newborn - blanket backgrounds / stand with backdrop?

Ok... I was wondering if it is acceptable for photographers to ask parents to hold the blankets when using them as backdrops?

When I had my own child photographed, we had to hold the blankets and I didn't mind it..

But now that I am the photographer.. I feel weird making the parents "work".. Is this normal?

Do you use blankets and make the parents hold it for you?
or do you use stand and muslin backgrounds and bring them to clients?

I don't have a studio, so I go to the clients home..

Thanks!

The only "work" I have my clients to is to wrangle the kids and act as soothers and attention-getters. I would feel weird asking them to hold a backdrop - the same as if I asked them to hold a reflector, or move a light stand for me. In this video it shows a rig you can use: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=VPO3b_EWRWA at around 1:42 she takes the blanket down and you can see the setup. Strangely right after that she has the mom come hold the blanket - but again I think that's odd to do.

just head to ebay and grab the background support kit from ephotodiscount. I only paid $50 shipped and then go to Home Depot and grab some spring clamps.

http://cgi.ebay.com …ain_0&hash=item​4cefb7fcd9

Works perfectly fine for me.

Yes i think i'd feel a little weird asking parents to hold backdrop. but they might not mind it!

Most moms want to hover around their newborn baby, and I don't think it is weird at all! With nursing newborns, it can be a problem sometimes because they smell their mother and can make them restless. I've never had a problem asking a mom for help holding the blanket, and they seem to LIKE being able to be close to their infant, rather than sitting in a corner.

I personally think there is a difference between allowing/asking a mother to hover for both safety and comfort of both the infant and parent and asking them to hold a backdrop. When my daughter was a baby - before I was into photography - and I'd go to Picture People, they never asked me to be off in a corner, nor put me to work, and I appreciated that.

I ended up ordering a stand and muslins set at eBay! lol.. pretty good price compared to a local photo store. I really felt awkward asking the mom/dad.. I also watched some videos on youtube re: newborn posing and most had a stand..

Thanks guys!

Although, this Friday, I am shooting newborn twins but my stand probably won't arrive yet.. So, I have no choice but to ask mom/dad...

PhotosByT wrote in post #10376751
Although, this Friday, I am shooting newborn twins but my stand probably won't arrive yet.. So, I have no choice but to ask mom/dad...

Can you get an assistant? (doesn't have to be a "real" assistant. Just someone you know willing to help out for the shoot)

Oh the stand arrived in time!!!! I love it! It came with 2 muslins 10x24' ..total of $179 I think.. Awesome deal on eBay, thanks again IADUBBER for suggesting!

The muslin alone on a local Henry's cost $250 EACH!

I know I am a little late on this topic but what I have done in the past is take two chairs, turn them around and then use clips to hold up the background. Not idea but works good if you don't have a stand yet!

FELINEDEBOURGES wrote in post #10318244
The only "work" I have my clients to is to wrangle the kids and act as soothers and attention-getters. I would feel weird asking them to hold a backdrop - the same as if I asked them to hold a reflector, or move a light stand for me. In this video it shows a rig you can use: http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=VPO3b_EWRWA at around 1:42 she takes the blanket down and you can see the setup. Strangely right after that she has the mom come hold the blanket - but again I think that's odd to do.

I would like see this video, but it is private.

I could never have a client hold a backdrop. I keep them close to the baby. I bought a backdrop from amazon the cowboy studio. It is alright but I think great for the price. As long as it lasts 2 years it will serve its purpose. It came with a black and white muslims too so that is a plus.

Sometimes you can clamp the blankets/fabric to the back of the chairs. Buy the large clamps at home depot or lowes.