Newborn Photography Advice

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118
Name
Dean
Edit My Images
Yes
Good Afternoon All,

My partner and I are expecting our first child this year and I would love to have a go at newborn photography myself.
I have been looking at many guides on the internet (including previous posts on this forum).

I was just wondering if anybody had there own tips/tricks or links to useful information.

Current kit
NIKON D7500
18-35mm 1.8 Sigma ART lens
50mm 1.8 Nikon prime
70-300mm Nikon zoom
SB-600 Flash
Manfrotto Tripod

So far I've bought a bobby pillow and a large black stretch velvet to use as a back drop, but I am thinking I will perhaps needs some other colours (White, Grey, Blue etc.) as well as some other little props (blankets, faux fur rugs, wicker basket) just from some of the ideas I've found on the internet.

It would be great to hear your stories, and perhaps see some of your final photos for inspiration.

Thanks
Dean
 
How much experience do you have photographing:
  • People
  • Anything in a studio environment

All your plans will depend on the answers to those questions.
 
I would add to Phil's questions:
  • How much do you know about safely posing newborns?
That's not meant as a 'holier-than-thou' type of thing, it's a genuine question you must ask yourself. I would recommend at least having a look through some established newborn photographer's blogs and some tutorials, and familiarise yourself with the safest poses to start with. Training is obviously the best thing but understandably a bit over the top if you're just looking to take some images of your newborn.
Don't go overboard with props & backgrounds - a couple of different colours, and couple of props / hats / wraps and you'll be good to go. Make sure the flash is sufficiently softened with the largest softbox it will work well with - the softer the light the better with newborns. Flash is quite unforgiving with newborn skin so brush up on some editing techniques. Also have a look at some wrapping tutorials, it's your go-to option for settling baby.
Finally, ensure that safety is first at all times - have a spotter with hands either on baby (then composite images together) or inches away (then remove in PS if necessary). It takes milliseconds for a baby to startle from fully rested to rolling off the surface!

Happy to answer whatever questions I can or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Good luck, and looking forward to seeing your images of your new little one!

Regards
Jim
 
How much experience do you have photographing:
  • People
  • Anything in a studio environment

All your plans will depend on the answers to those questions.

Hi Phil,
I have never staged anybody for a photographic shoot before. So my answer to both of those questions would be none.
Most of my photography is outdoors, animals, long exposure/creative.

I would add to Phil's questions:
  • How much do you know about safely posing newborns?
That's not meant as a 'holier-than-thou' type of thing, it's a genuine question you must ask yourself. I would recommend at least having a look through some established newborn photographer's blogs and some tutorials, and familiarise yourself with the safest poses to start with. Training is obviously the best thing but understandably a bit over the top if you're just looking to take some images of your newborn.
Don't go overboard with props & backgrounds - a couple of different colours, and couple of props / hats / wraps and you'll be good to go. Make sure the flash is sufficiently softened with the largest softbox it will work well with - the softer the light the better with newborns. Flash is quite unforgiving with newborn skin so brush up on some editing techniques. Also have a look at some wrapping tutorials, it's your go-to option for settling baby.
Finally, ensure that safety is first at all times - have a spotter with hands either on baby (then composite images together) or inches away (then remove in PS if necessary). It takes milliseconds for a baby to startle from fully rested to rolling off the surface!

Happy to answer whatever questions I can or point you in the direction of someone who can.

Good luck, and looking forward to seeing your images of your new little one!

Regards
Jim

Hi Jim,
Thank you for the reply.
Your first advice regarding the newborn blogs/tutorials is pretty much where I have been doing all of my research before coming to the forum for some more personal advice.
With regards to the flash, a lot of tutorials I have seen tend to use natural light, what is your opinion?
Of course safety would be paramount at all time and my spotter would be my partner, we wouldn't want to put our child under any stress so would take our time, we have read in some of the tutorials about using a space heater to keep the room extra warm, patience when positioning baby, and understanding that (like you say) a lot of post processing goes into these photos.
 
I spent 7 years working in and around a neonatal unit and have seen many new babies startled by flash (evident by spikes on the ECG monitors).

Personally having seen that I’d use natural light on newborns where I can or constant difused lighting if natural light wasn’t good enough.
 
I spent 7 years working in and around a neonatal unit and have seen many new babies startled by flash (evident by spikes on the ECG monitors).

Personally having seen that I’d use natural light on newborns where I can or constant difused lighting if natural light wasn’t good enough.


And you'd almost certainly get the same result if you hooked up an adult to it.
 
And you'd almost certainly get the same result if you hooked up an adult to it.
Never witnessed the same noticeable effect on heart rate caused by flash in adult areas, or indeed older babies or children, where patients were being monitored.
 
