Newborn photography requires much more time, preparation, and special consideration than an adult photoshoot. If you have a brand new bundle of joy and you want to capture just how cute they are before they grow up too fast, follow these important tips to prepare for a newborn photoshoot.
1. Give Your Baby a Bath Right Before The Shoot
You want your baby to look as fresh and clean as possible for the photos, but cleaning them directly beforehand has the added benefit of making their fine hair look adorably fluffy!
2. Feed (And Burp) Your Baby Right Before The Shoot
You don’t want your baby to be fussy and hungry when the photographer arrives. If your baby is hungry and crying, you’ll be lucky to get a single decent photo, and your whole photography budget might be wasted!
You also don’t want a spit-up accident, so give the baby a chance to burp before the shoot, as well.
A full tummy also helps make your baby more sleepy and complacent for the photoshoot.
3. Arrange a Selection of Your Favorite Outfits
Your photographer might have different ideas for what outfits will work in what settings. Don’t just pick out a single outfit you like — you need to account for potential accidents and clashing colors!
Bring a selection of newborn essentials such as footies, sleep bags, booties, and knit caps. You should also pick one or two funny onesies and/or cute outfits if you want a more whimsical photo or two.
4. Bring An Item for Scale
You’ll want to be able to look back at these photos and say, “Wow, I can’t believe how small they were!” So, if you’re doing close up shots, make sure you bring something to give your photos a sense of scale.
Some ideas are a teddy, a rattle, or some meaningful family memento. It could even be something as simple as your hands or arms! Don’t leave the shoot without getting a photo that provides a sense of scale.
Many photographers recommend bringing as many props as you can so you have a lot to choose from come time for photos. Anything personal or handmade will make your photo all the more priceless.
5. Choose a Specialized Photographer for Newborn Photoshoot
Baby photography has its requirements: photographers need to know more than just equipment, lighting, and framing. No matter how experienced the photographer is, they need a bit of infant know-how for this type of shoot.
They have to be able to keep the baby calm and comfortable while arranging them into poses that are the best for photography. It’s a delicate balancing act, so don’t get a photographer who’s never worked with babies before!
Make sure you check out the photographer’s portfolio, and, if they have any, their reviews. An experienced and talented photographer is well worth the money.
6. Meet with the Photographer Beforehand
It’s oh-so-important you have a thorough discussion with your photographer well before the shoot so that expectations are clear between you. They might want you to bring certain props or make certain preparations beforehand, and it’s important to prepare.
If you’re having your newborn photoshoot taken in your home, you might want to ask them to bring certain props or ask them how best to prepare your living space for photography. Natural light is best for most photoshoots, so they’ll probably ask where the windows are in your house and if there’s a particular space with the best lighting.
You should also take this time to discuss details like how many final photos you’ll receive, how much time editing will take, and exactly how much copies will cost. Keep in mind that you’ll likely receive fewer photos for a baby’s photoshoot than for an adult’s. This is more than fair when you take into account how much more difficult and time-consuming it is to take a photo of a baby than an adult.
7. Warm Up Your Home
If you’re having the photos in your home, make it as comfy as possible. Before your photoshoot, turn up your thermostat! Babies need to be kept snug and warm, and if you’re trying to take an assortment of photos where they might be in their diaper or thin clothes, the cold will wake them up and distress them.
Warmth is one of a baby’s primary indicators of comfort. To keep them cozy (and hopefully lull them to sleep) turn the thermostat up to a toasty 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Bribe the Siblings
If your baby has siblings that are going to be part of the photoshoot, know in advance that the process is going to be long and “bo-oring,” according to them. Some shoots can last up to three hours, and that’s a long, long time for a child with a short attention span!
Bring lunch, a treat, and their favorite toys to keep them occupied when they’re not being photographed. Sweeten the deal by promising a treat or age-appropriate gift afterward — but only if they’re on their best behavior during the shoot!
9. Dress to Match
If you and your family are taking photos with the newborn, coordinate your outfits well in advance. Most photographers recommend plain, solid-color clothes so that you don’t take attention away from the baby. Choose neutral colors like cream, white, light blue, pink, or gray, and make sure your outfits complement each other well.
Hope you found the article useful! Do share your photoshoot experiences in the comments.
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