Top 15 Baby Photography Tips for Beginners and Bloggers

-Baby Photography-

Baby photography is a variation on portrait photography. Only the subjects are frequently younger than two weeks old. The goal of newborn photography is to capture this precious moment before the child grows up. 

baby photography

Soon, they’ll be requesting pocket money and borrowing the car. In this article, I’ll be sharing tips on how to capture those precious memories.

What is Baby Photography?

Baby photography is a type of photography that focuses on newborn babies.

It is the only area of photography where the photographer must prioritize the subject’s well-being. Safety is essential.

The best part is that you will have parents to assist you in holding and posing the baby.

They have the ability to make them laugh as well as put them back to sleep. 

This is not to say you shouldn’t invest in a few pieces of equipment to aid in the process.

Photographic Equipment for Newborns

DSLR cameras are ideal for newborn photography. They can shoot in raw, change lenses, and have a high ISO range. Mirrorless systems are also advantageous because they are silent and do not disturb the newborn.

Both of these cameras produce high-quality images capable of producing large prints. Baby photography is the portrait genre’s closest approximation to still life. Sleeping babies are frequently photographed.

Because flash can startle some newborns, use natural window light. That means a good camera for newborn photography should perform well at higher ISOs.

Look for a camera with good noise ratings at higher ISO levels.

Indoor scenes frequently require more than the standard ISO 100. If you’re on a tight budget, stick with a full-frame camera or an APS-C camera. This will also allow you to make the most of the available light.

Stabilization in the lens or camera body will also improve low-light performance. It will enable you to shoot at slower shutter speeds rather than increasing the ISO.

This will only happen if the baby is completely still.

Best Newborn Photography Cameras

In the same vein, when looking for a lens with a wide aperture, such as an f/2.8, to pair with your camera body. Allow yourself to forego the f/3.6 kit lenses that are frequently included with camera bodies.

For baby photography, a 35mm or 50mm f/1.8 lens is ideal. Many good versions are also inexpensive.

Another factor to consider is how loud the camera will be. Most baby photographers use white noise to drown out the click of a shutter.

A quiet mode is an excellent feature to have in some situations. This feature is available on many mirrorless cameras as well as some DSLRs.

The best cameras for baby photography have an appropriate resolution. A camera with a low resolution will not allow parents to make large prints.

Your digital camera should have at least 12 megapixels, but 20 or more is preferable. Many newborn photographers have had success with cameras with 50 megapixels or higher.

However, higher megapixel cameras do not perform as well at high ISOs. The increased detail in higher megapixel cameras can accentuate the numerous skin imperfections that are visible on newborns.

This means you’ll have to do more post-processing. Here’s our list of the best cameras for baby photography:

Sony Alpha a7 III
Nikon Z 6
Canon EOS R
Fujifilm X-T30

Props & Accessories for Newborns

Begin small when starting your newborn portraiture. You may believe that you need to buy every prop and accessory you can get your hands on.

You may be surprised to learn that you already own many of these props. All you need is a little imagination.

You will save money and time as a result of this.

Here’s our list of the accessories that will provide you with a variety of backgrounds and settings.

These are available in a variety of colors and add interesting textures to your image.

Towels

Baskets and buckets

Ottomans\Scarves

Pads for heating

baby photography

Tips For Baby Photography

At first glance, photographing a newborn may appear simple — after all, they don’t move, do they?

However, newborns can be one of the more difficult photo subjects.

They can’t hold their heads up, so finding an appropriate pose can be difficult. 

They’ll need to take breaks to eat or change their diapers, which turns a few minutes of photographing into a few hours.

Furthermore, many newborns will have red or blotchy skin that is difficult to remove.

To get you started, here are 15 newborn photography tips.

1. Safety Comes First. 

When it comes to newborn photography, there are a few things to consider.

Newborn photography is not as simple as it appears. Babies can’t hold their heads in a certain way.

You should never place a baby inside a prop that could tip over or otherwise endanger the baby without taking the necessary precautions. 

And you should not expect to begin newborn photography by taking the same shots as professionalswho have worked in the field for a decade.

If this is your first time photographing a newborn, stick to poses that the baby can hold on their own.

These shots are still enjoyable, but most importantly, they are secure.

2. Wait For Them to Nod Off.

At the best of times, photographing newborns can be difficult.

