Newborn portraits

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Toffeman

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Paul
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Tell you something. These really aren't as easy as I thought they would be. I've done around half a dozen newborns so far and have got some lovely results which mum and dad love but still yet to get the ones I want. I really want to do a composite with the baby with their hands under the chin resting their head but every time the baby, even if asleep, wakes up when the parents strip them or puts them on their belly which they're (for obvious reasons) aren't used too, and I always ask the parents to have a warm room.

I'm sure I'm jinxed cos the baby rarely plays ball and stays asleep, even the ones under 10 days old. Anyone have this problem or has any useful tips?
 
Toffeman said:
I'm sure I'm jinxed cos the baby rarely plays ball and stays asleep, even the ones under 10 days old. Anyone have this problem or has any useful tips?
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Have you tried getting the sound effect for the mothers heartbeat in the womb, and then playing it next to your setup, I have not done it myself, but I downloaded the sound effect myself just yesterday, as I may need it soon, apparently it does help, Kelly brown and a few other newborn baby photographers use it to good affect http://www.creativelive.com/instructor/kelly-brown
 
It isn't easy - that is a fact of life.

So you charge accordingly, demonstrate patience, and with experience get to know more about how babies sleep, behave, and start to recognise when you need to shoot, what positions will work, the optimal conditions of heat, light and sounds, and when you need to cuddle, rock, feed etc.... not every baby will tolerate being setup for a composite, or will dangle off an arm or hand.

Anyone who thinks newborns are easy is either spinning a line to get people to buy courses/props/training DVDs or hasn't photographed them much (or indeed at all).
 
TG. said:
Have you tried getting the sound effect for the mothers heartbeat in the womb, and then playing it next to your setup, I have not done it myself, but I downloaded the sound effect myself just yesterday, as I may need it soon, apparently it does help, Kelly brown and a few other newborn baby photographers use it to good affect http://www.creativelive.com/instructor/kelly-brown
Click to expand...

I'll have to look for that thanks. Any idea what the app is called?
 
meonshore said:
So you charge accordingly, demonstrate patience, and with experience get to know more about how babies sleep, behave, and start to recognise when you need to shoot, what positions will work, the optimal conditions of heat, light and sounds, and when you need to cuddle, rock, feed etc.... not every baby will tolerate being setup for a composite, or will dangle off an arm or hand.
Click to expand...

good post meonshore. I have noticed occasionally the parents start to get anxious when the baby starts crying or is awake and wriggling and doing everything I don't want but I try and put them at ease by saying these things happen. Take them away for a feed or give them some more time to sleep and who knows. I guess the elusive composite will happen but I just need to be patient. They make it look so easy on them videos lol. Thanks again
 
I find a hair dryer helps, added warmth and white noise in one handy package - also gives mum something to do. Definitely look to shoot after feeding, just be ready with the wet wipes if you're going for those cute naked shots!
 
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