Infant Photography

Doing my first infant photography gig this Friday. Was curious what come of your setups were. I'm a guy and don't always think the way some mothers would like (flowers and cute ****) so I may need a little direction.

Any photos of lighting setups etc would be cool too.

Good luck.. Shot my sister-in-law's kid a week or so ago, it was not easy, he was crying a lot.. It's better if they sleep. Try to keep the room tem up a little, I guess they sleep better if it's warm. Also we made a mistake and took his diaper off in the begining, so he peed right away. Keep the diaper on as long as you can, shoot head shots, covered shots first.. No lighting was needed. Move the baby over to a big window, and shoot with natural light. Hope that helps a bit!

No matter what you do, newborn babies are gonna pee all over your stuff.. Is the baby that you will photographing a boy or girl? That will depend on what I would recommend to use. There are tons of amazing infant photographers on here. Do a search for swimchic on here and go look at her website. Her newborn photography is amazing!!! She has tons of ideas. Also google infant photographers to get ideas as well. Some you can do with household stuff that you probably own and never thought of using and some stuff you might need to aquire or borrow. Have the parents bring things with them too that they would like to use, such as stuffed animals, soft, fuzzy blankets, etc.. Good Luck and post pics when you are done!

I just did a newborn session yesterday - yes, newborns pee EVERY time their diaper is off the skin. My advice, bring things that are machine washable. I brought a fluffy white throw, placed it in a basket, baby on top - peed through to the floor! On a plus note, I was able to capture a very contented baby in those "peeing" moments. I have found that a sleeping baby is ideal - but babies will be babies, and you must be flexible. My little guy would wake up everytime we touched him... way to curious! It worked though and I think the parents will be happy with the final results.

Nicholas, I checked out your website. WOW!! FIRST baby shoot?? VERY NICE!!!

I just started being willing to shoot infants at all....and got swamped with 3 newborns in 2 weeks. I noticed the "trend" in "contemporary" portraiture is showcasing way over-exposed shots.....??? and perhaps because I have nothing besides a bounce flash, I tend to go to the opposite extreme in (any) my infant shots... but I fell in love with quite a number of your poses with that newborn....but felt they were over-exposed. (?)

I am by NO MEANS being critical, but rather, asking YOU.... is this on purpose? ANd perhaps I am finally leaning towards having a style (cant seem to find "my" style.... lol) because I just love the darker, "no obvious flash" or external lights- look.??

ANyway.... I have been browsing looking for much needed help, myself and thought I would comment. Nice work!!

DOnt worry about trying to come up with "cute" for newborns..... the very idea that they are newborns is WAY WAY cute enough for the clients, and even on-lookers. IMHO, the "cuter" you try to make a newborn with stuffed animal props, the less you see the cuteness of the BABY!!! ya know?

Happy shooting....... Have a good evening! ~Georgia in Georgia

Hopefully the infant will be sleeping. That helps alot.

I just viewed your website, GREAT job with the baby! One thing you might want to look into is locked Galleries that you can give the client a password to. I only say that because when you are working with babies a lot of parents prefer it. Or at least that is what I have found. And smugmug offers it if you have the Professional Plan. Other than that, the photos are awesome, keep it up!

GAinGa wrote in post #8294533
Nicholas, I checked out your website. WOW!! FIRST baby shoot?? VERY NICE!!!

I just started being willing to shoot infants at all....and got swamped with 3 newborns in 2 weeks. I noticed the "trend" in "contemporary" portraiture is showcasing way over-exposed shots.....??? and perhaps because I have nothing besides a bounce flash, I tend to go to the opposite extreme in (any) my infant shots... but I fell in love with quite a number of your poses with that newborn....but felt they were over-exposed. (?)

I am by NO MEANS being critical, but rather, asking YOU.... is this on purpose? ANd perhaps I am finally leaning towards having a style (cant seem to find "my" style.... lol) because I just love the darker, "no obvious flash" or external lights- look.??

ANyway.... I have been browsing looking for much needed help, myself and thought I would comment. Nice work!!

DOnt worry about trying to come up with "cute" for newborns..... the very idea that they are newborns is WAY WAY cute enough for the clients, and even on-lookers. IMHO, the "cuter" you try to make a newborn with stuffed animal props, the less you see the cuteness of the BABY!!! ya know?

Happy shooting....... Have a good evening! ~Georgia in Georgia

RachelC1184 wrote in post #8329156
I just viewed your website, GREAT job with the baby! One thing you might want to look into is locked Galleries that you can give the client a password to. I only say that because when you are working with babies a lot of parents prefer it. Or at least that is what I have found. And smugmug offers it if you have the Professional Plan. Other than that, the photos are awesome, keep it up!

Hey thanks for the comments! Sorry i'm so late coming back to this. I've been revamping my entire site and using my smugmug as a secondary now.

In case some other have not see, I think the shoot went well. I did it as a favor for my friends, and was quite surprised at how difficult it was, but fun.

Some of my personal favs...

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The "baby suspended by hands/arms" shot is always funny to me.

They look great, especially for a first time shooting an infant. They can certainly be tricky, but it only gets more interesting as they get older!