Crying is a common occurrence that will provide you with only one interesting photograph. It isn’t suitable for an entire series.

Our advice is to wait until the baby is nice and sleepy. This allows you to freely pose and photograph.

This will be easier when the newborn is only a few days old. A week old newborn, on the other hand, can take up to an hour to fall asleep.

3. Photograph Newborns Before They are Two Weeks Old.

Before the age of two weeks, newborns should be photographed. Old newborns don’t stay that way for long.

Babies become more alert after a few weeks and spend more time looking around.

Those sleepy newborn photos you see are best taken before the baby is two weeks old.

That’s when babies are most likely to fall asleep in that adorable little basket. 

Of course, you can take photos after two weeks, but you’ll have to work harder to get that sleepy baby shot.

Babies who are alert and awake are also more likely to wriggle out of that perfect spot.

4. Make Your Environment Baby-Friendly

Everything is new to a newborn.

If you want the baby to keep snoozing while the lights change, the camera makes noises, and the props are adjusted,

You’ll need to do some planning. Before you shoot, try to create a warm environment with a consistent noise level.

Clothes can be bulky and only serve to conceal the newness. A naked baby, on the other hand, is a cold baby.

If possible, bring a small space heater to warm up the area before taking newborn photos. When the temperature is comfortable, the baby is less likely to fuss. The room does not have to be noise-free.

 If there is already some noise in the room, the baby will be less likely to react to any noises you make during the shoot.

However, you can play quiet lullabies or download a white noise track or app on your phone during the shoot to reduce noise.

5. Expect to Spend the Majority of Your Time Soothing the Baby.

Newborn sessions are frequently a few hours long, all for a few pictures. When working with newborns, patience is essential.

Much of the time spent during the session will be spent calming the baby, moving to new poses, and taking the inevitable break because the baby is hungry or has a dirty diaper. 

Take advantage of this if you are photographing your own newborn and spread the process out over a few days, shooting when the baby has just been fed and is comfortably snoozing away.

If you’re shooting professionally or for a friend, remember to be patient while parents feed or change the baby.

6. Don’t Forget the Particulars

Macro photography is also a great place to practice when photographing newborns.

Capture some close-ups of that teeny-tininess as you change the composition.

Consider your toes, hands, eyelashes, baby hair wisps, and that brand new belly button.

Getting close will allow you to see details that you wouldn’t see in a full-body shot.

Every baby is unique, so find what inspires you or melts your heart and photograph it closely.

7. Make Use of Natural Lighting Whenever it is Possible

To be a successful newborn photographer, you do not need to invest hundreds of dollars in studio equipment.

Yes, some photographers have elaborate studio setups and do well, but for beginners, the simplest (and cheapest) way to light newborn photos is with a glass door.

The light from a window is gentle. Hard light, on the other hand, can highlight flaws in the skin, and many newborns have some redness or bumps.

Set up shop near a large window, preferably one that does not receive direct sunlight.

If the sun is shining directly through the window, you can soften the light by using sheer curtains.

Shadows will add depth (and highlight any pudgy rolls), so position the baby at an angle to the window rather than parallel to the light source.

Avoid putting the baby in any positions where light would appear unnatural.

For example, light over the head is natural due to the sun, but light steaming up towards the feet? Not so much.

8. Photograph The Family as Well.

A new baby means an expanding family, so why not include the entire clan in some of the photos?

If possible, include a few family shots in the session, including some with just the mother and baby.

Some with just the father and baby, and some with just the siblings and baby.

Remember that mom just gave birth to a human being and is probably still recovering and feeling self-conscious.

Incorporating the parents can also introduce new poses, such as shots that focus on the baby rather than the family as a whole.

For example, the baby in mum’s arms or peering over dad’s shoulder.

These positions are ideal forbabies who like to be held and fuss in other positions.

9. Be Adaptable.

Babies are unpredictable, as you are probably well aware if you are photographing your own child.

Don’t have your creative vision set on a specific shot, or you’ll waste a lot of time and effort trying to get a shot that won’t work for that particular infant.

You’ll miss out on a lot of other opportunities in the process.

Capture photos that highlight the baby’s eyes if he or she is alert and looking around.

If your baby is fussy even after feedings, try changing the temperature or volume level.

