My first go at a newborn shoot.

JustJazzie · Oct 4, 2015

I had tons of fun shooting this little lady, but I had no idea what I was in for! I was mostly unprepared for the shoot because I didn't really know what to expect. This was also my first attempt at using completely natural light....Which I hated by the way! I want to improve my natural light work so that I am able to expand my skills. But, I felt completely lost without my strobes and these ended up much "lighter" than I prefer and with practically no contrast. I was also limited in which direction I could pose baby since I can't move the window!

Anyways, her Mom was happy because she prefers the light/airy shots. So that is a bonus.

Obviously, I have a lot to learn when it comes to posing newborns and there are tons of things I will try to do differently next time, but all things considered, I am pleased with the results.
1) (one of two composites I tried)

2)

3)

4)

5)

6)

tirediron · Oct 4, 2015

Bearing in mind that this is an area in which I have NO expertise or experience, I'd say you did okay; looks like a baby to me!

wyogirl · Oct 4, 2015

6 & 2 are my favorites. 6 because you see how tiny she really is and 2 because it's a nice photo of her face.

Derrel · Oct 4, 2015

Not bad. Good record of what the baby looked like as a newborn. I do not mind the tubes either...getting rid of them smacks a bit of, well, I don't know what, but fakery, or deception, or deviation from an important medical reality, I guess would be some ways to describe it. But it's not a big deal, not going to make any difference to anybody probably, but I think it is good to have the tubes shown in at least some of the images.

JustJazzie · Oct 4, 2015

Thanks @tirediron !

@wyogirl , she WAS tiny! Only about 5 lbs.

@Derrel, the mom requested the tubes out for the bible shot, but I will be giving her mom one of each version. On the pink blanket, her tube had fallen out and covered her mouth so it was edited to save the shot.

FITBMX · Oct 4, 2015

tirediron said:
Bearing in mind that this is an area in which I have NO expertise or experience, I'd say you did okay; looks like a baby to me!

I hate it when someone takes pictures of a baby, you get the prints and it's a photo of a horse! Light can do funny things if you mess up!!! :biglaugh:

FITBMX · Oct 4, 2015

Looks like a great start to me!

SMartin · Oct 5, 2015

I love the B/W photo and the last.

urahara · Oct 6, 2015

I like most the 5th for the creativity and expression on the baby. #1 is my second fave on your set.
I think they all turned out very good. Light/composition/focus.. at all aspects actually, seem great to me.

vintagesnaps · Oct 8, 2015

I think the one of the mom and the baby is lovely. I noticed the tube looks like it's tugging down on the ear some, or maybe the headband slid down a little or the tube got a little caught with the way the mom's holding the baby.

I wouldn't do the first pose/position with a newborn, although probably being on the tummy is better than using a froggy pose. I realize this is on a message board, it's not like anyone knows me in real life to know my background or expertise or that sort of thing, but I was an EI Specialist for over 20 years and it's not a way we'd position babies. I realize composites are usually done with adults' hands/fingers photoshopped out of the photos, but this type position would be done once the baby's developed the appropriate amount of head control.

I noticed in #4 the foot looks a little purple which with the baby being on oxygen could indicate a need to be repositioned. Probably I'd have the mom where she can see the baby the whole time to help watch for that sort of thing.

As far as the photos go, there are a couple where there could maybe be a little less space around the baby so there's a little less blanket and the baby fills the frame a little more, but the quality of the pictures is nicely done.