn photographer running a legal and reputable business is not booking or taking newborn sessions right now amidst a worldwide pandemic. Not only is it irresponsible, but it's also dangerous. Period. I'm not being a jerk, I'm just putting your best interest first in regards to health and safety in your family, in our community, and so on.) I say this with love. ;) #NoHate
Here are some Newborn Session Tips for your very own newborn photos done at home!
1. Warmth and White Noise
There is a reason that newborn photographers say, "Newborn photography is my hot yoga."
Babies get cold easily. They're used to being wrapped up, folded up, and nice and snuggly warm.
You can keep your baby comfortable by:
- wrapping them for some wrapped photos
- turning up the temperature in your home or running a space heater (I usually keep a room anywhere between 23-25 degrees celsius during a newborn session)
- keeping baby covered by a blanket until you're ready to take the shot
How To Wrap A Newborn For A Photoshoot
White noise helps soothe your baby and bring them into a deep sleep.
I personally love 'shushing' sounds. Well, I actually find them terrible annoying but they work wonders for newborns. I find it more effective than a constant white noise. I think it's maybe because babies are used to hearing the rhythm of a heartbeat and not so much a constant SSSSHHHHHHH sound.
I use this YouTube video, and it is my miracle worker. Just pull it up on your phone, adjust the volume, and let it play. (And when you've had enough, turn it off. Hahaha.)
Magic Baby Shushing Noise Video
2. Feed!
A happy baby is a fed baby. If your baby is hungry, you're going to have a heck of a time trying to get them to settle down. You can tell when your baby has had enough to eat by paying attention to their body cues.
One rule of thumb is to pay attention to their hands. If your baby's hands are in a fist, they are likely still hungry and could use another feed. If their hands are relaxed and open, your baby is satisfied and sleepy. Hooray!
3. Support
Babies startle easily. Even something as simple as removing your hand from their legs or back can make them jolt awake. Be slow and mindful of your movements. Newborn photography is a marathon, not a sprint.
Place your hand firmly on your baby as they settle into the pose you are trying to accomplish. Pay attention to their breathing and feel their muscles relax under your hands. You can hold them firmly; they love feeling that security and you'll find they'll settle more quickly with a bit of pressure on them (not too much, but just enough to hold them in place).
Once your baby is sleeping soundly with rhythmic breathing patterns, you can slowly remove your hands and set yourself up for the shot!
Try not to get frustrated if your baby moves - it happens! Just take a deep breath, and try again. :)
4. The Unsoothing Method
Sometimes babies are just awake. If you are doing these photos at home, you don't need to feel like you have to get these photos done all in one go! But one method that I often used to tucker out an awake baby is called "the unsoothing method".
'Unsoothing' means we let them look around, kick, coo and tucker themselves out all on their own. Getting some awake shots is fun, too! I love capturing yawns, sneezes, crossed-eyes and funny little expressions. And you'll likely end up loving them, too!
Before you know it, you'll have a tired little baby on your hands and the rest of your at-home newborn session should go super smoothly!
5. Lighting
Photography is more about light than anything else. Pay attention to how the light falls across (or down) your baby.
Always point your baby's head TOWARDS the light (don't have your baby's bum the closest thing to your light source).
Find an area in your home with great light - usually by a big window. You don't have to eliminate all of the shadows from your baby's sweet face (after all, shadows is what brings depth and shape to your baby's portrait) but you want to make sure that you can capture sharp, clean details of your baby's features at the same time.
6. Angles
Angles can make or break a photo.
When you position yourself and your baby for a photo, make sure you don't shoot "up" your baby's nose.
I usually "float" around during a session to find that perfect angle. What I watch for is how much of the baby's face I can still see with as little nostril-holes showing as possible. You just want to see the very beginning of where their nostrils start. That's when you know you're shooting DOWN their face, and not "up" their nose.
Also, always have your baby's head the closest to your camera. The closest part of your photo will put the most emphasis and size of that body part. So unless you love having a bootylicious baby with a giant bum and tiny head, try to lean more toward capturing the cheeks on their face and not on the other end. ;)
7. Props
Less is more, my friend. Less is more. <3
Find a beautiful textured blanket. A stretchy piece of material for a wrap. A dainty little headband or knitted hat - whatever you have available!
8. KEEP IT SAFE!!!
Keep it SAFE! NEVER place your baby on a raised surface without a spotter (which means a hand ON baby!) Don't go beyond what you're comfortable with; lots of the really extravagant types of newborn portraits are done by professionals with YEARS of experience and are usually trick to the eye or edited in photoshop. If you're doing these at home, keep it simple. They'll still be gorgeous and beautiful! And I personally LOVE the timelessness of a simple, minimalistic approach to a newborn portrait. *swoon*
If you are unsure on a particular pose that you are thinking of attempting, do your research first. It's never worth risking a newborn's safety for the sake of a photo.
(Froggy Pose, shown above, is an advanced pose that I would NOT recommend trying to accomplish at home. These images are composed of 2 or more images and require lots of professional experience to ensure the safety of the baby.)
9. The Camera
I'm sure most of you have some sort of entry-level DSLR or camera at home that will work great for taking a couple of photos of your newborn. Even phones have come a long way.
I am NOT saying they compare to professional equipment (they don't!) but sometimes you just have to go with what you've got. The best camera you have is the one you have on you. ;)
10. Be Patient!
"You have the patience of a Saint."
If I got a nickel for every time I heard that...
But seriously. Newborn photography requires PATIENCE. A healthy helping of it. Sometimes a baby has absolutely no interest in cooperating. That's fine. Put it away and try again another day. Some days are better than others for babies. But don't get too frustrated at your baby. They're just little humans beings. They don't understand the concept. All they know is: I'm laying here. I'm naked. And I don't like it.
Sometimes they have colic / gas / an upset stomach.
Sometimes they're cold.
Sometimes it's just an off day.
Cut yourself some slack, be forgiving with your baby (and with yourself), and have FUN with it.
Babies can sense when you're tense. So just zone out, shush away and pat their bums, and give it a good go. And if it's not happening today, try again tomorrow.
Shooting newborn sessions requires passion, patience, and experience. It's not to say you can't learn how to do it, but if you would rather hire a professional to do it, be sure to visit my website. I'll do all that sweaty work for you while you sit back and relax! I've developed the skills and workflow to have your session done in a few hours, and you'll have STUNNING photos to boast proudly about to all your friends and family. :)
I am currently booking late Fall due dates (I am unfortunately unable to shoot newborn sessions at this time due to the Coronavirus - BUT I do have a special offer for those looking to capture those sweet, early moments later on when allowed!)
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