Newborn Photography: A Complete Guide for Newborn Photographers

Newborn photo shoot is popular these days and it is proving to be a great business opportunity for budding photographers. We want to help you become a professional newborn photographer so here’s a handy guide to help you start out in this fun and rewarding work of newborn photography.

• Table of Contents
• What is Newborn Photography?
• Introduction to Newborn
• FAQs about Newborn Photography
• Be Inspired by These Adorable Newborn Photos
• Newborn Photography Tips
• Resources for Newborn Photographers

What is Newborn Photography?

Just like any other genres of photography, newborn photography requires a number of skills and technical knowledge in order to get the best shots. But the biggest difference is that, when working with newborns there is risk of safety of the precious little client. A newborn is technically less than two weeks old, so you can only imagine how fragile the subject is going to be. So the main goal is to capture beautiful moments with such a tiny delicate human being and her keep it forever.

If you are interested about taking newborn photos, it would be best to learn as much as you can about it. You may have a lot of questions on how to become the perfect newborn photographer. Read along and you will find answers to some of the most important questions about taking newborn photographs.

Introduction to Newborn

Since it would be impossible to learn firsthand how to care for a newborn, (unless of course if you are already a parent and has experienced how it is to hold and basically act when you are with one) this video by top UK newborn photographer Elli Cassidy will give you basic and essential information you must be aware of before getting started.

It has great tips and tricks to ensure that you have prepared everything so that you can have a great photography session with the client.

FAQs about Newborn Photography

Whether you are a parent or a budding photographer, it will be helpful to know basic information about how newborn photography works. Here are fast facts about it that you must be aware of:

• How much does a newborn photoshoot usually cost?

  Typically, the costs for a newborn photo shoot vary by region. Hiring a photographer that specializes in newborn and baby photography would cost around $100 to $300 per hour. You may reach out to a photographer by phone, e-mail, or by personal consultation and inquire about rates. The cost may also vary according to the style, theme, location, type of image, and other factors set by the photographer and what the client requires aside from the one stated.

• What age is best for newborn photos?

  The newborn stage, in general, is from birth up to ten days to two weeks. Some photographers are very particular about this period because such time is when the baby is all wrinkly and scrunched-up with newness. As a parent, you must schedule the session at least a week after giving birth so you will have time to recuperate for a few days after getting discharged. The most ideal is when the baby is between seven and ten days old because it is during this period that the baby likes to just curl up and sleep the most.

• How do you do newborn photography?

  Start with newborn portraiture by planning the shoot effectively. Safety comes first so you need to make sure that every surface is clean and cushioned where the baby is to be laid out. Layering blankets, towels, and other soft materials are perfect as both props and cushions. It is also recommended to wait until the newborn is sleepy so you can pose it at certain angles and photograph freely. Taking the baby’s comfort into consideration. If shooting on-location, discuss with the parents whether you are going to bring props or will they provide them and you may ask about the location so you can prepare what tools to bring.

• What is the best camera for newborn photography?

  Taking newborn shots is no easy task. You must be armed with the right equipment in order to capture the most adorable split-second moments. For the camera, large sensors and advanced controls of DSLRs with super-fast autofocus will let you capture those smiles that last only a few seconds. You can check out Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon Z 6, Sony Alpha A7 III, Fujifilm X-T30 and Olympus E-M10 III – which are most highly recommended by many experts. It would also be great to have a camera with a silent shutter since you need to be as silent as possible especially when working around a sleeping newborn. You must also consider investing on prime lenses that have a variety of effects. There are lenses that are great at taking full-frame shots even at low light. Some lenses are able to create bokeh or that pleasing soft blur around the subject.

• What settings should I use for newborn photography?

  Most photographers have their individual preferences for camera and lenses when taking newborn photographs. What is shared among them, even with different gears, are the right settings. Typically, cameras with a wide ISO range, apertures, and shutter speeds will be a huge help to shoot in different scenarios.

