Tips on Taking Photographs of Newborns

My very first tip would be start when you are pregnant. Nothing says, I can hardly wait to meet you, more than a series of maternity pics. Often pregnant women have an attractive glow, lustrous locks and a healthy pride in their growing bellies which warrants the spotlight . Include the father to be, siblings and other family members such as grandparents, or even great grandparents. I have done generational sessions which included the mom to be, the grandma to be and the great, great grandma to be. Images such as these allow family members and significant others to share in the joy and anticipation of the new arrival. The photos themselves will have a lot of meaning not only for the family members but for the child as well. These images are sure to become heirlooms.

My next tip is be patient. When I book a new born session I ask that the parents clear between two and three hours. Newborns are notorious for not co-operating, they need to be fed, they need to be changed and they want to be held. Even with a generous time frame success is not guaranteed.

Next on my list is keep it simple. You want your focus to be on your little one and not on a cluttered background or extravagant props. A neutral background such as white, grey, or beige often work well. If you want to include a prop, I suggest something sentimental such as a hand crocheted blanket, babies first stuffy, or a nostalgic piece of clothing. I want all my newborn images to bring back a host of memories, not merely a depiction of what the infant looked like.

Include closeups of wrinkly feet, tiny ears and pudgy hands. Include your own hands possibly holding their tiny feet or their tiny hands. Fill your frame with them, sleeping, smiling  and even crying. 

Finally make sure you have sufficient light. Light is the medium which captures the moment and etches it on your memory card or phone. Without light you have no picture, with poor light you have a poor photo. 

In this day and age taking thousands of photos is easier than ever. You can clutter your phone, your computer with a vast array of boring mundane mediocre images which become too daunting to sort through. I suggest slowing down to capture a truly remarkable image full of sentiment and meaning. I also recommend occasionally hiring a professional because there is absolutely nothing more beautiful to adorn the walls of your home than an authentic portrait of someone you cherish.