Bringing home a baby and want to take newborn pictures? or you want to have a newborn photography business. Ultimately this guide will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know about Newborn Photography.
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Newborn Photography
Through my years of photography experience I’ve learned so so soooo many things about newborns and babies that I want to pass on the knowledge to you.
Seriously this guide can be used for learning how to document a birth story to a new mom bringing her baby home from the hospital or for someone wanting to learn the techniques and poses for newborn pictures.
We will go step by step through the newborn photography process and point you in the right direction through this post. But before we get started let’s talk about what makes a newborn session a lifestyle session vs a styled session.
Instead of fake, cheesy smiles against a black backdrop, photographers have been capturing genuine emotions in a home based setting. Lifestyle newborn sessions are much more relaxed and natural, capturing the raw emotion of the family with their newborn baby. These types of sessions give the client lots of variety, and they make wonderful coffee-table albums!
On the other hand…–> Although Lifestyle sessions are gaining popularity, there is something timeless and classic with studio newborn sessions. Styled studio sessions make it easier for the photographer to ensure even lighting throughout the session, as well as getting a sellable shot for wall art.
When Should Newborn Photos be Taken?
In order to capture your newborn in adorable curly poses, you should take newborn photos five to twelve days after giving birth. If you want your baby’s sleepy and curly newborn demeanor to be photographed, try not to wait any longer than two weeks for the newborn session
What is a Newborn Photographer?
It is the only area of photography that involves the photographer being completely responsible for the safety and welfare of the subject – the baby. As a newborn photographer you will hold, comfort, soothe, pose, wrap, and often even feed and clean up after your subject, even with the parents present.
Best Camera and Lens for Newborn Photos
Chances are you already have a DSLR camera and a lens – so I always encourage you to start and learn with what you have. The camera you have is the best camera for you at the moment. There is always room for upgrades and growth, that comes with time – you’ll know when the time is right.
If you have a DSLR camera but you don’t have a great lens, this could be a game changer for you and your pictures. I can’t recommend the 50mm lens enough. You get so much bang for your buck it’s almost scary! So for $100 your pictures will look pro in no time, seriously .
A bit more for you here on What Camera Lens to Buy and Not to Buy.
Newborn Session Safety Tips
Even though your job is to take gorgeous pictures of these new babies…it’s also our responsibility to handle them with love and care! These new parents are entrusting us with a precious gift, let’s be gentle and caring.
Even though your job is to take gorgeous pictures of these new babies…it’s also our responsibility to handle them with love and care! These new parents are entrusting us with a precious gift, let’s be gentle and caring.
- Choose Props Wisely – Make sure there is nothing sharp sticking out! if you choose baskets that are taller, make sure you weight the bottom of them with sand bags or ankle weights so that they won’t tip. Continue reading…
- Prepare your space
- Be mindful of the baby
- Having a second set of hands to help and a second set of eyes to watch
- When in doubt with certain poses, go with a lifestyle shot/session.
- Don’t wear your camera around your neck. You heard me! If you let go of the camera to help pose the baby, it can swing back and forth and accidentally hit the baby as you lean down.
- Clean your entire studio space after every newborn session.
Newborn Photography Props
Whether you are trying to DIY your newborn pictures or you are wanting to hire a professional photographer, I can pretty much guarantee you that props will be involved in newborn pictures. It’s up to you or your photographer with how extravagant you go but none the less you’ll have some sort of prop!
A prop can consist of a blanket, diaper cover, hat or headband….or you can get more elaborate with name banners, name blocks, entire scenes and the list goes on.
- 5 Newborn Props Found in Your Home
- Organize Your Newborn Props
- 5 DIY Props for Newborn Pictures
- DIY Newborn Prop – Rope Bucket
So think of blankets, baskets, chairs, scarves, use a bed or couch within your home, books, blocks and many other items can be used for newborn pictures. If you are crafty and creative considering making some of your props i.e. as the rope bucket mentioned above.
What to Wear for a Newborn Photoshoot
While you are in planning mode for bringing your new baby home, don’t forget to even plan outfits for you and the rest of the family. Honestly, when I had my first baby this was not on my radar to plan…and I have no clue why!!!! But I wasn’t prepared like I will be next time!
