How to photography your newborn baby!

It is extremely important to know that you should pace yourself before you jump into doing anything. You just had a baby! So just wait for one or two days for things to settle down at your end. Though the ideal time for newborn photo sessions are usually in the first 15 days, you can wait till the hush hush decreases in your place. If you are having your first baby, this is bound to happen. Start from the fourth or fifth day. You need not stress yourself or the baby with a lot of lighting or by making her go through a lot in just one day. Most photographers prefer to take pictures over a period of time. He will definitely give you a breathing space of 5-15 days for the entire photo shoot. This will also help you photograph the baby’s small changes from the first day of the shoot to the 15th day! Take things easy and try not to over do it. If you go a low and steady, you never know how beautiful all your baby captures would turn out to be.

Lighting is everything and that is what matters when you take pictures. Whether you are clicking or a professional, remember that lighting the set up with appropriate lights is what matters. The natural form of lighting is right there on top of you. THE SUN! Use the sun as your major source of lighting and bring in natural look to the pictures. If your photographer insists on artificial lighting, make sure it is subtle. Sometimes, pictures on the camera can be misleading because when you want them to be printed out, they may drop in quality, brightness. Look for what is called the soft lighting. Feel free to experiment when it comes to photos. Try themed set up and increase your dramatic feel. Remember, never Up-light your baby.

There are a few simple and easy things to do to keep your baby happy and sleeping during your shoot. If the baby is happy, you are too. You can make a productive session out of your best baby-handling-skills. Keep your baby full. Yes, the first thing to do, is to not make your baby cry. Feed her ample food before she falls to sleep. Give her some time to doze off. Next, remember to always keep the place you shoot, warm. This will give the baby the feel that she is in your womb, warm and protected. So, make sure you do the best to keep your room warm with a light heater or so.

Make sure there are some small noises. It is fine! Because, if there is no noise, the baby is bound to get up sooner. Make very light noise to make sure she knows you are near her. Or play beautiful, soothing voices, so you can play when your baby is sleeping. Shooting your baby in the between hours of breakfast and lunch is ideal because this is the time babies sleep and are not active and doze off very easily after their meal. It also gives you the energy to set up everything whenever required.

Keeping the baby safe is something that every mother is aware of, obviously! But, sometimes when you try to over-do it, you may miss certain points. Make your baby as your top priority while taking photos. If you are working with different positions or trying to create an environment with props, make sure there is someone who can spot baby sit or help you with the tiny details in the shoot. Your photographer would mostly take the pains of doing the set up, but if he needs some help from you, try to put the baby in her comfortable place and then leave.

When said tiny details, it means TINY DETAILS! Yes, capturing a baby’s tiny turns and twists are very important which will add a great look to your baby album. Her upturned nose, her stretch, those tiny little fingers, toe, smiling face when she is sleeping is always a brownie point. If you or your photographer is using micro lens, even better! Micro lens helps you capture every tiny detail from their noses, lips, ears, shoulder, belly button. These details will be a great way to start off your baby shoot as they will preserve as memories forever.

It is nice to experiment like mentioned. So, try and bring your baby outdoors. If weather permits, take your baby outdoors and into the nature. You can definitely make a great looking portfolio in the outside. You can always make sure you place the baby with great care and shoot in the green fields, or in between the flower garden. They will definitely be one of your favorites! Shooting outside and trying creative ways will open up creative freedom and realm of possibilities which may not be achieved indoors. Bringing properties to the set will enhance the beauty of the shot. Since it is warm outside, babies tend to sleep a lot more making it easy for you. Also can find some other newborn photography poses/guide.

It is great to pose with your baby. Yes, get in the pictures. One or two with you and your baby wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. The best time to get yourself captured is when you can pose with the baby. No one will complain about, you need to lose weight or what you are dressed in. Just do it! This will be a priceless treasure for your new baby as she grows up.

For the love of god, do not keep those photographs in your hard drive for long. Go and print those photos immediately. Do not wait for any design to be done. Just print it and then you can do whatever you want to!

End of the day, it’s just how you want to photograph. Just take it slow, do not pressurize the baby and don’t stress yourself. You can relax too sometimes and enjoy the shot. You will never know how soon these days pass by even before you realize.And then they will be heading to pre-class, school, and they just grow up. So, enjoy every minute with your newborn. It will just pass through a blink of your eye!

-Pavithra Ravi