1) Take newborn photos within the first two weeks.
Definitely try and capture photo’s of your brand new baby within the first two weeks. I know you will be sleep deprived, especially in this crazy period of time! But it will be worth it i promise, get that new-ness captured while you still can! Plus babies this age are alot sleepier and willing to let you move and leave them to snooze while you snap away!
2) Find the room with the most natural light in the house.
Lighting is SO important, in all types of photography. It will make such a difference. Look for soft, natural lighting. You want to avoid the harsh sunlight beaming through the windows. Often, cloudy days provide the perfect lighting. Keep an eye on the rooms in your house, what time of day is the best lighting in that room? Preparation is key!
3) Keep the room warm.
Baby’s LOVE to be warm. Having a cosy warm room will help your baby settle and stay comfortable during the shoot, make sure there are no drafts! Also, consider using a white noise machine or app. The sounds can block out any movement or sudden noises and keeps them nice and snoozy while your fussing around him/her.
4) Feed your baby before shooting.
Make sure your baby has a nice, full belly before the shoot! It will help keep your baby happy and comfortable while you take photos. I always like to say happy babies make happy photos!
5) Keep it simple.
To me, less is more. Keep it simple. Keep your background clean. Do you have a white bedsheet? Lay them on a bed parallel to the window. Don’t try and force them into unnatural poses or try putting them in a basket. If they flop their arms out when they’re sleeping, that’s ok! It’s genuine and real. The beauty in the simplicity will keep your photo looking modern, natural, and clean.
6) Get in close. Capture the details.
Get your camera close to your subject. For example, capture details like your baby’s fingers and toes! Babies grow so fast and capturing these little details are so important; it will help you remember how small and tiny they used to be. Don’t be afraid to get in close so you can really highlight the small details!
7) Don’t forget a family photo!
Do your best to get a photo of the WHOLE family. If you have older siblings and/or pets, do your best to get them in the shot—your family is not complete without them! Kids and pets are often wiggly, so try interacting with each other instead of getting everyone to sit still. Maybe sing a song or read a book together while you’re all sitting together!
Also, try and lean your camera on something so that you can be in the photo. Set a timer, and then go for it!
P.S. If you have an Apple Watch and iPhone, you can control the camera and timer from your Apple Watch!
8) Shoot near a window. Turn your subject’s face towards the light.
Shooting near a window creates soft, diffused light, which is beautiful and flattering for portraits. The closer you get to the window, the softer the light will be.
Also, remember to face towards the light source so your face can be illuminated and not hidden in the shadows.
9) Share your plan with your family.
Making sure everyone in the family is prepared is so important. Set the expectations and make it fun. You can say you’ll be having a ‘family picture day’ to celebrate. Take your time getting everybody ready for the pictures, especially children. If you are calm, they will be calm. If you make it fun, you will get happy genuine smiles! Let them know why you are doing this, and how they can help! 🙂
10) Complement your clothing. Go for neutral colors.
Don’t forget to coordinate your outfits! Complement your clothing and go for a comfy and cosy look. Neutral colors are also an excellent choice for newborn sessions. A popular color palette is wearing white’s and greys. Stay away from large logos (or any writing, if possible), and avoid black and neon colors as they tend to look heavy and distracting in photos. You can definitely tell if someone is uncomfortable in a photo, so go for comfort!
GOOD LUCK!! Tag me on instagram in all of your beautiful photo’s, i’d love to see them!!! Most importantly, enjoy this time with your beautiful family.
Beth x x
