How are you my beautiful friends?
My studio has been shut down for over 4 weeks now, it feels like almost for ever. I terribly miss my clients and more importantly, I just feel that my purpose was taken away from me. Every week I am hoping for some kind of announcement, that will give me hope that all of this will end soon and I will be back photographing precious tiny humans. Capturing these most special moments for you gives me joy. I feel that I’ve let so many families down, but please don’t worry. I have photographed a lot of older newborns, it will all be fine and we will soon meet at my studio again.
But for now… I have put together a little guide for you that will help you to take some pictures yourself with either a phone or a camera. Although it does not replace a professional photography session at Tiny Posers studio, it will help you capture your little babies as they are and will help you to create beautiful memories of when they were tiny and new.
I have been teaching photographers how to photograph newborns for over 6 years now, but have never done it on ‘paper’. I will try to do my best, please email me and let me know how you are getting on 🙂
You will need:
- Baby 🙂
- A phone or a camera
- A window for the light (!)
- Simple white vest or onesie for your baby
- Simple, neutral, light colour clothing for you
- A large stretchy (!) blanket or a duvet – to use as a backdrop
- Small swaddle blanket
First, take a deep breath and relax. You are not a professional photographer, so don’t stress yourself trying to create what I do at the studio. The most important thing is to capture these memories so you could look back after they have faded away.
Also, babies can sense stress! If you will stress, so will your baby. So let’s take one more deep breath my friend.
Instructions for how to take your own newborn pictures.
- Light is very important, soft natural light is the best light for newborn or baby photography. Photograph your baby during the day time to get the most out of it. Choose a room with light or neutral colour walls.
- Get close to the window, but make sure that your light is indirect; if the sun is directly shining through the window move slightly further away from it until you’re in a nicely lit spot.
- You can use your bed, sofa, ottoman for your pictures. Either cover it with a white duvet or a stretchy soft, light colour blanket. You can also use your floor, just place a blanket or duvet on it.
- Dress your baby in white onesie or swaddle him/her in a little blanket. Or you can try both!
- Position your newborn so the light is coming from the side (left or right) and softly falls over baby’s face, avoid photographing a baby with the light shining up the nose.
- When photographing from the top, position yourself above baby and try not to shoot ‘up their nose’. Yes, no light up the nose and no taking pictures up the nose!
- Move around, try to find different angles, make sure you are not covering the light when you are doing so.
- Make sure you are in the pictures, take turns photographing each other and set a timer for a family picture.
- If your camera allows, get in close. Don’t forget to photograph their fingers, toes, lips, eye lashes.
- Most importantly, make sure you print your images! There is not much use of them sitting on your phone or computer.
Final tips:
- Keep baby safe, do not attempt complicated and odd poses or props. Simple images usually speak loudest.
- Babies like full bellies and warm rooms. Make sure your baby is not hungry or cold.
- Clean your lens, especially if you will be taking pictures with your phone
- If you are photographing with your phone, tap to focus (on baby’s face) and to adjust the light
- Examine the light in your house the day before!
You might need to edit your images a little, to brighten them up or to change temperature – if baby looks too blue, you need to warm it up, if too yellow, cool it down.
I hope this is helpful. Please email me and let me know how you are getting on, send me some pictures! You can also tag me (Tiny Posers) on Instagram. I can’t wait to see your images and to meet you all soon.
Lots of love
Kristina xxx