  With shutter speed, you must be able to free motion so if the baby is awake and is moving often, a fast shutter speed should be used. For the aperture, a low f-number, such as f/2.8 can give you an out-of-focus background. ISO, on the other hand, will help balance how light or dark the image will be. A low ISO will create darker images while higher ISO will lighten the scene.

  If you are just starting out, it would be best to play around with your camera settings and do test shots using a dummy. It would help a lot if you are able to familiarize how to work with your gear so that you can easily adjust accordingly in every situation, especially if you are shooting on-location where you cannot control much of the environment unlike in a photo studio.

• What lens do I need for newborn photography?

  Investing in a good lens is cost-efficient if you are serious about taking newborn photos. It can be overwhelming to choose but one tip that you should go by is to have at least one that is going to be your go-to lens, and a macro lens.

  The go-to lens is one that you will use for the majority of your shoots. There are lots of factors to consider and it will largely depend on your preference too. Most photographers, however, use a 50mm lens for standard portraits and lifestyle images.

  Small babies have teeny tiny features that might not be easy to photograph in detail. A macro lens is essential in capturing those tiny details. It will give you sharp images and capture details that cannot be captured as clearly by other types of lenses.

• Do you use flash for newborn photography?

  As a newborn and or infant photographer, you must know that having the most flattering soft light is all you need to have those dreamy shots. Although doctors are very reassuring in saying that flash photography cannot do damage even to a newborn’s eye, some parents are not too comfortable with it. Some adults cannot tolerate bright flashes so it would be safe to assume that babies would not like it either. To go around this problem, it would be best to invest in a soft box so that you can diffuse light dramatically. Have studio lights that are soft and not bothersome. When shooting on-location, shoot near a window for a natural light source. Again, know your camera so you can also adjust the light using the settings.

• How long is a newborn photoshoot?

  A newborn photoshoot usually lasts 2 to 3 hours depending on some factors. You must know if the baby has been fed, kept awake, and the last nappy change. These factors are important because it will determine the baby’s comfort during the shoot. Neglecting this information could be difficult as the baby may be uncooperative if it is hungry, wet, or too awake.

Be Inspired by These Adorable Newborn Photos

It can be overwhelming not to have any newborn photography ideas when dealing with a client. Do not fret just yet and take a look at these samples to get you inspired from expert newborn photographers on Instagram.

1. Crying Pose

Source: @mommy_gobabyvibe

2. With a Toy Pose

Source: @justkidistudio

3. Using Heart Cushion Props

Source: @alexandrashmankophotostudio

4. Tushy Up Pose

Source: @dawnphotography.com.au

5. Wrapped

Source: @mari.kochereva

6. Sibling Pose

Source: @littlejeanniephotography

7. Yawning Pose

Source: @aprilcamilleslens

8. Birthday

Source: @mariamadrazophotography

9. Chin on Hands

Source: @shortstoriesphotography

10. Playful Pose

Source: @jessicag.photography

11. With Mom

Source: @ramonmacedofotografo

12. With Dad

Source: @wigglypigletphotography

13. Whole Family

Source: @nicoleedwardsphotography

14. Sleeping

Source: @belik_photography

15. Full Length Shot

Source: @newbornphotographybyjade

Running short on ideas about how you can make a newborn shoot look perfect? You may want to check out the ‘Gram and see how professional newborn photographers do it. Here are 10 Popular Newborn Photographers to Follow in Instagram for Inspiration.

Newborn Photography Tips

Ready for more tips? Here are some of the best ones to know by heart so you will be ready to take those adorable newborn shots.

Tip #1 – Camera Settings for Newborn Photography

Professional photographers do use Photoshop but most of those dreamy bokeh shots are largely caused by the camera. Here is a short but informational video on how you can create those dreamy blurred backgrounds when having the baby on a blanket or a beanbag.

