Working with newborn Advise anyone?

Chaz Photos

Chaz Photos

Jack Elam
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Chaz
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I have done lots of children portraits and families But tomorrow I got a family with new born. Mother, Farther and Newborn. Can anyone give me any tips with working with a new born I am thinking that it might be hard to have its eyes open.
ANYONE?
 
Although I wanted to, I didn't take any "proper" pictures of my daughter as a newborn, just quick snaps. Mainly due to the excitement of having her and there wasn't the opportunity inbetween looking after her and her mother during paternity leave. However, even these snaps taught me one thing which I will pass on to you if I may - patience!

You can't rush a newborn, they will open their eyes, smile or whatever when they want, not when you want. I spoke to the midwife after the birth and she told me not to worry about a sensible amount of flash - obviously don't have a 580EX2 on full power pointed straight at the eyes, but a bit of bounce won't hurt. My daughter got a camera pointed at her aged 10 minutes, she's used to it now and loves to pose. If the parents aren't happy though don't push the use of flash, do what you can with natural light (which I think suits a baby more anyway, personally)

I speak as a relatively new father (well, she's 8 months now, time flies) rather than a photographer.

Hope your shoot goes well.

Ste
 
most newborn togs dont take awake newborn pics, sleepy sleepy is the way to go. Curled up on their front, curled up with a teddy, wrapped up in a baby wap, etc etc. Natural light is best so find a nice position next to a window, something like this (a pullback from someone on another forum)

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I am a member of a forum that is mainly kids and newborns. Join it and get some ideas from there http://ilovephotography.com/forums
 
I was recently (Saturday) lucky enough to be presented with my first grandchild, Leon Samuel. He has totally enveloped my world already!

My daughter asked me to take a few pictures of him as soon as I could as she wanted something when he was just a few hours old.

Out of all of the ones I took, this one made her cry. She absolutely loves it.

Probably not the best one technically from the bunch but its all about pleasing the mum and dad. They didn't want the traditional fluffy white rug and teddy bears they want a picture that "shows a mothers bond" and for mum & dad, this was it.

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One that I saw and really liked is one of dads finger with the babies hand grabbing hold. Babies hands are great imo and it's one to look back on in later years. I think that it has the wow factor.
 
I prefer babies with their eyes closed too. Parents seem obsessed with having the baby awake which makes lift tough - detail shots like hands and feet are a nightmare when they are awake as they move at incredible pace and oof are a certainty! when sleeping it's easy and they look great.

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EOS_JD said:
I prefer babies with their eyes closed too. Parents seem obsessed with having the baby awake which makes lift tough - detail shots like hands and feet are a nightmare when they are awake as they move at incredible pace and oof are a certainty! when sleeping it's easy and they look great.
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That'll be because whilst we [and I include other parents in this] know that the eyes of very new borns aren't actually totally photogenic, and sometimes tending towards cloudiness, as well as the problems of wide awake babies being totally uncooperative - the new parents want memories of them looking wide awake as well as nice and snoozy. Lets face it, any idiot can take a pic of sleeping baby, can't they? :nuts: ;)
 
Yv said:
That'll be because whilst we [and I include other parents in this] know that the eyes of very new borns aren't actually totally photogenic, and sometimes tending towards cloudiness, as well as the problems of wide awake babies being totally uncooperative - the new parents want memories of them looking wide awake as well as nice and snoozy. Lets face it, any idiot can take a pic of sleeping baby, can't they? :nuts: ;)
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I shoot babies awake too :)

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Chaz Photos said:
Thanks for your comments I am doing a home shoot so I take my kit I think its not very big room so thinking of one light will know more when I get there.
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One light is enough especially if you are shooting with a black background - all of mine above were shot with one light and a large softbox.
 
T-Minus 12 days and counting until the Mrs' due date, so I'll be up to this shinanigans shortly. :)

My advice is to trawl flickr (and the others) to get an idea of the type of thing you'd like to shoot then deconstruct the lighting and add you're own spin.

P.S She is now permitting the D700 into the hospital so long as it doesn't go down 'the business end' lol.
 
kalibre said:
T-Minus 12 days and counting until the Mrs' due date, so I'll be up to this shinanigans shortly. :)

My advice is to trawl flickr (and the others) to get an idea of the type of thing you'd like to shoot then deconstruct the lighting and add you're own spin.

P.S She is now permitting the D700 into the hospital so long as it doesn't go down 'the business end' lol.
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That's fair :nuts:

Good luck with everything :thumbs:
 
kalibre said:
Cheers, will no-doubt post when when we have the bundle of joy (+ Pics of course).
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New borns are great to photograph. Get a nice softbox and flash unit, a black sheet and bobs your uncle. You have the perfect model (until they start moving a lot more)!!
 
EOS_JD said:
New borns are great to photograph. Get a nice softbox and flash unit, a black sheet and bobs your uncle. You have the perfect model (until they start moving a lot more)!!
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I've got a ton of gear and setups to throw at the little blighter (metophorically speaking of course). Finally a model that can't run away!
 
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