Alternatively, try taking photos with the baby in the mother’s arms. If your baby doesn’t like a particular pose, move on to the next one.

You might not be able to capture the image you had in mind, but you’ll capture that baby’s unique characteristics and get a variety of shots.

10. Take Your Time Editing.

Your work isn’t finished once the shushing and soothing of the session is over.

The overall mood of an image can be greatly influenced by editing.

Lightening shadows creates a softer look.

Adjusting color with the hue, saturation, and luminance sliders produces the soft pastels commonly associated with newborn photography.

Skin redness is a common issue in newborn photography, and adjusting the luminance can help reduce that redness without requiring a lot of computer time.

The healing brush tool in Photoshop, Lightroom, or another full-featured image editor can be used to remove newborn acne.

However, in baby photography, there is a fine line between reducing skin redness and airbrushing skin that is already baby soft.

Editing temporary flaws like skin redness and newborn acne is fine, but make sure looking at those photos brings back memories for mum.

Stay away from the skin blur because it is already baby soft. Leave birthmarks, cow licks, and other oddities alone as well.

You can capture that newborn essence in pixels by incorporating a few tricks, such as using the right props and (free) natural window light.

11. For More Variety from a Single Pose, Change the Composition.

When it comes to baby photography, any time the baby is moved, you may have to start the process of putting the baby to sleep all over again. 

Turn one “pose” into several by adjusting the composition and props to maximize the variety of shots without overwhelming the baby (or, let’s be honest, yourself).

Changing the composition is a simple way to add more variety. Take a full-length shot, then a head-and-shoulders shot.

Shoot one from directly above, one from their level, and possibly another somewhere in between.

Consider more than just height changes — shifting a few feet to the right or left can add some variety and emphasis. 

After you’ve shot a few variations of the same pose, you can add variety by adjusting the props that can be changed without picking up the baby.

Swaddle with a different color swaddling cloth, for example, or switch out a headband or hat.

12. Posing with a Beanbag and Other Baby-Friendly Props

How do you pose newborns if they can’t hold their heads up? A beanbag is a simple tool for contouring the baby into natural poses.

Beanbags specifically designed for the task are easier to work with. But a regular beanbag can also work with a little more finesse and a little less money.

A u-shaped nursing pillow is another great posing item for newborns that many mothers have. 

Both the beanbag and the nursing pillow can be disguised with blankets or backdrops, so bring a variety of colors if you have them. Bring more than one of anything you’ll need for the baby to lie on, or you’ll be stuck if that item is is urinated on. 

Baskets and buckets are also useful for posing newborns, but make sure you can use them safely

baby photography

13. Consider the Season in Which the Baby was Born.

You can make use of the season in which the baby was born. Use props that are appropriate for the month of the year.

This way, you can include the weather conditions in your image.

These images will be used to illustrate stories such as “you were born on a really hot summer day.”

It’s also easier to find seasonal props and decorations, and if the weather is nice, you can even shoot outside.

If the baby was born near a holiday, such as Christmas, include some holiday decorations or outfits in the newborn photos.

For the photos, dress the baby up as a little snowman, Santa, or a bunny. There are so many adorable and entertaining options!

14. Capture the Baby’s Crying

Crying is a normal part of life. Especially when we are infants.

This is an unusual addition to newborn photo ideas, but it’s worth a shot.

Don’t be alarmed if your subject begins to cry during your newborn photo shoot.

Capture how the parents are attempting to calm their babies during these moments.

You can get some great candid shots this way.

15. Ask One Parent to Touch Noses with the Baby

This pose adds a sense of intimacy to your newborn photos.

Request that one parent hold the baby and place their nose against the newborn’s.

They will inevitably look at each other in this manner, and this eye contact will connect them on a deep level.

It’s also an effective way of emphasizing their similar characteristics

FAQs on Baby Photography

How Can You Tell if a Newborn Child is Yours?

 Paternity DNA testing is the only way to be certain; however, there are tools that can provide insight into the possibility of paternity such as:

1. Conception Date
There are various methods for estimating the date of conception that can be found all over the internet. Keep in mind that these are only tools to help you determine if the alleged father is the biological father. They are unable to provide definitive answers regarding paternity.

2. Eye-Color Examination
An eye-color paternity test demonstrates how eye color and inherited-trait theory can be used to assist in determining paternity. This test is based on genetic theories about how genes are inherited from biological parents.

