Newborn Photographer Lighting Tips

Newborn Photographer Lighting Tips

When taking photographs of an adorable newborn, how do you ensure that the lighting is just right for the moment you are capturing? Lighting is considered to be THE most important aspect of capturing amazing newborn photographs. The biggest tip for photographing newborns is to find your own light! Natural light always produces better end photographs. However, as you cannot always depend upon nature, it is important to understand how to manipulate studio or other lighting to produce the end-result you are seeking. No matter what the setting, your creative newborn photographs will be treasured for a lifetime! These are some professional newborn photographer tips that you can try!

Lighting for Outdoor Shots
Natural lighting often offers the best shots of newborns! When your backdrop is an outdoor garden, or bench, it is important to watch out for the position of the sun, as mid-day lighting can cause dark shadows to appear in your shot. In addition, harsh lighting can cause the newborn to squint, yet again, creating a less-favourable shot. Open shade is ideal lighting when shooting newborns outdoors. Possible options involve placing the baby’s head and neck under a shade source or using your camera’s flash fill if the facial features still appear to dark for your liking. In-direct sunlight is always preferred to direct sunlight. And if you are lucky enough to shoot on a day that is overcast, you may just get your best newborn photographs ever!

Lighting for Indoor Shots
When shooting indoors, keep in mind that bright flashes will likely cause the baby’s facial expressions to appear uncomfortable. When possible, use natural lighting from a window, positioning the newborn where the light highlights his/her facial features. When using portrait studio lighting if that is an option for you, position them in such a way to minimize shadows in the photographs. Reflectors and diffusers could add visual interest when used by the at-home newborn photographer if used correctly.
In addition to the indoor/outdoor basics, there are a few other lighting tips to consider when photographing newborns:

• Avoid using flash to help reduce or eliminate red eye, as this is never ideal in any photographs.
• Create positioning that fosters the newborn’s pupils to be smaller in size (of course if your newborn’s eyes are even open....many new babies sleep through the majority of photo shoots), as larger pupils foster red eye to appear in photographs.
• When you utilize lighting for added effects, ensure that it is angled where the light reflects back into the lens.

Whether you are a novice or professional newborn photographer, paying attention to the positioning and the ultimate effects being created by lighting utilized will enhance the appearance of your end result. The more you photograph the more you will learn to see the light. And if you just can’t get it right yourself you can always call on a professional =)

You have a newborn baby, now what??

You’ve just experienced the miracle of giving birth to your baby–a huge congratulations to you both! But wait…no one warned you about your baby’s crazy sleeping patterns {or lack thereof}, told you that it would seem like they’re crying all the time or that it would feel like they expect an all-you-can eat buffet 24/7! Frankly, you’re exhausted, frustrated and at your wits end. Soothing Solutions Newborn Coaching can help!

Soothing Solutions Newborn Coaching:

• Is ideally taken when your baby is in the immediate newborn phase {1 week-3 months old}
• Will teach you the wildly famous “Happiest Baby on the Block” techniques from a certified educator using your own baby {this will be hands-on review if you did my Prepping for Parenthood coaching}
• Discusses common newborn issues such as crying, sleeping patterns and how to effectively calm and soothe your baby
• Teaches you the “15 Healthy Sleep Habits for Your Newborn” which will make needing to use the “cry-it-out method” unnecessary when they get older
• Provides you with breastfeeding information and support {if you choose to breastfeed}
• Will educate you about the many benefits of infant massage for you and your baby
• Demonstrates many tried-and-true infant soothing products and allows you to try them out with your baby
• Shows a DVD which discusses the importance of being in-tune with your baby and responding to their needs
• Allows you to have ALL your newborn questions answered in a comfortable atmosphere without feeling rushed or embarrassed

To find out more about this service and much much more that can help you during this season visit the Tranquil Baby website here.

Meet Milo! {Newborn Photographer}

Introducing sweet little newborn baby Milo. What a privilege it was to capture a beautiful collection of images for his family to always remember his brand new teeny tiny-ness and the joy he brought to the world in the summer of 2011 =)


Happy Friday =)

Baby Photography in Maryland

too. tired. to. talk. today =)

What to Look for in your Newborn Photographer

What to Look for in You Newborn Photographer:

Patience and Creativity!

The best newborn photographer knows the importance of capturing the first few days and experiences of your sweet arrivals new life. He or she knows that capturing every little detail is critically important to you, from the wisps of soft hair to their little nails. It is important that you’re able to photograph many beautiful poses to help capture the little details, from the resting on the hands to the cutest basket shots. You also want to make sure your baby is safe, warm, and happy.

To find a newborn photographer, take the time to choose the best one who offers all the benefits and services that you value. These moments are far too precious for you to have to deal with an ineffective photographer who may underwhelm your expectations.

Consider the following.

· Be sure to ask questions about the photographer's experience working with newborns in particular. What services do they offer to help you prepare? How many babies have they worked with? Will there be a professional and assistant managing the shot? Will you be able to spot your baby during the shoot?

· Look at the newborn photographer's photographs. The baby should be peaceful or playful and happy. Do the shots look natural or are they strained and forced? Look at the baby, do you see things like a strained face or changes in the child's face coloring that may indicate that the baby is uncomfortable? A professional newborn photographer must be extremely patient to allow the baby to act naturally instead of trying to force the baby into certain poses or facial expressions.

· Can you get references from past clients? Ask for these and get some feedback from the clients on how the session went, and if they would have done anything differently. Your newborn grows so quickly that you don’t want to risk scheduling a session with the wrong person, and then missing out on capturing these fleeting moments of new life.

In short, the newborn photographer needs to be more than a picture taker. He or she needs to be an expert in shooting the intimate details of a newborn's beauty. They need to understand safe handling techniques of the baby while understanding the child's physiology. There is no rushing this type of art, either. Patience and creativity are what make these shots truly special and magical for the parents and other family members.

Safety is perhaps the most important aspect of the shoot. For you to be comfortable, you need to ensure that your child is safe in whatever pose the photographer decides to use. Keeping that in mind, you also want a newborn photographer who can be creative enough to connect with the child's beauty and unique characteristics to create the picture perfect poses that will hold a special place in your heart for years to come.

Ask questions and get to know the newborn photographer before you decide to work with him or her. This is, perhaps, the best way to find out if they have what it takes to safely create memorable photos you will treasure for the rest of your life. BitsyBaby Photography in Annapolis, Maryland can do that for you, and impress you along this magical journey.

Newborn Photography

New Life {Newborn Photography}