How To Practice Newborn Photography

Fragile is the apt word to describe a newborn. Even parents are scared during those initial few days, of picking up a newborn, fondling with it, let alone subjecting it to the flash of a camera. Even with a digital camera, parents are worried about taking a photograph. Newborn photography requires skill and practice. Only then can the photographer convey that sense of reassurance to anxious parents who want to capture that fragility for eternity and yet are apprehensive about their baby’s well-being. That said, nothing quite captures innocence as much as a portrait of a newborn.

A scrunched-up face all wrapped up in woolies with a frown on its face, ah who can resist a new-born baby. Most people think babies should not be snapped at such a tender age, but it is relatively easy as babies are pliant at that tender age. Also remember babies tend to develop skin conditions after 2-3 weeks. And here’s another funny fact if there are plans to take up newborn photography. Babies do not pose they sleep most of the time. So a good question, how interestingly can one sleeping pose differ from another? Again, like in other branches of photography newborn photography requires a creative mind that can imagine good visuals.

Wrap up a newborn in a pashmina and place it on a sofa, or create a nest from blankets and rest the newborn on this or have a newborn cuddle a teddy or a soft toy. Newborn photography is about being visually perceptive. A handy tip, poses do make a difference in the overall image. See how different a pose having a baby rest chest down is versus a photo having the baby belly up. At times, photographers like to focus on a baby’s soft bottoms while some have close-up shots of the baby’s belly. Another all-time favourite is a close-up shot of the baby’s face with every little wrinkle and frown amplified for all to see and adore. Newborn photography is only as difficult as the limitations one places on oneself.

A fallacy that is associated with newborn photography more often than not, especially with concerned parents is fragility. Babies are tough and more pliant than anyone gives them credit. Catch a baby fast asleep at a distorted angle, and this fact comes to light. This pose also makes for a great image. Baby in repose always makes for a good composition along with images of a baby in its mama’s arms or a dad’s strong caress. Be prepared with stuffed toys to distract them and diapers as well. Newborn photography is fun if one does a little bit of prep work and uses a lot of imagination.