Newborn photography tips for beginners

 Newborn photography is one of the most sought after styles. But how to take professional baby photos? This is what you can see in the Family Moment Photography post

 There's nothing cooler and sweeter than having a newborn baby photoshoot woodlands. Capturing a newborn baby is one of the jobs most requested by parents, who want to immortalize that phase of the child.

 But taking a portrait of a tiny person just a few days old is challenging, to say the least. How do you take a picture of someone who doesn't understand what you're saying, let alone hold their head high?

 Newborn photography requires a different set of knowledge and props than your average portrait. Therefore, Family Moment Photography has prepared some newborn photography tips.

 Safety first

 Fortunately, if you're looking to tackle newborn photography, you already know that babies are very fragile. Newborns still cannot hold their heads up or control their movements.

 Therefore, before starting with newborn photography, it is important to know that not everything is as it seems. Many poses captured by experienced professional photographers are safely created by Photoshop.

 If you see a photo of a baby in a hammock or perched precariously on some kind of prop, chances are someone is holding the baby in place that was simply edited into the image. The popular frog pose with the baby holding her head up in her hands? This is only achieved through Photoshop with someone actually holding their head.

 Beginners should maintain postures that newborns themselves can naturally maintain. Do not attempt advanced poses without attending a class or undergoing training. The good news is that even though they can't stand up yet, newborns are quite flexible and tend to stay where you put them when they sleep.

 There are many simple poses that can be done safely with newborns – on the back, sides and belly. There are plenty of safe poses for beginners to try without dealing with the poses that require Photoshop to keep them safe.

 Keep it simple

 Newborns are so tiny and sweet that the best pictures are often the simplest ones. Choose an uncluttered background – a solid colored blanket works great. The photos are often taken with babies naked, swaddled or wearing a diaper cover or a comfortable coverall.

 First, get those basic, simple images, then try using a prop if you like. When looking for accessories, choose items that help provide a sense of scale and portray how small the baby is. For inspiration, look at parent interests, seasonal items, or simple baby toys like a teddy bear.

 Make sure the baby is comfortable.

 Newborn photos are usually taken while the baby is sleeping, as they don't spend a lot of time awake. But a sleeping baby is much easier to lay down, while the baby is awake, he can swing his arms and legs. Therefore, the comfort of the child is fundamental.

 Keep the room warm, as newborns lose heat quickly. If you're photographing a naked baby and it doesn't feel hot, the room is probably not warm enough. Ideally, the photos should be taken after the baby has also finished eating. Also check your props before you buy them - a narrow, rough or hard surface can irritate baby.

 Be careful with the lighting

 Fortunately, the lighting isn't much different from lighting an adult's portrait. Make sure the light source is coming towards the baby's head, not the feet. Directly entering light does not cast shadows, so these images have little depth. Try to start with the light source at about a 45 degree angle to the baby's head.

 Natural light is one of the best sources, so photos near a large window work well. To balance the shadows, place a reflector on the opposite side of the baby's window. Again, make sure the window faces your head more than your feet.

 Try macro

 Tiny things make great macro themes, including newborn ones. Be sure to snap some close-up shots of all those details – the little toes, the wrinkled hands, the little pucker on the lips. If you have a macro lens, you certainly shouldn't leave it in your camera bag during your shoot. Get closer to those sweet little details.

 Make the most of every pose

 Most of the time spent photographing a newborn is not taking photos, but setting up poses. You'll need to soothe an anxious baby or rock him to sleep first. With so much time invested in posing, make the most of each setting by taking multiple shots from each of the different angles and focal lengths.

 Take a full body shot and then get close to just the face or details. Try different angles, from above, from the side, or from the front.

 On the right time

 Timing is very important in Woodlands Newborn Photographer. Schedule the session at the wrong time and chances are you'll end up with a fussy baby who won't strike a pose. Ideally, a newborn session should be scheduled when the baby is less than two weeks old.

 Babies sleep the most during the first few weeks, so that's when it's easiest to get those sleep poses. It's not impossible to photograph an older baby this way, just a lot harder. The time of day is also important. Most babies tend to be fussy at night, so mornings are usually better.

 Unhurried

 You'll spend a lot more time taking newborn portraits. Don't think you're going to take pictures for an hour and go home – set aside at least half of your day for the session.

 Newborn photography is a great way to remember that first month, but it's challenging to do. Make sure you put safety first and only use poses that babies can hold until you gain more experience, as well as make sure the props are safe too.

Read also: 7 tips to prepare for the spring photo session

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