Newborn Photography Update for beginner

[alex_ethridge]

Okay, this is going to sound very uneducated ,I'm sure, but do we not want a blurry background/blanket for this shoot? I ask because a few people made a comment like "Oh look, a floating baby!" when that is not the look I was going for. I just like the look of things to be soft, wrinkle-free, and focusing on baby. Knowing this will drastically help me in breaking my deep, DOF obsession. I had a newborn session last night and again, "floating baby". Although, it doesn't help that I use a thin, stretchy material as my back ground and I notice a lot of NB photogs using materials with texture which will help bring more contrast and dimension maybe?

To be sure, there are times when you want a shallow DOF, which helps separate your subject from the (now blurry) background, but trying for a shallow DOF at all times and in all photos is wearing, trite, and distracting when it is not needed or wanted.

The "floating baby" remarks indicate that you blurred the background when you didn't need to. Anyway, the soft blankets and other props will keep everything "soft and fuzzy" plenty good, and now you can concentrate on nailing the focus on the eye(s).

Most lenses seem to perform best at a mid-range aperture, such as; f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, for instance (your actual numbers may vary some).

When you consistently try for the best image possible, your skills will produce a well-grounded body of work that isn't cliche.

DOF and focus are only part of the picture. (no pun intended) Being skilled with light is probably the single most important aspect of photography that will have a profound effect on your photography. You can learn DOF (and use a calculator until you can do it without one) in just a few good practice sessions, but learning lighting will take most people years to get really good at it, so get started learning lighting ASAP.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to answer all of my questions. You're so in depth that I feel like I owe you! Ha!! You are amazing!! I hope to hear from you again soon! I followed you so I can keep in touch!

 

[Designer]

Thank you, again, for taking the time to answer all of my questions. You're so in depth that I feel like I owe you! Ha!! You are amazing!! I hope to hear from you again soon! I followed you so I can keep in touch!

You're welcome! I'm happy to help.

 

[vintagesnaps]

The 'floating baby' comments should be telling you that you're not yet where you need to be as a professional photographer. Certainly there is much improvement from the first to the second photo posted. I would say you need to practice, just you and your camera. Use a teddy bear as a stand in or something... seriously you need to get the depth of field and camera settings etc. figured out before you bring in a client/subject much less a baby.

OK that's the photography part, but besides having been a photographer forever (I started young!) my background was as an EI specialist working with babies & toddlers with delays in development. I know people with cameras taking pictures of newborns do sessions that go on for hours, but to me that's ridiculous. I wouldn't do that to a baby and parent/family. You need to schedule when the baby is most likely to be ready for photos based on the parent telling you their schedule, then expect the baby won't be on schedule anyway... we're on a baby's schedule, they aren't on ours!

I found that doing assessments I would consult with the parent, discuss how the baby's doing, etc. til/when the baby was alert (or work with the child first then consult); to get photos, nice and sleepy? I'd do what skill assessment needed to be done and would work as efficiently as possible (before it's time for feeding, diaper change, etc.). I'd get the photos you want/need quickly and get done. If you can't do that then practice more, then practice some more til you know how to set/use the camera to get photos efficiently. I'd go for quality more than quantity.

I'm going to come back and post a link...

 

[vintagesnaps]

Finally... this video shows proper swaddling (and 50 sec. in mentions what type blankets to use). I don't know that I ever had a family who used swaddling, but if it's used I think it's best to use proper techniques. I don't see a concern with your photos that show the use of loosely draped fabric (although I'd just as soon toss out that gauzy knit stuff, and don't know why that's being marketed for baby photos) but I've seen newborn photography that appears to be wrapping/binding babies too tightly. There should be room to allow leg movement.

http://www.babycenter.com/2_the-benefits-of-swaddling-your-baby_10347122.bc

As a photographer going in you wouldn't know about a baby's muscle tone or physical development, etc. and I don't know how much improper swaddling could be problematic. I've read that it can lead to hip displacement if a baby is prone to that, and it apparently may not show up til years later.

