Though most people have seen lifestyle newborn photography, none knew it had a name. Wikipedia writes of it as "a genre of photography that mainly aims to capture portraits of people in situations, real-life events or milestones in an artistic manner and the art of the everyday." The section on the art of the daily speaks so well of what I do. I prefer to show my customers in their natural state performing their usual activities and then capture unguarded moments.
Usually, my customers talk about natural and laid-back pictures at home with an eye on family. You have most likely seen pictures of mother and father cradling the newborn in the nursery. Alternatively the whole family stacked on the bed engaged in a tickling fight as the baby sleeps soundly among the turmoil! More lately, celebrities have made these sessions famous as they display their new baby in an elegant nursery. I have been fascinated with lifestyle newborn photography ever since I observed Tori Spelling's first session with Elizabeth Messina!
Whether your own or someone else's, today I'm providing a thorough guide to lifestyle newborn photography so you have all the tools you need to capture gorgeous, natural, and artistic images of babies!
I will dissect everything you need to consider in this bumper step by step lesson, including:
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Definition of a lifestyle newborn session
Especially in relation to photographing infants, it's advisable to first briefly review what is regarded as lifestyle photography and what the differences are between lifestyle and posed picture sessions before we delve into the actual "how-to."
Usually held in a studio, a posed newborn photographic session consists in the infant either swaddled in blankets or nude, or in adorable small clothing. Usually asleep, the baby then "posed" in a particular way.
Quite often, even if this depends on the photographer, there will be baby photography props utilized; items like baskets, soft blankets, prams, or baskets the baby is positioned in.
This is a newborn in a "posed" newborn session.
Using lifestyle newborn photography, this occurs in the house instead of a studio and instead of the baby being posed, you are capturing photographs that highlight the relationship between the parents (and siblings if any!) or the baby in his or her new surroundings.
Although there is some guidance going on (in other terms, you will set up specific pictures, and ask the family to do certain things), the child isn’s posture in anyway is far more natural and relaxed.
The following is a picture of a newborn shot during a lifestyle photography session:
The ideal age for newborn photography?
Regarding posed baby pictures, it's ideal to schedule them to be shot somewhat early, perhaps between seven and fourteen days.
This is so they can enter those adorable positions from still in that "Sleepy" phase!
Since you aren't intending to pose them, you have more wiggle room for lifestyle pictures of a baby; you take these up to a month or two after delivery (even longer if the parents don't mind that they aren't formally a "newborn"). The later you take them, the more awake and alert the infant will be.
Best places at home for newborn pictures
We initially will review the sites in and around the house for the session.
As we mentioned, these are taken at home with the newborn family photos in their "natural" surrounds using lifestyle pictures.
Though you might arrange in any room in the house, the best places are:
First: Parents' bedroom
Usually, the bed in the master bedroom is a perfect spot for pictures; you have plenty of space on it so you may "pose" the child there on its own, and it's also a great site for shots of the baby with its parents or siblings—that is, truly the complete family!
#2: Nursing Studio
Another fantastic place is the nursery.
Given the small scale, this could be best retained as pictures of the little one on their own, say in the crib or during changing times.
It's also the ideal spot for nursing pics, or just pictures of dad or mum with their newborn.
Naturally, if there is enough space, you may also get environmental images of the parents with the newborn in the nursery.
Third - Living Room
If the living room has a cozy sofa, this could also be a perfect spot for pictures of the infant engaging with the family.
The lifestyle newborn photo shoot list
The baby isn't "posed" with lifestyle photographs, but you still have to control the connection.
Having a list of pictures you wish to capture will help you avoid running around trying to decide which one to shoot next.
Your goal should be to get infant pictures.
On their own (this might or not include macro views of the infant, such as very tiny toes or eyelashes!).
Considering any siblings
Including Dad
Including Mum
Using both parents together
And his or her daily events (being fed, changed, cuddled, sleeping, etc.).
Furthermore, the little elements of the nursery—any prints, soft toys or objects meant to create the scene or have emotional worth.
You do want to experiment with variants of every set-up.
I would ask the parents to lie on the bed and just love and kiss their small bambino, therefore acting as a cue. (Remember, more than asking them to pose, lifestyle is more about providing some direction on what to do!).
I would first begin by snapping a picture of the wider area, including some of the surroundings, thereby revealing the master bedroom.
Then I'd approach closer so I'm just photographing the three subjects (no environment) and then go in close for a smaller detail maybe the ways the infant is clinging onto Dad's thumb.
Then, wherever I can, I roam about the subject, shooting from the front, the side, and occasionally from above looking down.
This will always produce a good range of pictures without requiring you to recall particular positions or scenes you wish to capture. (For me, this is the best aspect of lifestyle since it is more natural and organic!).
Newborn Image Inspiration
As we mentioned from the beginning, we are not posing the child but rather the adults will need some direction with lifestyle type images!
Here are some "prompts" you might offer to assist you produce some really excellent images:
Tell the parents to kiss and cuddle their bundle of delight while seated close together on the bed!
From both sides, ask parents to lie down with their newborn between them and shoot down on them.
