Need advice on how to photograph a newborn

[VLadyinRed]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before!

I'm 34wks pregnant and a photoshot with my favorite newborn photographer (www.capturedbygalina.com (http://www.capturedbygalina.com)) just isn't going to be in the budget. My equipment list is below, but I've been taking outdoor photos of dogs for a few years, and have no experience with indoor photos or portraits.

Can anyone give me advice on how to take a picture exactly like this:

http://www.seasidevizslas.com/Baby/babypose.jpg

I need to know about lighting, positioning, and backgrounds I think. I don't have a lot of natural light in my house, do I need a flash? Is that a blanket over a beanbag? Anywhere I can find a tutorial or books? I really appreciate any help you can give me!

[rsagusti]

well to take a picture exactly like that you will need talent for sure :) lots of patience, and yes a beanbag and blanket help with positioning. I use natural light mostly with supplemented flash if needed. Make sure that your baby is pointing 45 deg towards the window light source to get good directional light, and be really patient to get that sleeping baby.

I'm sorry you can't budget for a photographer I think after having a baby sometimes its great to be able to sit back and relax while someone else is doing the photography. I might be able to recommend someone who is portfolio building if you want to help another photog out. PM me if you want, I'm not in FL but I have connections.

[suecassidy]

Brand new babies will sleep anywhere, but like to be warm!! Find a spot with natural INDIRECT light. Set up beanbag or a pile of large pillows bound up in a bed sheet to resemble a bean bag. put a plastic garbabe bag where the girly bits will eventually be, she will pee.... Cover it all with a soft blanket and then work at punching a hole in it for the baby to nestle in.
Once you have that, put the sleeping baby in it and arrange its limbs. Fold and tuck the legs up, fold and tuck the arms. If they struggle against this, don't persist to the point of making them cry, you can "re-tuck" once they get back to sleep. A binky here might be called for, or not. Have mom cover the baby with a soft blanket and stroke its cheek or keep her hand on its back while saying soothing things. While she is doing that, you get your camera focused and ready.
You might think that you should snap right away, but here is the thing with sleepy newborns. You can SEE when they are completely relaxed and asleep and should wait for that. If you don't, you will either have the deep frown lines, or the dreaded one eyed monster. Once you see that they are completely relaxed, have mom slowly lift the blanket and take a couple of shots right away. Then move it and rearrange the baby's arms if they became untucked. Shoot a few more. Get in for a face close up. Ears. Mouth, Nose, corn niblet toes. Once you have those in the "can" you can relax and try different poses that involve moving the baby again. I personally love seeing the baby's hands tucked under their cheek. Work fast and if the baby stirs cover it with a blanket again and wait for it to settle. Have fun!

[12Step]

Thanks for the advice Sue I lurked before posting the same question.

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