I just think standard good practice should be used, particularly when working with someone else's child. It might even be better to have the parents position the baby. I'd stay consistent with the type of guidelines that might be given for example by medical professionals to first time parents on how to properly position and handle newborn infants.

While I'm at it, I would AVOID using that chin in hands, up on elbows pose; a baby would be positioned on the tummy to prop when able to lift the head. If you try getting in that position yourself it isn't to me very comfortable, and with a baby's tiny trachea and throat I'd be concerned if a child is breathing comfortably.

 

[alex_ethridge]

The 'floating baby' comments should be telling you that you're not yet where you need to be as a professional photographer. Certainly there is much improvement from the first to the second photo posted. I would say you need to practice, just you and your camera. Use a teddy bear as a stand in or something... seriously you need to get the depth of field and camera settings etc. figured out before you bring in a client/subject much less a baby.

OK that's the photography part, but besides having been a photographer forever (I started young!) my background was as an EI specialist working with babies & toddlers with delays in development. I know people with cameras taking pictures of newborns do sessions that go on for hours, but to me that's ridiculous. I wouldn't do that to a baby and parent/family. You need to schedule when the baby is most likely to be ready for photos based on the parent telling you their schedule, then expect the baby won't be on schedule anyway... we're on a baby's schedule, they aren't on ours!

I found that doing assessments I would consult with the parent, discuss how the baby's doing, etc. til/when the baby was alert (or work with the child first then consult); to get photos, nice and sleepy? I'd do what skill assessment needed to be done and would work as efficiently as possible (before it's time for feeding, diaper change, etc.). I'd get the photos you want/need quickly and get done. If you can't do that then practice more, then practice some more til you know how to set/use the camera to get photos efficiently. I'd go for quality more than quantity.

I'm going to come back and post a link...

Thank you, Sharon. I tried my best not to get defensive in responding to your advice. I just want to reiterate that I don't consider myself a professional, but aspiring to be one with continuous improvements. I get the feeling you despise newborn sessions in general or don't believe in positioning them in ways that are flattering, but safe.
Please know that I am in college to be a Neonatal Nurse and have several courses under my belt that helps me in safely placing a baby for portraits. I have taken 2 different anatomy and physiology classes as well as psychology and child development from birth to an adolescent. Before photography, I worked at a preschool caring for newborns so I have a lot experience with them.

When it comes to wraps, it is 100% up to what baby is comfortable with, ALWAYS. This particular wrap is just baby lying on his back. Baby was not happy about loose arms and legs, so I gently took a stretchy cloth that is VERY SOFT, believe it or not, and wrapped around very loose. I initially wanted baby to do a tushy-up pose but he wasn't happy so I never force them. Baby was more comfortable with this so that's what we did.

As for the time, I just wanted to see what everyone else was doing compared to myself. I need that much time to get what we need. If the parents want pictures of themselves and baby plus sibling(s) as a family, a couple different scenes/poses/outfits of baby alone, AND baby with sibling(s) that takes time and my clients understand this. When booking the session I warn parents ahead of time that this is typically a 2-3 hours session ONLY because we work around baby's mood. If baby is hungry, we stop and feed. If baby is fussy, we stop and cuddle or soothe. If baby pees/poops on my props....we change baby and background. If baby is not comfortable with one thing, we try another. It's all about trial and error and what baby will let us get away with. I never force, I never rush....it's worked out for me so far and the parents always leave happy. They are very aware of this when booking and it doesn't bother them. I don't believe that with more experience that sessions will be reduced much as we are dealing with an infant who may or may not cooperate.

I just don't want you to think I'm another unexperienced, ridiculous, and pushy newborn photographer with very little to no knowledge of how to properly hold/pose a baby. Before I even began this journey, I made sure I was well-informed on everything there is to know on the safety as it is the most important thing to me and the clients. Trust me, I have that down.