The birth of a baby is one of life’s most precious moments that parents want to cherish forever. Newborn photography is a great way to document your baby’s first days and weeks at home. Professional newborn photographers have the skills and expertise to beautifully capture your newborn’s innocence, tiny features, and fleeting newborn moments in stunning photographs.
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Planning Your Newborn Photo Shoot
The best time for newborn photos is within the first two weeks of your baby’s life, preferably between 5-10 days old. Newborns at this age are sleepy most of the time and easier to pose. They are also very flexible allowing for those cute curled up poses. Here are some tips for planning your newborn photo shoot:
Choosing a Photographer
- Look for a photographer who specializes in newborns and has the experience and patience to work with unpredictable infants.
- Check out samples of their previous newborn sessions to ensure you like their style.
- Read reviews from other clients to learn about their professionalism, creativity, and handling of babies.
Scheduling the Session
- Schedule the session well in advance even before your due date to secure your preferred photographer.
- Plan for the session to last 2-4 hours to allow ample time for feeding, soothing, and posed shots.
- If possible, schedule the session in the morning when babies tend to be in deep sleep after feeding time.
Location for the Shoot
- Most newborn sessions are done at the photographer’s studio which is already set up for ideal lighting, backdrops, temperature control, etc.
- Some photographers are willing to travel to your home but make sure they bring any special equipment needed.
- For studio sessions, dress your baby at home to avoid waking and unsettling them once settled in the studio.
What to Expect During the Photo Shoot?
Some things to expect on the day of your newborn session:
Safety First
A good newborn photographer will make your baby’s safety their top priority throughout the session. They will have the knowledge and skills to properly pose your infant without danger. Open communication about your baby’s needs is key.
Plenty of Breaks
The photographer will work carefully and slowly with plenty of pauses for feedings, diaper changes, soothing, and resets. Newborn sessions typically alternate between active shooting and down time.
Variety of Photos
Posing your newborn can be like a dance between a photographer and a baby. Be prepared to go with the flow in order to achieve a variety of wrapped poses, parent portraits with babies, sibling shots, etc.
Patience Is Key
Understandably babies have short spurts of awake alertness and unlimited ways to express discontent. Maintaining patience is necessary for everyone involved to get those perfect shots while respecting the newborn’s needs.
How to Prepare for the Photo Shoot?
Here are some tips on how to prepare for your newborn session:
Feed and Sleep
Make sure baby is well fed and drowsy before the shoot. A fed and sleepy baby will be more cooperative for posing. Avoid over stimulation or a lot of activity beforehand.
Choose Outfits/Props
Select 1-3 outfits, wraps, blankets, hats, etc. Items should be simple without bold patterns or distractions that take focus away from the baby. Choose soft fabrics that won’t irritate delicate newborn skin.
Pack Supplies
Bring any nursing covers, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc. you might need. If shooting in a studio, find out what supplies they will provide.
Limit Visitors
To avoid unnecessary disruptions, limit the number of visitors during the shoot. One or both parents and the photographer is ideal. No young siblings who might unintentionally wake the baby.
Be Flexible
Remember that working with unpredictable newborns requires going with the flow. Maintain realistic expectations of what is feasible to accomplish during the shoot.
Pose Ideas for Capturing the Essence of Newborns
An experienced newborn photographer will know how to safely pose your baby in flattering ways. Here are some of the traditional newborn poses you can expect:
Curled Up
These tight curled up poses highlight the tiny fetal curl position a baby naturally maintains shortly after birth.
Froggy Legs
Gently bending and tucking your newborn’s limbs into cute froggy leg positions adds dimension.
Headband or Hat
Adding a simple headband or cap can complete the overall newborn look when paired with wrapped or curled up poses.
Tush Up
Having baby lie on their tummy with bootied feet gently pushed up towards their bottom showcases their tiny shape.
Held in Hands
Both of baby’s hands can sweetly be held to showcase their tiny fingers and curled up body.
Sibling Shots
This captures the special relationship between new baby and proud big brother/sister.
Parent Portraits
Special shots with one or both parents help commemorate baby’s first days as a new family.
Editing: Turning Raw Photos into Masterpieces
After the shoot, the photographer will edit the raw images to perfection using:
Lighting Adjustments
Small tweaks to brightness, contrast, shadows, etc. ensures optimal lighting.
Retouching
Subtle retouching removes temporary marks/blemishes and enhances skin tone.
Cropping and Sizing
Strategic cropping into frame portrays the best angles and expressions.
Color Balance
Altering saturation, tones, etc. makes colors pop and brings focus to the baby.
Special Effects
Some photographers add tasteful effects like selective color and vignettes.
Delivery of Images
Photographers deliver finals via online gallery, USB drive, or photo books. Digital negatives are sometimes included.
Preserving Your Newborn Portraits
You will cherish these images forever, so here are ways to beautifully preserve your newborn portraits:
Display in Your Home
Choose your favorite shots for canvas gallery wraps, framed prints, albums to prominently display.
Share Digitally
Share with loved ones through email, social media, photo website galleries, custom birth announcements, etc.
Create Photobooks
Professionally designed photo books are a lasting way to chronicle baby’s first days.
Backup Original Files
Save original digital files, discs, or negatives in multiple safe storage spaces.
Capturing your newborn’s fleeting days as a baby is so precious. With careful planning and an experienced photographer, newborn portrait sessions result in stunning professional photos you will treasure forever. The images beautifully document this momentous chapter in your growing family’s lives.
