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Newborn Photography Tips for Beginners

Before you pick up the camera decide what shots you want to take of the newborn. Get creative with new angles and ideas when shooting the new baby.

Operating at wide apertures (small f number) will allow you to work in darker environments and capture stills with the focus on your subject. The best lens to use when photographing any type of portrait is a fast 50/85mm prime lens.

If you’re uncomfortable operating in manual mode then plump for Aperture Priority and opt for a wide aperture of f4 or f5.6. Focus on your subject’s face and include a section of the backdrop into the frame. This is where an interesting or colourful background can make the scene more dynamic. Position yourself at the end of the child and focus on the feet – throwing the rest of his/her frame into a creatively blur.

Attach a zoom lens to vary the composition of your shots; catering for up close cute pictures of feet, hands, nose or ears for example and then span out wide to grab contextual portraits or ones that reveal the entire length of the child.

Avoid flash at all costs – not only is this disruptive to the calm atmosphere you want to create but it can rob the image of texture and tone. Position the cot or child near a window (using a white sheet or curtain to diffuse if it is a particularly bright day. Remember to exposure for the face. Use even light when photographing your subject.

Declutter the scene of distracting items such as nappies or bottles and incorporate soft blankets for interesting colours and texture. Place props such as a loved toy or teddy to emphasis size.

Black and white images can carry more emotion that their colourful counterparts so experiment when photographing or editing images post shoot. Some cameras offer this as a menu choice but so you don’t restrict yourself it is advisable to shoot in colour and desaturate or select a B&W option in an editing program later. Play around with curves in Photoshop or the Presets in Lightroom to control contrast and brightness of the shadows, midtones and highlights.
As newborns grow at such a daunting pace, many proud parents choose to photograph their tots at periodical intervals to chart the change. A collection of these images printed in a photobook can make a wonderful gift for a family member.

To emphasis the petite proportions of your newborn try taking images with the parent. For example – baby’s hand on mum and dad’s hand, or the baby’s feet in between the fathers. Use a wide aperture and ramp up ISO if shooting in low light environments.
The best time to shoot an infant is arguably after he/she has had a feed and has been put down for a nap. The noise of the shutter shouldn’t disturb them and means you can move their little hands and feet delicately without resistance or movement.

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Posing Tips for Portraits - Shoulders

When posing your subjects, angle the shoulders instead of having them even or square in your shot when taking head shot and upper body portraits of people.

Shoulders can set the tone for an image as they're the widest part of your subject and they are visually what the main point of focus for your image (the head) is sitting upon.

When the shoulders are angled slightly gives you shot balance and helps lead your viewer's eye into the shot towards your main focal point. It also stops your subject seeming out of proportion as it lessons the width of the shoulders slightly.

Fram your subject slightly off center-so that one shoulder is actually out of the frame. Getting this effect might mean actually getting your subject to lean in one direction or another or it could simply mean getting them to turn their body a little so your not photographing them directly front on.

Always experiment with posing your subject in a variety of ways and see what works best for you and your subject.

Model Portfolio Tips

Creating a model's portfolio involves much more than just using the proper or fancy posing and lighting techniques. It also includes the less glamorous and business-oriented aspects of creating these kind of images. The process starts with finding models and ends with a happily signed release. What happens in between these two events-the business side of model photography--is the main focus of this story.

Communicate with your model!

Talk to the people you're photographing--relate to them as human beings--you're never going to create great images without communication. Communication must begin between model and photographer before you even meet.

You should do a little screening, to make sure that you and the model can work together. Set up an interview with your model to get an idea of her personality and the modeling styles she is available for and what hours and days the model is available for photo sessions.

Tips for Great Portfolio Prints

Take the time to ask your model questions now to make for a smoother shoot later. The really good models know that the more different looks they show in their portfolios the better the odds are for them to get better assignments. During the interview you can help the models by providing them with some simple tips that will make them look better during any future photo sessions.

Keep Jewelry to a Minimum

Jewelry should be used for one modeling series, or better yet leave it at home. The same is true of watches.

Wear Solid Colors

Wear solid colors during a photo shoot because the emphasis should be on the model not on the clothes.

Make Sure the Clothes Fit

Models should not wear ill-fitting clothes that do nothing but divert the attention of viewers from the portfolio. Swimsuits for example should be snug, with no gaps showing when they move.

The Camera Shows the Truth

If the model has skin problems, such as peeling from a suntan for the clothing they're planning to wear they should reschedule. Makeup does not fix all.

Hair Styles

Suggest that the models style their hair differently for each change of clothing during a shoot, to provide variety in portfolio images. For variety, try wigs. Hair can change the look of a model's portfolio photos, too; look for fun and interesting hats in thrift and discount stores.

Experiment

When creating portfolio images, experiment with different clothes so the photographer can shoot the model in casual, formal, business, swimsuit, or lingerie.

Expression

A model's face tells the story of who they are when they show expression!

Tattoos and Piercings

Tattoos and piercings limits a model's availability for limited types of assignments. While stylish today, tattoos and piercings detract from a portfolio and future assignment opportunities that may arise.

Makeup

Models should change makeup style and color when changing hairstyles or outfits.

Footwear

Models should bring different styles of high heels and at least one pair of shoes with the highest heels they have. It changes the way they stand and gives them a bit of height that all but the tallest models use.

One Final Tip

One of the most important aspects of communicating with your models is getting them to trust you and to relax. Let the models feel free to make suggestions about makeup and posing . To get the best portfolio images, both model and photographer should work together. Only when you communicate and cooperate will you be able to create great-looking images.