3. Blood Type Analysis
A blood-type paternity test can also aid in the elimination of a potential father or determine whether paternity is likely. The IDENTI GENE blood-type paternity test demonstrates how ABO blood-typing and inherited-trait theory can help answer paternity questions.

Why are Most Newborn Babies Light in Complexion?

When a baby is born, he or she may have a variety of skin tones. When a baby is born, he or she will have dark red to purple skin.

By the time a baby takes their first breath, their skin color usually turns red. The red color usually fades after the first day.

When a baby is born, he or she may have yellowish skin.

However, yellow skin can be an indication of an underlying problem, especially if it worsens.

Melanin that has been exposed to sunlight is responsible for skin color.

Because there is no exposure to sunlight while in utero, the skin is as light as it can be.

Can I Leave a Baby Alone to Shower?

When the baby is left alone outside the shower, you can take a shower as long as you keep it in a safe place where it cannot harm itself. A crib, the baby’s bed, and other similar items should suffice.

This, however, does not apply to swings and bouncy seats, which are not as safe. If you’re worried, you can always bring baby in her car seat into the bathroom with you.

In this case, place your baby in a baby seat and bring it into the bathroom with you. Place it in a location where it will not be splashed with hot water.

Check to see if you can see your baby through the shower door or around the curtain. Remove any dangling plants or cords that your baby might be able to reach.

Is It Okay to go to Las Vegas With Kids?

There is no reason not to take a child to Las Vegas as long as you plan ahead of time and give the child something to do. After all, the metro area has a population of about 2 million people, and not all of them are over the age of 21.

The key is to understand what to expect. They can’t even pause in casinos to “watch” for a second. Walking through the casino is frequently the only way to get to restaurants and attractions.

If you enjoy a drink, they should be barred from entering many bar areas, even though they will obviously not be drinking at the age of 11. They’re likely to come across photos of scantily clad women.

This tends to frighten a lot of American parents, but European visitors appear to be more relaxed about it. Involve them in the journey. Allow them to choose a few activities for the trip.

Many parents have taken their children to Las Vegas and had a good time. It’s a hot topic on these boards, and you’ll almost certainly get responses saying it’s “not a place for kids.”

However, the fact remains that there are thousands of children in LV at any given time.

What is Your Opinion on a White Family Adopting a Black Baby?

What difference does it make whether a white family adopts a black child or a black family adopts a white child? This never ceases to amaze me!

That child will have a loving home and parents to call his or her own! Everything seems to revolve around race!

They will be taught about their foundation by their parents! What they are and where they are from.

Otherwise, they should be barred from adopting ever!!!

The most important thing is that they are adopted into a loving family that accepts them for who they are and allows them to continue to be a living and loving part of their family!

Never once did they consider that they are different in their hearts.

Have You Ever Crocheted a Baby Blanket?

Well, yes. I also used it for her newborn photography. When you first start learning how to crochet a blanket, you want something quick and simple so you don’t have to wait weeks to see the results of your efforts.

This crochet baby blanket is a quick and easy crochet project.

It only makes use of two basic crochet stitches: single crochet and chain stitch. In addition, using a larger-than-usual hook size adds drape to the blanket and allows the work to move a little faster than it would otherwise.

You’ll need a few tools, including: Yarn. Select your yarn. Yarns come in a variety of styles and colors. It is best to start with a smooth yarn if you are a beginner.

Hook. Crochet hooks come in a variety of sizes., and the size you require will be determined by the yarn you use.

Yarn Scissors. A pair of scissors is required for snipping the yarn at the beginning and end of projects.

Stitch Markers.  Locking stitch markers are especially useful if you set aside a partially finished project and don’t want any of your crochet stitches to come loose. 

 Darning needles are used at the end of a project to sew the yarn ends in and the crocheted fabric together (if required). Tapestry needles are another name for them.

Ten tiny toes, wisps of soft hair, chubby cheeks, snoozing eyelashes, and, of course, that new baby smell.

But then, all of a sudden, that newborn is running around the house half-naked and dropping things in the toilet.

Childhood moves at breakneck speed, which is why baby photography is so important for capturing those fleeting moments.

I hope this you find this article on baby photography inspiring enough to get you started. Kindly leave a comment and share.

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