Newborn Photography: Something Different

[Farmclicker]

You say you're "different", and since we are all unique, I don't understand what you mean by "different". Different how?

1. cute kid
2. fair photographs
3. acceptable concepts
4. failed execution

#1 cluttered, discordant setup Why the shoes? We don't know why they're there, let alone why they are so prominent in the picture.
#2 cluttered, discordant setup Nice rocker, but your backdrop should be something else.
#3 cluttered, discordant setup Why put a chipping hammer on the baby? Maybe she should wake up and start going after your toes.

Well there are not a whole lot of shipbuilder/farmers who are also into photography for starters, especially on this forum from what I can see, so that kind of makes me different. That is going to give me a different perspective for sure, but I am not in the least offended by any comment. When you do something different, then you are also challenging the established rules too, and in this case, the reply that said I broke too many rules to be effective, has a great ring of truth to it. Perhaps I did.

If I sound defensive here, I really am not trying to be because I know newborn photography should look a certain way, but after scrolling through page after page of infants on their dads arm, or hanging from a woven basket, or festooned with nothing but a crocheted hat on, is infant photography executed perfectly, it is also cliche and boring. That is not me, but also why I gave fair warning in my thread title.

BUT.......

Your pointers will help me tone it down a bit, improve the backdrop and improve overall, and that was the point of posting here. You do not get quality critiques after all by posting on Facebook. All the replies are good in that regard and I thank you for them.

 

[ktan7]

Love the photograph, but too many things going on. Try to have one item + baby. It's just too busy for my taste.

 

[Designer]

O.K., I actually don't care for the cliche poses either. Mostly because they are not a good photographic idea in the first place.

As for you and your baby; will you try a few things for me, please?

#1: lose the shoes, lose the pink blanket, and pose the baby on a white sheet or some blanket that has the same colors as the receiving blanket that she is in. The fewer props, the better the baby show up. Come in fairly close to the baby's face. Actually the entire baby and blanket should fill the frame. If you have a speedlight, use it. The flash will not hurt the baby's eyesight, especially since her eyes were closed in the example shot.

#2: lose the pink blanket, and find a better backdrop (a white sheet, perhaps?) Let everyone see the rocker, but get down low so the baby is more prominent in the frame. You don't need the blanket draped over the rocker, but since it has the same colors as the rocker, maybe it is the blanket that you wrap the baby in.

#3: lose the pink blanket, and for heaven's sake take the chipping hammer off the baby! Also I am not a fan of leaving a rod chucked into the rod holder as it looks menacing toward the baby. Have the welding items in the frame, but an ordinary blanket or sheet would be better and would show off the welding tools better.