Professional newborn photography is a wonderful investment many families choose so they have heirloom pictures of their precious child.
But most newborn photography is done casually at home by mom and dad (and doting relatives). Many of my clients ask me how to make the most of the photos they’re taking of their baby. So I’ve put together this list of 5 baby photography tips that will increase your confidence and skill.
1. Invest in a good camera
Sure, your smartphone camera is handy and readily available, but its capabilities are limited, especially in low-light situations, like inside your home. Consider buying a DSLR or high-quality mirrorless camera and taking an online class in basic photography skills so you can use it. Craftsy offers several great, affordable options. The difference between an iPhone photo and one taken with even a mid-range DSLR is huge. You’ll see a bigger range of color and light values, sharper images and clarity, and you’ll be able to beautifully capture your little one’s changes from week to week.
2. Consider your lighting
I recently wrote about how to photograph your children outdoors, so check out that post if you’re headed into the sunshine. But for inside photos, you’ll need to put some extra thought into lighting. How many times have you snapped a photo against a window, for example, and the person’s face is almost completely dark? Or used the flash on your smartphone camera and ended up with washed out subjects?
The best newborn photography has more than an overhead light glaring down. There are also side lights (like a lamp) to bring light to the baby’s face. Find the bright areas in your home and plan some photos there.
3. Change up the angle
Our natural tendency is to shoot from where we are standing. Since newborns are always laying down, we shoot down on them at an angle, and that can be lovely. But you want to vary your angle with your newborn photography. Get down on your baby’s level and shoot straight on. If she’s being held by someone, try squatting to get eye level. Try shooting from directly above your baby. Check out the photos below to see the variety of angles I used, from straight down to eye level.
4. Minimize your props
I’m a big believer that less is more when it comes to infant photography props. I like to use one or two soft blankets and no more than one other prop, like the angel wings below or a knitted cap. I think too many props distract from the subject, your beautiful baby, especially if they’re in color. Even a few additional props can create a lot of “competition” for the viewer’s attention. Keep it simple.
5. Learn the rule of thirds
The rule of thirds in photographic composition creates well balanced, visually interesting shots. This is one of the best baby photography tips I can give you for improving your photos. Basically, you imagine the image you’re shooting is divided into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, so you have nine equal squares. Try to have your image on one of the imaginary lines, with special attention to where they intersect. That means rather than centering your baby in the frame, shoot him slightly to the left or right, and top or bottom. See the images below for examples and read more about the rule of thirds here.
I hope you enjoyed these baby photography tips. Do you have others you’ve learned from trial and error or a class? Leave me a comment. And if you’d like to learn more about getting professional photographs of your infant, contact Miette Photography today. The first five people to book an newborn photo session get $100 off their sitting fee!