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Hi ya Dean, I've just seen that N-photo magazine has a "capture new born portraits" article this month I don't know if that would be of any help to you, afraid I can't help with personal advice I do all wildlife photography, now if you decide to throw your youngster in the air for a flight shot I could help LOL (that was a joke by the way) :)
 
I used to have to photograph newborns and at the time we checked with two top pediatricians, both said flash isn't a problem for newborns, indeed the hospitals often photograph with flash for their own records or whatever hospitals use the photos for.
I've also photographed both my own children newborn and they are fine.
 
Interesting debate regarding the flash for newborn photography, definitely something I will consider.


Hi ya Dean, I've just seen that N-photo magazine has a "capture new born portraits" article this month I don't know if that would be of any help to you, afraid I can't help with personal advice I do all wildlife photography, now if you decide to throw your youngster in the air for a flight shot I could help LOL (that was a joke by the way) :)

Thanks Wanilson I will make sure I get a copy of the new NPhoto mag as they usually have some good inspiration tips in there.
 
For those who have done newborn photography before, what backdrops/blankets do you use?

I already have a large black velvet material
Now I'm looking for some white material that I can use, what size/material would people recommend?
Would something like this be ok?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LANGRIA-Polyester-Microfiber-Resistant-Anti-Fade/dp/B01NGZ19LL/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1523309693&sr=8-5&keywords=white+blanket&dpID=31i2XWAoXsL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

and perhaps a grey too?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LANGRIA-Polyester-Microfiber-Resistant-Anti-Fade/dp/B01N6JMGUJ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1523309693&sr=8-5&keywords=white+blanket&dpID=31i2XWAoXsL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1

I'm thinking that these could go over the beanbag/bobby pillows leading up to the backdrop similar to how this lady does thing...

http://www.kellygarvey.com/newborn-session-pull-back-2/
 
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When I started out I used jersey stretch knitted fabric. It's cheap enough off eBay and comes in a variety of colours but ideally you'd need a hoop to make sure it's stretched properly.
 
When I started out I used jersey stretch knitted fabric. It's cheap enough off eBay and comes in a variety of colours but ideally you'd need a hoop to make sure it's stretched properly.
Thanks Dan, I will have a look on eBay, what are your thoughts on the links that I posted? What do you mean by hoop??
 
I used a fur blanket and hung it up so it was seamless on top of a bean bag we already had, I’m no expert at flash (but if I was I would have used it) so I used the window and had a reflector on the other side. For my niece I got a faux mohair blanket and wrapped her in some cheeseclothe from eBay, the blanket was from sainsburys.

I’d get an extension tube to get detail shots, don’t worry if it’s a knock off, newborns don’t move very quickly so manual focus shouldn’t be an issue, keep the area warm and I’d take the photos after feeding so they are sleepy. I didn’t try any exotic poses, they were laid down asleep.

I can’t remember where I read it and anyone can correct me if I’m wrong but I wouldn’t take the photos straight away, 4-10 days old is what I read.

ALWAYS keep a strap of some kind on the camera attached to you, you’ll never drop your camera but definitely don’t drop it on a newborn.

Lots of help on YouTube too, baby skin is very pink so there is a tutorial on phlearn about changing that to a more familiar skin colour.
 
Thanks Dan, I will have a look on eBay, what are your thoughts on the links that I posted? What do you mean by hoop??

It depends what sort of style you'd like really, what you've posted in the links should be fine though.

I use a hoop system over a beanbag to stretch backdrops over, it ensures there are no creases. If you are just wanting to photograph your own baby though then it's a bit over the top! Here's what I use.........https://www.facebook.com/The-Wee-Frame-234842703521854/
 
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It depends what sort of style you'd like really, what you've posted in the links should be fine though.

I use a hoop system over a beanbag to stretch backdrops over, it ensures there are no creases. If you are just wanting to photograph your own baby though then it's a bit over the top! Here's what I use.........https://www.facebook.com/The-Wee-Frame-234842703521854/

that's a clever way to pull the blanket over the bean bag

I forgot to mention a white noise app on your phone can also be helpful
 
With regards to the flash, a lot of tutorials I have seen tend to use natural light, what is your opinion?

Natural light comes in various different forms.
Flash is a tool to allow you to create whatever sort of light you want - including any of the many flavours of natural light.
Constant lighting is like flash, only much less versatile and much more annoying to sit in front of.
 
Natural light is fine if you have a suitable Iocation at home near a window :)

If you use flash, check if the d7500 can remotely trigger the sb600. Assuming it can, get the flash off camera and bounce it off a white wall or ceiling for nice diffused light. The good thing about photographing your own baby is that you'll have a captive model and plenty of opportunity to polish your technique :)

Good luck!
 
Cant see there being a issue with flashes as bounty come round the hospital bouncing flashes of ceilings and walls when the baby is a day or 2 old. Im sure is there was a major issue with all babies they wouldnt allow it.

What i did was reverse the flash and bounced off the ceiling. As stated the first 7 to 10 days they drink milk and sleep. We used a bean bag and nice pink blanket.
 
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