Here are a few tips to get you started…Neutrals, Light colors, Mama goes first and picks her outfit out so she feels and looks great…read more HERE.
How to Prepare for Newborn Pictures
- Have your baby full and fed
- Relax…I know that can be hard for new mamas and daddy’s!
- Coordinate outfits ahead of time
- Have props purchased and ready for when baby comes and it’s picture time…
- Read more HERE.
DIY Newborn Pictures
Are you the mama that has a great camera and wants to venture into some new territory of doing your own baby pictures? I commend you, but don’t stress about them…take your time, enjoy the moment and capture what you can.
- 8 DIY Newborn Pictures to get at Home
- 5 Newborn Photos to Capture as they Grow
- 6 Tips for Lifestyle Newborn Pictures
- 13 Tips for the Best Baby Photography – Learn how to use natural light with windows and doors at your house!
We know a good camera, a good lens and a little bit of patience is all you’ll need for taking your own baby pictures. Just read up, polish up on some of these amazing tips and you’ll be doing great!
Don’t forget to document the everyday. Take your camera to the store, the library, the market, wherever you go with baby during the day. I love to shoot my reflection in every day surfaces when I have my daughter with me. Taking a nap in the car, getting groceries, going shopping, or visiting with friends/family.
Also remember all of those details you’ll never want to forget…like Eyelashes, lips, toes, and hair are great details to document! Grab some up close shots while baby naps. Babies change so much so quickly so make sure to capture those little details before they grow and change!
Newborn Hospital Pictures
Fresh 48 sessions and hospital pictures of your baby is something you don’t want to forget so if you have a DSLR camera you can totally master the whole DIY newborn pictures in the hospital!
The tiny human that’s been growing inside you is finally here, and while those first hours after baby’s arrival may be chaotic, you’ll want to stop for a moment and take in all those tiny little details.
While hiring a professional photographer to come and capture all these little details immediately after you’ve given birth (24/48hrs) isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, doing them yourself is not an impossible task and I’ll tell you how you can capture these memories with very little effort.
- Use Natural Light (turn off your camera flash if you have one)
- Forget about posing
- Get those flattering Angles….keep reading HERE.
From camera settings to finding the best lighting in the hospital room…read –> DIY How to Take Good Newborn Pictures in the Hospital
Newborn Photography Business Tips
Learning how to become a newborn photographer is different than being a business owner! Having a business plan will help you get your business going in the right direction from the beginning. Learn through these newborn photography tips for beginners!
You’ll not only need the business plan but need to know the editing tips, create a newborn workflow to maximize your time and minimize the amount of time you spend on a newborn session.
- Ultimate Guide to Pro Newborn Photos
- How to Start a Newborn Photography Business
- The Beginners Guide to Newborn Photography
- Ultimate Guide to Editing Newborn Skin
- Basic Newborn Workflow Tips
With a little bit of research and a lot of practice, you will be well on your way to becoming one of the best newborn photography businesses in your area.
Since photography is a creative profession, there are lots of ways to accomplish the same results. I do not feel at all as if I have figured everything out or that I am and “expert”. These are just a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, some through experience and others through mentoring. I hope they help you grow as they’ve helped me in my newborn photography business.
Newborn Picture Ideas
If you’ve combed Pinterest and you’ve oo-ed and ahh-ed over all of those squishy, perfectly posed baby photography but you’d like a bit more inspiration these newborn shots are collected from over a dozen professional photographers and over 60 newborn shots for you to gain inspiration from.
61 Newborn Pictures– Posing Inspiration
In Home Newborn Photography Tips
- DO feed baby right before starting your newborn photos.
- DON’T stand at baby’s feet and shoot up their body.
- DO use natural light. (Window light)
- DON’T use your on-camera flash.
- DO grab a onesie or blanket to use that will look adorable and matches your other home decor.
- Many more AMAZING In Home Photography tips HERE.
As you embark on this journey first Congratulations on welcoming a new bundle of joy into your family or your photography studio! You’ve got this and with anything practice makes perfect if you practice perfect. Give it your best, give it your all and you’ll see results right before you. Don’t hesitate if you have any questions to drop a comment and I’ll reply, helping you the best I can!
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That is a really good tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Brief but very precise info… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read article!