Baby photos

Alexandra

Alexandra

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Alexandra
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Hiya. I'm new here :) I am also fairly new to photography so go easy on me. :lol:

I am going to see a friend on Saturday and she has a new baby. I'd like to take some cute pictures of the little fella and was just wondering if you could give me some advice on how to get the best out of them? I have a nikon D3100.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
Welcome :)
Have a look through the people and portrait threads for some ideas and inspiration to start with.
Someone more experienced than me may come along and give you better advice but a good starting point is find some nice light coming in through a window, make sure there is no clutter in the background and get down to the baby's level.
Hope that helps.
 
I would agree with Crocky and also think about your light

I have a 7 month old and since she was born im not sure i have taken a photo that she isnt the main subject!

Although its not the best time of year, try and take photos with light coming in from the window. I have took hundreds maybe thousands of my little one and it surprised me how out of focus a lot were as her head/eyes/hands were always wriggling.

The light will allow you faster shutter speeds. I also turn the autofocus points to manual/centred so i can point the middle at her eyes, focus and then compose and take the shot. I found leaving the AF points on automatic kept focusing on closer parts and leaving the face out of focus.

I guess the rest depends on what you or your friends wants, the baby asleep or awake ? dressed up or naked on a big fluffy blanket/towel.

The only other thing i would recommend is take loads, set your levels if your shooting in manual and check they look ok, then take tonnes, you can always delete them. Nothing more annoying than the baby pulling the right pose but you didnt get them in focus and vice versa (maybe im just rubbish at focusing !). Oh and maybe shoot RAW? I never used to, but have found it invaluable for changing exposure levels

Have fun and good luck
 
Don't use direct flash it is terrible, at least place a white hanky over the flash single layer if you don't have a decent external flash
 
JSER said:
Don't use direct flash it is terrible, at least place a white hanky over the flash single layer if you don't have a decent external flash
Click to expand...

Agree. If you have external, bounce off ceiling and it will be great. Make sure shutter speed is at least 1/100 too. The other thing is background. If you have a 50mm then go to f2/f2,8 or something, if its a kit lens, then you will probably get quite a lot of background in focus so make sure its uncluttered, use throws or sheets to make a backdrop.
 
Google is your friend. Find some baby photographer's websites for inspiration - you'll find a lot of them use standard positions/poses.
As previously said, find somewhere with lots of natural light (conservatory can work well if they have one - just make sure you get a few heaters going first!!).
 
I've only photographed a couple of babies and agree with the pp who said keep your shutter speed at 1/100 at least (doesn't take much to get a blurry hand) and a wide aperture. Also, take your time and use what's around you as little personal touches make all the difference, incorporate a favourite toy or comforter or the blanket granny knitted. Above all, relax, take your time and enjoy it :)
 
If you're shooting at home the best way when there is poor natural light is to learn about off camera flash. Invest in two cheap manual flashguns and a couple of cheap triggers. Set them up to fire into the ceiling at opposite corners of the room and shoot away. You'll get excellent results.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2007/12/christmas-game-plan-results.html
 
To be fair, one decent flash is perfectly fine. As long as you bounce it and are not too close you will get perfectly good light.
 
That's true, but you wont get the shape to the light that cross lighting gives.
 
Thank you so much for all your replies :) I have taken it all on board and will make sure I upload the pics I take for you to see x
 
Yes make sure there is a nice variation of lighting, also you could place a lovely fluffy blanket over the sofa or something and lay the baby on there so it gives a nice back ground and theme! I did this with my baby cousin and the photo turned out beautifully! :)
 
They say never work with animals & kids and it's true! Have lots of patience when shooting as babies do move quite a lot and usually uncooperative ;-)
As others have said, take lot's of shots and you are bound to have some good ones.
If baby is asleep, take some close up shots of feet, fingers, eyes, eye lashes etc - it's all things that your friend will cherish when the baby is older as they grow up so quickly. Good luck.
 
Definitely take some slightly abstract shots - feet / hands etc. I took both my children holding a 50p in their fists when they were first born to give an idea of size. Also the obligatory hands-in-a-heart shape over their tummies / bottoms if they're frogging on your chest. Obviously that needs 2 people - 1 for shooting, 1 for doing the heart on sleeping baby.
 
hi

use a fast lens such as 85mm 1.8 and a shutter speed priority with a shutter speed of at least 1/125 to avoid any shakes.
 
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