{Whilst in isolation during COVID-19 pandemic}
A simple, useful and straightforward guide…
I wanted to create a really simple, useful and straightforward guide on how you can take your very own newborn baby photographs during this ultra surreal time in the world right now – self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This thought came to me from having to cancel sessions and reading through some previous blog posts. One in particular – 5 Important Reasons to Invest in a Professional Newborn Photographer. Sure, I think parents should use a professional rather than an amateur {read why here} but that is not actually an option for any new UK parents right now. So here is the next best thing…
For you new mums and dads – during this time and over the next few weeks – working with a professional photographer unfortunately won’t be an option. And so, with that in mind, it made sense for me to create this guide as a way to help you make sure you get those fresh newborn photographs before the time whizzes by.
This guide is suitable for parents with a Smart Phone or an amateur photographer {not an amateur newborn photographer – let’s be clear that I do not want to advise that parents start taking on ‘poses’ of baby in a certain way} PLEASE leave that to the professionals! Most of it is pose/camera/editing ‘trickery’ anyway! IN FACT – in line with my new approach to newborn baby photography, my guide will give simple suggestions using everything in a much more relaxed and natural way. So let’s start…
‘Technical’ Equipment…
Your equipment doesn’t have to be fancy! We need to remember that the point here is that we want to take photographs of your newborn baby the best we can given the circumstances. No one is expecting you to be a pro with any camera or phone! So, your mobile phone or, if you have a snazzy digital camera, you can use that too.
Side note – to keep this simple – I won’t be going into the technical side of things with DSLR Cameras. So, if you know how to operate your camera manually – then please do. Otherwise, pop it on auto and let’s keep it simple for you.
With your phone, you will be limited to certain things. It’s unlikely that your photographs will be of high quality/resolution quality for large scale printing. And in terms of editing, there will be limitations compared to a pro, but again, this is where we keep in mind that we just want to make sure we don’t miss the newborn stage! And don’t worry – I have more ideas to share about ‘How To Use These Photographs’ too! I’ll write another blog post for you!
So, Smart Phone fully charged and ready, with memory space too! Or digital camera charged and ready, memory cards empty and ready. Both set to auto.
Keep it Comfortable…
Let’s keep this relaxed and easy. Work with your partner to capture these photographs. Most people who are working, are managing to do so from home. So use this time to capture these photographs. Whether you choose to use your baby’s moses basket, cot or your bed. It’s super important that everyone is comfy. For baby, {and maybe for you parents too!} make sure baby has a full tummy and has been burped and changed. I find that mid-morning is often an ideal time to photograph newborn babies – they seem a little more settled at that time of the day. But each baby has their own routine so make this work for your baby’s sleep and eat cycle.
Use bedding and blankets that are of a neutral tones. Whites and creams are ideal. Avoid using bright colours if possible as these colours will be cast onto baby’s skin and are likely to set poor skin tones. For clothing – similar with bedding and blankets – I suggest plain, white or soft pastel toned sleepsuit/onesie or vest. Personally I love texture too – but again, keep the colours of any outfits neutral.
Use Natural Lighting…
Ok, so lighting. We will obviously be using natural light. So, find a space somewhere in your house that has the most natural light. It might be that you have patio doors off your dining room or kitchen. Or you might have a super large window in your bedroom or living space. These areas, coupled with a neutral coloured wall/covering will be perfect. One thing to avoid is bright sunlight glaring into your chosen spot. A cloudy day gives much softer light. Or, you could use some voile/white sheeting or fabric to cover the window space. Or, even easier, wait for the sun to move around a little. So, once you’ve found this area, this is where you need to set up your ‘comfortable space’ for baby.
Positioning of you, baby and your helper!
