I need advice - natural light baby.

[Tom K.]

I have been asked to photograph a 1 year old baby next week. It will be an outdoor session. The mom and dad want 10 to 15 high Rez photos. I have one hour to complete the task. It will be in natural light.

Here's the problem. I have been shooting photographs for several years and though not a professional I have been published a number of times in magazines and books covers etc. However, I have never photographed a baby in my life. I know that sounds odd but it's true. I shoot a lot of archetecture and general work. I have not done too many people photos in my life.

I will be using a Canon 5D Mark II. I have a 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L, a Canon 24-70 f/2.8, a 16-35 f/2.8 and a 100 f/2.8 8 IS at my disposal. They want shots of the baby. Maybe one or two family photos but really head shots and solo shots of the baby.

Natural light photos only.

What kind of advice can anyone here with experience give me for this to be a successful shoot?

I don't want to end up with a bunch of missed focus mediocre pictures.

Any advice will be very welcome.

Thank you,
Tom K.

[Sam]

I checked out your flickr and it looks like you have no problems getting correct exposure. Finding some nice open shade and shooting around sunset time will give you the best natural light in my experience.

Tighter shots are going to be pretty easy, shallow depth of field is typical, just make sure you can get both eyes in focus and you should be able to get the shots you're looking for.

I suggest getting mom or dad to stand right behind you and draw the baby's attention. Go for any emotion at all. If the baby is camera and stranger friendly you can play peekaboo from behind the camera.

Grumpy, sad, happy, giggly can all be cute to a parent. Getting natural expressions is a priority for me over posed shots.

Good luck.

[Maureen Souza]

Listen to Sam; he takes awesome outdoor photos of his kids :)

[Tom K.]

I checked out your flickr and it looks like you have no problems getting correct exposure. Finding some nice open shade and shooting around sunset time will give you the best natural light in my experience.

Tighter shots are going to be pretty easy, shallow depth of field is typical, just make sure you can get both eyes in focus and you should be able to get the shots you're looking for.

I suggest getting mom or dad to stand right behind you and draw the baby's attention. Go for any emotion at all. If the baby is camera and stranger friendly you can play peekaboo from behind the camera.

Grumpy, sad, happy, giggly can all be cute to a parent. Getting natural expressions is a priority for me over posed shots.

Good luck.


Thank you so very much Sam. I am grateful.

[thonee27]

you might wanna consider reading this.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=912133

[Kristy]

I would bring something that will "contain" the child should they be inclined to keep wandering off and not being able to get a few good solo shots.

Not sure if it's a boy or a girl, but things like a little red wagon or a red tricycle to sit them on, maybe a rocking horse, and a cute chair of some kind, are different things that will ground the baby for a little bit.

A bunch of colorful balloons and Bubbles are always fun and a great way to break the ice with a little child. I also have a hand puppet that I bring along who is great at getting attention and lots of smiles. :).

I would be cautious of having mom and dad behind your shoulder because it causes the child's eye to go upward and away from your lens... if you want direct eye-contact with your lens, you'll be better wrapping a rubber band around lens and securing a colorful toy that will help to grab the child's attention, or pay peek-a-boo as Sam mentioned. That's better for the eye to eye connection with your lens. :) You can ask the mother to bring a few favorite colorful plush rattles, or other similar things that would be small enough to attach to your lens.

Children are fairly easy to photograph single handedly. Once you establish a friendship, it should be pretty easy. Even at 1 year old, a child is able to recognize their own image on the back of your LCD, so take a few shots, and show him/her the preview image... they think it's funny, and that might help you to establish your friendship. :)

The work on your website and Flickr page is really awesome... I can't imagine this is going to be difficult for you at all. :)

[Tom K.]

you might wanna consider reading this.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=912133

Fantastic link. This will be a great help.

Thanks for all the advice folks. You're all very kind.

[Gatorboy]

Bring some reflectors/scrims if you (for some reason) are so stubborn on considering only sunlight, in case you need to fill in shadows or diffuse direct sunlight.

[Tom K.]

Bring some reflectors/scrims if you (for some reason) are so stubborn on considering only sunlight, in case you need to fill in shadows or diffuse direct sunlight.

I'll be in open shade. Any advice under those conditions Gatorboy?