Set the infant down in their crib or in the middle of their parents' bed and administer whole body, partial body, and facial only shots.
Ask a parent to nurse their infant (breast or bottle, whatever they are doing and what they are fine with) and snap a picture of parent looking down on their child, close-up, hand on breast or bottle, over parent's shoulder looking down on baby, parents smiling at each other.
Ask a parent to burp their infant; then, film from behind their back to get the face of their child.
Ask the parents to bath the infant and get angles from gazing down the baby, and the parent's faces.
Always remember to grab detail photos every time!
Lighting for baby pictures taken at home
The good news is that windows usually provide an incredible range of lighting choices for every house.
All you need for a stunning baby lifestyle shot is a window, which practically every single room will feature.
Look around the primary sites we previously discussed—the living room, master bedroom and nursery—find the window and arrange some of your pictures there.
Though you can get away with a smaller window if you are only photographing the child, ideally you want a huge window since it will let in lots of beautiful soft light. Just bring the infant closer to it if at all possible.
You also want to ensure that no direct sunlight is entering the window; this will provide a hard light that is not suitable for newborn photography. In such situation, you could soften the light by arranging some diffuser cloth in front of the window.
Where the finest light is for photography can determine the kind of images you will obtain in any area; if the master bedroom has the best light, then most of your shots can be set up in that room.
To get the greatest light, you might also have to rearrange things a little bit; for instance, bring the nursing chair nearer the window or draw back the curtains to allow more light in.
You should not hesitate, though, to shoot elsewhere as well! See if there are any rooms with lots of natural light and arrange some lifestyle photographs inside the property.
(For instance, why not snap some shots of tiny one bathing in the kitchen if it has great light and it's comfy to do so?)
Light and Angles for Newborn Photographers
Also keep in mind to vary how you illuminate your subject; thus, shoot from the front, side, and even behind!
I would advise photographing from the window at the side or at a 45 or 60 degree angle since images illuminated from the front sometimes appear somewhat flat and one-dimensional. This will provide your subjects some soft shadowing, therefore adding dimension and depth to the photograph.
The best lenses for newborn pictures
Since all the images are probably taken indoors, you can carry somewhat light for a monthly newborn pictures and avoid using a telephoto lens or anything else like that!
Three lenses you might wish to have on hand are:
A wide angle lens, say a 35mm,
These are ideal for confined areas and can also be used for the injections covering the full family or newborn black and white images with siblings. This can also be used for environmental pictures, like for the nursery if you wish to incorporate some of the surrounds.
Top advice for a content and calm session!
#1: Discuss with your customer what they wish to photograph.
Talking with your client about what they would love to remember about this time—alternatively have them complete a questionnaire—will help you to create a game plan for your family photoshoot with newborn session.
Perhaps they have certain things they would like to have photographed, including nursing or their priceless bundle lounging in a bath.
This helps you to include their thoughts and preferences into your session agenda.
#2: Ask for a tour ahead of the session—or at least at the beginning.
Ask your clients to meet in their house before the session; then, ask for a tour of the property to ascertain which rooms feature the best windows. (Keep in mind also the time of day you intend to be photography!).
Once more, this simply makes you ready when you get there!
Should you not have an in-person meeting prior to the session, just spend five minutes walking around the house looking for the finest places.
#3: arrive early and give yourself enough time.
A newborn family photoshoot session requires at least a solid hour, but I would advise allowing more than that—one and a half to two hours. Young babies often need changed, or will be wailing their heart out for a full thirty minutes for no good reason, all of which you might not want to capture (and if you want, just one or two shots will suffice!).
Let wriggle room in your calendar so you won't hurry; babies may sense your stress!
#4 - Take off your shoes and dress for comfort!
You will be there for some time, hence avoid anything tight! Also make sure to take your shoes off at the doors and wear socks since you will often find yourself standing on the bed or on a piece of furniture to get a view from above.
#5: Use our shooting frames or have a shot list with concepts.
Use a "flow" to your pictures to create little time fluctuation.
Though in a lifestyle session especially you won't always be able to obtain the photo precisely as you imagined, having an idea of what you want to capture will help you feel less anxious.
Why arrange a Newborn Photography Session at home?
Many, many times I have maintained that anyone can snap a picture with merely a camera or phone. You invest in me because I do considerably more than that. I am obviously not very flexible; it is me with five plates whirling in the air balancing my camera on the end of my nose and clicking the shutter with my toe. I watch, I anticipate, I use my time well, I create moments, I posture. I'm there to coordinate the magic I know lives in every family but can hide when it sees a camera. You are paying for far more than someone just clicking the shutter.
Before you even know it, I visited and learned so much about each of you. Dad is expected to be uneasy and not sure where he should gaze. Preempting when you suddenly felt like you sprouted a few additional limbs and unsure of what to do with his hands. Feeling her concern, I watch mum subtly changing her shirt to hide her rounder stomach. When I perceive that mum's anxiety is growing as the elder children work themselves up, either going crazy or defying directions, I have an inbuilt spidy sense that tinkles. She seems to be asking whether I have managed to catch anything. My job is to experience whatever you feel. Nothing I have seen or heard previously fits this.
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