When I first had B1 it was just me and him at home. Husband was at work on his first offshore gig and I was so worried that he was missing stuff that I took images every day. Most of the time it was just candid shots; my all time favourite way to photograph, there was lots of sleeping shots, eating close ups and feeding. B1 was by far my most documented baby but isn’t that always the way?
Like most I wanted some more professional looking shots but we couldn’t afford a photographer at the time but if you can I highly recommend you do as well as doing your own. You don’t need a fancy digital camera at that time I had a point and shoot camera so nothing was technical about my shots but I got some really beautiful images that I will keep forever. I also edited them with pic-monkey. Now I use my iphone and have a love affair with After light a cheap little phone app.
Don’t let not having the right equipment stop you. Its all about how you use what you have..
1. Photograph a newborn if you can if you think about it in the midst of the four day baby blues, milk let down, being in love or trying to find it and the added reality that your whole world has changed in the first 10 days of life as that’s when they are the most easy to shoot if you cant don’t stress. This is fun stay calm and relaxed. The only reason is babies are still really flexible at this age – not that you want to contort them but you can tuck their little legs up and move them easily about with out hurting them.
2. Keep them warm until you have your props ready if you are using any. Remember babies cant control their body temperature so make sure the room is warm or you have a blanket on hand.
3. Photograph using different textured fabrics. Use what you have don’t buy extra material unless you want to. I got some great shots by surrounding my babies in a woollen blanket and I loved the folded details of a crisp sheet. I like the look of natural fabrics best but each to their own. Don’t be afraid to dress them up if you would like. Add a head, band beanie or pop them in a costume if you want to.
4. Use some props don’t go out and buying anything unless you want to. Use what you have at hand a large clothes basket, a ottoman, vintage suitcases but be sensible and use your common sense – don’t be silly in your choice and don’t put your baby ever in harms way for a picture. My favourite was on our bed. I took a lot images of all three boys on our master bed. I loved them in just cloth nappies crawling around playing on a unmade clean bed. Go to pinterest for some inspiration.
5. Turn off the flash. Work in natural light. Open up the window dressings or go by a window or go under a shady tree. I used to photograph a lot on my verandah but if you have a warm overcast day go outside and under a shady tree. If you go outside don’t forget to slip, slop, slap.
6. Get naked if the weather or the temperature in the room permits. Hide the babies private parts by laying them on their belly, covering them up with some fabric or use angles to help hide their little bits. Lets be honest their bottoms will never be that cute again but have lots of baby wipes on hand..unless of course your a parent who are able to toilet train their newborn..sigh.
7. Get up close. Their feet, hands, ears wont be that small for ever in fact they will be bigger tomorrow.
8. Photograph in some in black and white. Black and white is timeless.
9. Use different angles. Stand above them with a chair or step ladder and get down to eye level.
10. Candid shots are as I said my favourite the best. Feeding, changing, sleeping, being in their cots, hugging with siblings and dad. The everyday moments. The best images ever.
Things I didn’t do was take pictures of the boys nursery and the toys that have gone on to be essentials in their lives. What I also didn’t do was print the images regularly so my extra advice make that part of your shopping trip each week. Its only a few cents at Big W then pop them in an album or scrapbook if your able to cut things in a straight line after having a newborn. I’m only just doing it now..when I’m less tired, more focused and able to cut in a straight line.
It should also be added I’m not a photographer obviously I have only just got the art of stringing a sentence together so I cant offer technical advice I just had fun and it was such a nice way to get to know my baby.
What tips do you have for taking images of newborn’s? Did you do any?
xxDeb
