Taking photos of newborn preemie twins...

topazsol · Jun 11, 2012

I am brand new to photography. I got my first DSLR in April and I've been taking photos non stop since then. I've been getting a lot of compliments on my photos so I decided to make a facebook photography page and charge super low prices since I am a stay at home mom and I would like to make a little extra money. I have no studio set up, no backdrops, props, or lights so I advertised that I am strictly taking outdoor photos for summer. I live next to a beautiful river so I figured the families or kids, couples, etc could come to my house and we could walk along the river which goes through 2 beautiful parks and take photos. The first park is literally a few steps from my house, I can see it from my front porch. The other one is about a 5 min walk.

So anyway, this woman messaged me asking about my prices, if I charge a session fee, etc. I told her no and told her my price and she seemed very interested. She has twin preemie babies and she said she is not sure about taking them outside because of their fragile health which I completely understand. She asked if I could come to her house to take pictures of them but like I said, I have no indoor set up yet. Could it be possible to take photos of them with natural light coming in through a window? And what kind of props could I use? I have some cute baby hats and clothing that was my daughter's when she was a baby but since they are so tiny, I am not sure if it would fit them. I was looking at professional newborn photos online and it looks like people always use very soft cushiony type of bedding, like the baby is on a cloud. How can I achieve this look with regular household items or what can I buy to achieve the same look?

I really don't want to pass up this oppurtunity. When I saw pictures of her babies, my heart melted. I've never taken newborn photos, let alone twin preemies! I don't think I'll have this chance again. Can you please give me some suggestions about how I can make this work?

cgipson1 · Jun 11, 2012

Wow..

topazsol · Jun 11, 2012

I never said I was a pro, I said I am a stay at home mom who would like to make a little extra money. I am charging extremely low prices, you should re read my post. I was asking for advice about this situation, not rudeness.

I really didn't think my post was condescending or offensive. I am just politely asking some questions.

cgipson1 · Jun 11, 2012

Being paid automatically defines you as a professional. I wish you luck in your new career!

Quote From WIKI: "A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialized set of tasks and to complete them for a fee."

Professional - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

michael9000000 · Jun 11, 2012

cgipson1 said:
Being paid automatically defines you as a professional. I wish you luck in your new career!

Quote From WIKI: "A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialized set of tasks and to complete them for a fee."

Professional - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dude, she simply asked advice... ?

topazsol · Jun 11, 2012

But do you have any suggestions? That is the whole point to this thread. I wasn't trying to find out if I am professional or not, I want to make this photo shoot a good one. I have some ideas but all suggestions are welcome.

michael9000000 · Jun 11, 2012

topazsol said:
But do you have any suggestions? That is the whole point to this thread. I wasn't trying to find out if I am professional or not, I want to make this photo shoot a good one. I have some ideas but all suggestions are welcome.

I have some good simple pointers for you, but it'll have to wait until morning. I need sleep. Check back tomorrow, okay?

cgipson1 · Jun 11, 2012

topazsol said:
But do you have any suggestions? That is the whole point to this thread. I wasn't trying to find out if I am professional or not, I want to make this photo shoot a good one. I have some ideas but all suggestions are welcome.

especially if you have a low end entry level camera that has poor High ISO performance (Sony has some of the worst performance at High ISO, of any cameras available).

topazsol · Jun 11, 2012

I do not plan on editing the photos. I think I can do a good job without editing, I might make a few black and white but that's about it for editing. I think it's more of the props I am wondering about here. How do people get the soft cushiony feel to newborn pictures? I was reading something about covering bean bags with soft material and trying it that way, I am not sure about that though. Unfortunately I can't pratice, I just have to do it. I am pretty sure I can utilize natural light in a way that will work. Working with 2 preemies is going to be a challenge! But I am so excited to do it, I am a mom so I know I will just love these little girls! I really love children so I just can't pass it up. I was thinking about looking around at some shops for some baskets, soft material, etc. I actually have quite a few baby blankets from when my daughter who is 3 now was a baby. And I'm sure their parents will have lots of cute things too. I am getting really excited about this.

VannahRose143 · Jun 11, 2012

My suggestions would be to use a brighter aperture for more light. Babies always look good with paler light, ESPECIALLY smaller (premature) babies who usually have reddened skin or other unsightly conditions. It gives a peaceful tone to the picture if they're asleep, but if they're awake That'd be great too. As for the soft looking bedding, try simply using a soft pastel colored blanket and wrapping it around a cushion. Try not to ruin the picture with TOO many props, the main focus is on the babies. You also don't want to have the really cheesy back drop "yearbook" type of photo, so just work with the surrounding. Any mom who has premature babies will have a nice and well put together house, and the pictures will be more personal if they have the house as the background. Try to get some pictures with the parents in it, if you can. Lastly, since they are so little, the most memorable pictures will have the babies near something that reflects on their little size. Like a big teddy bear or even in the parent's hands.

you're welcome

michael9000000 · Jun 11, 2012

topazsol said:
I do not plan on editing the photos. I think I can do a good job without editing, I might make a few black and white but that's about it for editing. I think it's more of the props I am wondering about here. How do people get the soft cushiony feel to newborn pictures? I was reading something about covering bean bags with soft material and trying it that way, I am not sure about that though. Unfortunately I can't pratice, I just have to do it. I am pretty sure I can utilize natural light in a way that will work. Working with 2 preemies is going to be a challenge! But I am so excited to do it, I am a mom so I know I will just love these little girls! I really love children so I just can't pass it up. I was thinking about looking around at some shops for some baskets, soft material, etc. I actually have quite a few baby blankets from when my daughter who is 3 now was a baby. And I'm sure their parents will have lots of cute things too. I am getting really excited about this.

Your first purchase needs to be an 18% grey exposure card. I'll explain more tomorrow, I promise. Please don't go and buy a bunch of props.

(By the way, two years ago, I became the father of identical twins)

topazsol · Jun 11, 2012

Thanks Vannah, those ideas are really helpful. I love the idea of showing their size in the parents arms. Congrats Michael! The only props I was thinking of using are blankets, cushions, and little hats. I am not sure what people like though. I guess it all depends on the person. I'll talk with the parents to get a better idea of what they want. Seems like some people like very simple and natural (my favorite personally) and some like more extravagant. Like my sister in law who is due next month, she wants me to take photos of her baby in a little nest with wings on her back. I think that's cute but my taste is more simple, but I will do whatever she wants. She is her mom and I will listen to all her ideas and do the best I can for her.

michael9000000 · Jun 11, 2012

cgipson1 said:
You DIDN'T call me on anything... that would require me having done something wrong! And it would also require you having the ability to call me on something... and I don't concede that to you! lol!

I'm over it... Moving along...