{Helper being Dad – or you – if Dad wants to take the photographs!!}
On their back…
Ok, so baby wants to be positioned parallel to your window, with them turned slightly away, almost so the light source – window light – is coming down and pointing to baby’s side forehead area. To keep this enjoyable, with baby comfortable in their clothing, full tummy and clean bum, gently pop them down on their back and let them find their comfy position – keeping my previous instruction in mind. They are likely to roll and shuffle – make sure baby is safe at all times. But allow them to settle. If they need a little extra comfort, pop a little blanket over them – keeping neutral colours in mind!
Then, without blocking your light – your partner {Dad} from the side can help with ‘spotting’ baby. ‘Spotting’ means keeping baby safe at all times. Once you’re all settled, then you can start to take photographs. Shoot from above directly down – use a wrist strap for this for extra safety. Then stand to one side {don’t block your light} and go for a cropped shot – so maybe from baby’s head to elbow. Always point your focus on baby’s eye that is closest to you. Then get in closer again to baby’s face. Then, given that your phone has limits – see if you can push in closer for some detail shots. Capture that button nose, cute lips and often long eyelashes. After each of your shots, I suggest you check them out. You don’t want to be moving baby until you know you have your perfect newborn baby photographs. And all you are checking for is that they are in focus.
Alternative positioning…
At this stage, check that baby is still comfy. If they’re on their back – ideal. If they like being on their side or front – then my suggestion is actually using your partner {Dad!} as your comfy prop – dressed in a white t-shirt or shirt! Dad can lay down with baby comfortably and safely on his chest. With baby’s position to the light as mentioned above. And you can still go for the same shots. If everyone is safe and comfy, then play with the angles and take a million shots if you need to! In theory, you shouldn’t ‘shoot up’ your baby’s nose – but actually, I’ve seen some very cute shots this way!
And my last suggestion is to include yourself and Dad. In this case, it might be that you go for arms or hands in the shot similar to below. Or Dad can take the photograph and you can comfort baby, or hold their feet to emphasise their tiny toes!
Your family shot – pop the timer on and with you sat at an angle facing towards the window, all snuggle up and cuddle – making sure to get really snuggled in! This last shot is more about having fun than anything else – with one of you holding baby and the other operating your phone camera.
MOST IMPORTANT – Baby Safety
In all of this information – THIS is the MOST IMPORTANT! At all times you need to make sure that you do what is safe and comfortable for you and mostly for baby. Professional newborn photographers are fully trained and know the best ways to support baby at all times. DO NOT aim to recreate any poses or Pinterest photographs that you have seen. It is just not worth it. And let’s face it – the photographs that you will take with the advice from my above points will be even more special. Because you have taken them at a time when you simply didn’t want to miss out. They will be raw and natural and yours!
Editing your newborn baby photographs…
My suggestion here is to use simple software that is available to you. For your mobile phone snaps, there are lots of apps available. Within each App are filter choices and manual edit options too. For filter choices, go for one that ‘enhances’ what you’ve taken. Try not to get caught up in choosing over contrasting, too light, too dark options. You’ll know what looks best. For manual editing, use no more than three of the settings. ‘Exposure’ to make your photographs that bit lighter. ‘Warmth’ to find the right White Balance. And ‘Sharpness’, simply to enhance what you’ve already taken. With each of these edit points, don’t over-do it. We want your photographs to look beautiful and natural! And don’t forget – good old Black & White edits are pefrect for timeless, classic but sophistcated photographs that are often forgiving of a slight lack of focus! So have a play!
I hope you’ll be happily surprised with your very own newborn baby photographs. Let me know how you get on and share your photographs with me here or on my Instagram or Facebook page. And don’t forget, this ‘lockdown’ won’t last forever. And once we do return to ‘normal’ then you can get booked in to see a professional photographer for that all important family portrait and growing baby photography session!
Smile, Jeni x
Jeni Lowe Photography
P.S. All of these newborn baby photographs included in this blog post were taken at a newborn session with a professional level DSLR camera. At the time of writing this post, I was unable to have visitors to the studio due to self-isolation/social distancing rules.
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