Tip #2 – Lighting Setup for Newborn Photography

Wrong lighting can destroy supposedly good shots. Here are some tips to help you fix your lighting to ensure that you get great shots every single time.

Tip #3 – Newborn Photography Poses Tips

Unlike adults, babies cannot be instructed to take a pose. It is up to your skills to prop them up properly so that they look magical. Here is a helpful technique in wrapping the baby up so they can stay asleep most of the session and work on those poses without a fuss.  

Tip #4 – Newborn Photography Posing and Lighting Tutorial

A great behind the scene video of photographing a baby on a bean bag. Learn about the techniques on how to settle the baby into an adorable pose and how to adjust the lighting for the best effect.

Tip #5 – Props for Newborn Photography

Unlike other kinds of photo shoots, photographing a newborn requires the use of props that are both lovely to look at and safe. Do remember that not everything you see on photos is real! It is never safe to have the baby hanging on hammocks or propped in all sorts of objects. They’re Photoshopped, people, and it is a technique called composite. Now that’s been cleared up, there are, in fact, many safe props you can use around a newborn. Here are 12 cute props you can try out.

Tip #6 – Newborn Photography Ideas

Newborn babies are the cutest, no question about that. Here are some concepts that you can draw inspiration from for your next session. 

Tip #7 – Newborn Photo Retouching Tips

Although newborns are adorably perfect, they sometimes have flaky skin and blotchy red patches, they are normal by the way, that can be fixed using photo editors. Here is a video on how you can do a light retouching to help make babies look their best.

Tip #8 – How to Add Digital Backdrop to Newborn Photos

There are hundreds of things that you can add to a newborn photo in order to make it as cute as possible. Learn about how you can add a digital backdrop in this video.

Tip #9 – 10 Newborn Photography Tips to Capture Perfect Baby Photos

So if you are a photographer not ready for the action in newborn photography, here are some tips for you.

Resources for Newborn Photographers

It can be overwhelming when you are just starting out taking newborn photos. Check out these resources for great tips and ideas on how you can perfect your own techniques in newborn and baby photography.

Resource #1 – Starting a Newborn Photography Business

This is an inspiring video of a full-time photographer that shows how she started in her photography business and how she came to love having newborn babies as her subject. You will learn about tips and tricks that concern everything from props to backdrops, photo shoot make up, outfit, and more.

Resource #2 – 5 Questions to Ask Before You Start Newborn Photography

On the verge of starting out your journey as an infant photographer? This video answers 5 of the most crucial questions you need to ask before taking that leap.

Resource #3 – 10 Books to Learn About Newborn Photography

Some photographers find books as the most useful tool in learning about photographing newborns. Here are ten books that both professional and newbie photographers can start learning about. Parents and individuals who just want to take personal photos of charming babies can also learn a lot from these books.

Resource #4 – Free Newborn Lightroom Presets

Photographing a newborn is both fun and exhausting. Here are free Lightroom presets so you can easily edit newborn photos. These presets are very versatile and can be used for both studio and location shots.

Resource #5 – Free Photoshop Photoshop Actions

It is beyond description how newborn photos are able to bring love and joy to anyone who sees them. Make sure to make every photo a treasure by using these free Photoshop actions to edit your shots.

Bottom Line

Photographing a newborn baby is fun but it can be extremely difficult, especially if you are just starting out. What you must keep in mind is that safety is your immediate priority. Infants are very fragile and you must take extra measures to keep them safe at all times. These tiny individuals also need to be comfortable in order to cooperate during a photo shoot session. Plan ahead of time by timing your session perfectly, make a list of possible poses, discuss with the parents about the outfits, and be resourceful and creative with your shots.

Mind the technical aspects as well so you must prepare your gear such as the camera, lenses, settings, and lighting. Be as flexible as you can be as a photographer by never getting tired of learning about your craft. Read or watch as many resources as you can find so you can widen your perspective and be more open to new ideas that might help you take the best newborn photographs.