Baby Photography
Seven tips to make your baby’s portrait session a big hit:
1. Make sure your newborn is well. It sounds fairly elementary but amazingly people “don’t like to abort and inconvenience the studio”. If you have an unwell infant and do keep the consultation, the one thing you will remember is that your little one was not at his/her best on that day. In fact you will be losing your payment and time as well as the photographer’s!
That said, with the wonders of pc retouching now at hand, it is not compulsatory to reschedule for a cut or minor bruise. Confirm with your cameraperson and be realistic about what can be done. A little face spread with with a teething rash can be an expensive retouch job. Bear in mind waiting a few days until the rash subsides.
2. If at all possible, have the child well rested and fed. An infant who is due for a siesta is often grumpy. Many studios are satisfied to make another meeting or maybe just another time slot the same day, where possible. Come planned to give the child a beverage even if he/she is not due for a while. This can often compose an unsettled infant quickly. Your studio should be able to offer you some seclusion whilst the newborn is fed.
3. Attire should be convenient and fit well. An outfit which is nearly grown out of and fits well looks better that something thenewborn ‘will grow into’. This is particularly important with small babies-loose necks and baggy garments make the infant look weak and underfed! Keep in mind to bring at least one change or another outfit . Your photographer should be happy to advise you on the best selection for your photograph session. Occasionally our ‘favourite’ outfit is just not going to give the best results-maybe it is much too fussy or the colours swamp the ‘star’- your baby. If you have a teething child extra bibs are a good idea. And don’t leave behind the nappies!
4. Once your little one can sit up the most successful clothes might include well-fitting, all-in-one suits for a little boy and conceivably a skirt for your newborn daughter. If you pick a skirt try to make sure the dress is fairly full and doesn’t ‘ride-up’ when the infant is sitting-this covers the nappy and keeps things simpler.
Avoid overalls or pinafores with a ‘bib and straps’ as these tend to ride up under the child’s chin.
Until your child is walking, bare feet or outfit-matching socks or bootees look best. This avoids seeing the soles of shoes (even baby ones) which tend to make little feet look huge!
Attire with collars can look untidy around child chins and necks, often deviating up and ‘cutting’ into the baby’s face. Keep it simple.
Go through whether you can see the singlet. Yes? Take it off. This reduces the need for artwork and retouching later.
5. Colours? For young babies with pale complexions, lighter colours work best. Avoid the ‘busy’ patterns and logos which draw away from your baby’s face and complicate the perception. Once again -keep it elementary. Stripes, very bright colours, bold patterns, big checks etc. all draw away from the subject-your infant.
6. You may like to personalise your session with ‘props’, dolls, special blankets or hand-knitted shawls which are intimate to your relatives. After all any game larger than newborn is best left at home as this can compete with the most important subject, your newborn.
7. Adults are often great at achieving smiles from their infants. Listen to your photographer to be in the best viewpoint (lighting, angle) for a great shot. Make sure the newborn can see you but be prepared to step back if your photographer asks you to-sometimes a ‘new’ face is just what baby loves! Also, one ‘cheerleader’ at a time please, otherwise it can all become very disorienting for baby.
This composition is supplied by South Western Studio. Professional photographers situated specialising in baby photography Victoria, Australia.
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