Shooting Stars

Puppies and newborns envelop people in warmth, happiness and smiles. But try and get both these elements in a single frame, and you will understand the difficulty. Newborns are temperamental to say the least. Check the hassled overwrought mom who tries to nurse her newborn and the situation is self-explanatory. For a novice to venture into newborn photography these parenting skills are a must. Handling a baby and getting it to pose requires immense skills and patience.

Australian photographer Anne Geddes for instance has made her name specializing in new born baby photographs. This newborn photographer even has her own website and studio. She also designs clothes for newborn babies. Geddes is self-taught. Even a novice can become a newborn photographer. Being a newborn photographer takes practice like all branches of photography. A newborn photographer has to deal with a different set of challenges compared with photographers of a different genre including fragile babies and anxious parents.

A newborn photographer will tell you snapping photos of just born are not for the faint of heart and the impatient. Arguments abound on whether one should go about taking newborn pictures or wait till the baby has grown up as it would be subjected to harsh lights and the glare of a camera. Though most people think babies should not be snapped at such a tender age, it is relatively easy as newborns are harder than what most people think. A newborn photographer will do well to remember that babies, at times, tend to develop skin conditions after 2-3 weeks.

Newborn portraits come out better in black and white than color, but this is left up to the discretion of the newborn photographer and the client. A good backdrop and some props are a good way to start. A newborn photographer may decide on shooting a baby enveloped in its mother’s arms or cradled into a nest made from a soft blanket. A baby wearing solid colors makes for a rosy picture. Try not to have too many props in the photo because it would take the focus away from the baby.

Being a newborn photographer also carries responsibilities with it. Safety requirements need to be adhered to as does taking care of basic sensibility. Though a newborn photographer prefers taking close up shots of the baby’s head, tiny arms and legs. For a newborn photographer the trick is to balance creative visuals with the safety of the baby.