Newborn Photography in Romford

Newborn Photography in Romford:

A Checklist for a Successful Photoshoot

Are you thinking about documenting your kid’s childhood by immortalising theirs growth stages through photos? If you are, then you’ve probably poked into a photography subtype called newborn photography.

What is newborn photography anyway?

Newborn photography is probably a little more challenging than any other photography subtype. First of all, you’ll be working with an infant here, likely less than 2 months old, the best is 9-14 days old. Not only are you given the sole responsibility of coming up with highly aesthetic photos, but there’s also one major consideration here: the newborn’s safety.

These fragile little things are tough subjects to take on, after all. You’ll need patience, a good eye for capturing split-second moments, and the right pieces of equipment.

Sounds like a challenge that you’re ready to take on? Whether you’re an aspiring newborn photographer or simply want to capture your child’s precious moments, I’m here to help you out. To get you started, I’ve listed 5 things that you’ll need to take a successful newborn portrait.

2.Quality camera gear

Time.

No, this is not a throwaway tip–you really do need to set aside ample time to capture the best baby photos. Between changing costumes for the baby, styling up your backdrop, and working with the safest baby pose, we’re looking at around 5 hours of photo session.

Not to mention, there will be a constant need to take intermittent breaks to feed the baby, burp them, change their diapers, etc. So when you map out your photo session, make sure that you make enough room for napping and feeding in the schedule.

Our final word on the matter: it’s a good idea to set aside enough time for the shoot. If you have pending errands or appointments, attend to those first before you take on this brave, new project.

So here’s the thing: newborn photography is no walk in the park. We’ve already established in the previous section that you need to set aside enough time to carry it out. The next thing that you should secure: quality equipment that you can use to take the photos. From mirrorless options to standard DSLRs–you’ll never run out of options in the market. To help, I’ve differentiated your camera options below.

• Mirrorless cameras.

With newborn babies, the last thing that you want to do is to startle them and trigger a possible hour-long tantrum. This is where a mirrorless camera can be handy. What’s great about this type of camera is that it’s quiet. You can fire off as many shots as you want without the shutter sound disturbing the sleeping angel/model. The only downside to this option, however, is the price. These mirrorless cameras can be quite steep. If you do, however, have the budget for it, I highly recommend this camera type.

• DSLR cameras.

A DSLR with a high ISO can make any dimly lit room seem like it’s been shot outside.

With a camera like this, you can take good photos of the baby in a room that’s conducive

for sleep and napping. The downside to this? The flash can be quite distracting.

Use a softbox.

It sounds like something you’d definitely use for a baby’s photoshoot, doesn’t it?Well, a softbox is simply a tool that adjusts the brightness of the light. It can jack up the brightness, or it can diffuse the light so that the effect isn’t as harsh. Naturally, it is the latter that we’re aiming for.

• Manipulate light with a reflector.

While we’re still at the subject of keeping light from making a direct trajectory toward the baby, allow us to introduce your next best friend: the reflector. What this does is it bounces off the light that your flash produces and redirects it. This is a good strategy for adding light in the background without concentrating it too much on the infant.

• Add a diffuser to lessen the brightness of your flash.

As I said, babies startle easily . The last thing that you want to do is to disturb their peaceful slumber with a bright flash of light. Your best bet to keep the baby asleep as you take his or her photos? A light diffuser. All you have to do is to simply attach this to your flash. This will prevent the light from going on a concentrated trajectory toward your subject. Instead, it will spread out the light from your camera’s flash.

4. Props and backdrops.

Props and backdrops.

Don’t babies look adorable when they’re dressed up? Of course, it’s not a complete newborn photography set without the use of props and backdrops. Not only is this fun to stage, but it’s also a good exercise for your creative muscles.

Planning is absolutely crucial. You want enough time to develop your concept, gather the necessary materials, and sew/make the costume for your little one. Prepare your concepts ahead and scour the market or your basement for the perfect props without breaking the bank.

Pay attention to the shades, your color scheme, and the materials that you will use also. After all, there might be some fabrics that will irritate the baby’s sensitive skin.

We know that I have been talking about this nonstop, but I can’t reiterate this enough: safety for the newborn is of utmost importance.

This means that the materials that you will use, especially the sharp ones, should be kept away from your model at all times. And of course, metal objects aren’t your only enemies. There are germs and bacteria too. When you fix up the baby for a pose, make sure that you constantly disinfect your hands. Everything that you handle, from your equipment to the props, should be thoroughly cleaned before every use. If you can, do remove your jewelry beforehand too