Baby shoots

TheNissanMan

TheNissanMan

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Ryan
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Help...

A friend has just had a newborn and has asked me to take some shots, I've explained that I have never shot babies before but would love to try.

Looking at my kit realistically I am expecting to shoot with the 50mm and 430 ocf fired by the 7d. I've had a look at some of the baby shots posted for inspiration but would appreciate some tips as although there are no expectations I would love to be able to provide some special shots for a friend, if it helps the newborn will be 13 days old when I visit.

What tips do you all have for me?
 
I,m just a hobby shooter,but would try and shoot in natural light rather than flash,
try and bounce some light back with a reflector.
Or white card if you haven't a reflector.

try black and white conversion on some of the shots,they look nice.
 
What you want is a large source of light, like a large window without direct sunlight, or you 430EX going through a big umbrella or softbox. You should have a great difficulty or significant expense organising it, if you have a few days to wait for delivery from ebay or so (softbox is a bit more).
Then it is all about lovely but simple props, fast primes, and sharp baby eyes. I've never shot one but this is almost failproof as long as you can keep him calm and happy (the difficult part for me).
 
daugirdas said:
What you want is a large source of light, like a large window without direct sunlight, or you 430EX going through a big umbrella or softbox. You should have a great difficulty or significant expense organising it, if you have a few days to wait for delivery from ebay or so (softbox is a bit more).
Then it is all about lovely but simple props, fast primes, and sharp baby eyes. I've never shot one but this is almost failproof as long as you can keep him calm and happy (the difficult part for me).
Click to expand...
I agree. The large window works really well if you have one you can use.

And you need to be quick because their facial expressions can change very fast!
 
SixToes said:
I agree. The large window works really well if you have one you can use.

And you need to be quick because their facial expressions can change very fast!
Click to expand...

Here's my quick method and the results are good IMO.

If you can get hold if a radio trigger it second speedlight you can put the flash outside a window, hang a bedsheet from the curtain rod inside and you have a huge softbox. Fire it with a trigger or another flash pointing back toward the window, surprising but it works really well. Make a nest out if pillows in a bed it other surface near the window and cover in something plush.

Shoot wide open, around 1.8 to 2.8 continuous focus and shoot heavy because a lot will miss focus if the baby is moving. The light us beautiful and soft and you can do it in a tiny room where there isn't room for gear.

Good luck.
 
When we had photos done of our daughters as babies the common approach was to use a white cloth backdrop, with both my wife and I in light coloured clothing, and to shoot B&W.

Lots of close ups of babies face, hands and toes with shallow DOF, Mum / Dad holding baby, etc.
 
Check out tips for shooting babies

There is some good content in their about getting the right angle, not every shot has to be a happy one.

Just make sure the kid is sitting or laying comfortable, try use as much natural light as possible and avoid scary flashes (do you have a constant light maybe).

Try get some natural shots when they are getting ready for a picture of the family - or the family playing with the baby.

Best of luck, hope you get some great shots!
 
I was in someone house the other week and they had some photos of their youngest on the wall that they had had taken at a studio. The pictures were against a white background and they loved the fact that the togger had spelt out the babies name in wooden building blocks in the foreground.
 
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