How to take your own Newborn Photos | Seattle Newborn Photographer | Brooke Holliday Photography
The reality of what is happening now is that photographers are postponing and cancelling shoots because we are all trying to practice social distancing to help protect ourselves and others from COVID 19. That may leave some of you with shoots that can only take place during a certain period of time, like newborn babies, without your photographer to take your photos.
I am very much for social distancing and I can also feel your concern, sadness or frustration with missing out on that special photo shoot of your newborn. What I want to say is that all photos are important. No matter who took them or wether they were on a professional camera or camera phone. They will still have meaning now and one day in the future. What I want to share with you right now are some tips to make your personally shot photos look their best.
Wait until baby is relaxed
We all love a picture of a sleeping baby looking perfect and peaceful. You have to power to do your home photo shoot whenever you want and to take as much time as possible. Wait for your baby to be perfectly content and happy. If he or she falls asleep, bonus!, but if not that is ok too. The important part is that your baby is calm and content.
Point babies head at the light source
So what does that mean? If you are in your home I would recommend using a window, pull the curtains up and turn off your lights in the room. You can lay your baby on a bed, the floor with a blanket or in your arms. Where ever your window is point babies head at the window. This will cast a really nice shadow under the chin/nose and makes the light look really good. Do not point feet at the window or you will get a weird shadow above the nose that doesn’t look pleasing to the eye.
Photograph all the details
Make sure that you are getting different angles and close ups. You just have to tap into your own creativity and take your time to find the perfect shots.
Take pictures from above, the side and straight on.
Get in close and far away.
Use a tripod or take turns
Please get in the frame with your baby. You can easily get a tripod for your smart phone and set it up in selfie mode, set up the timer for 10 seconds so you can position yourself for your photos. You can also take turns with your partner or spouse taking pictures with your baby. Just be sure to face the light source like we were talking about above.
If you have found yourself in this situation with a cancelled newborn session please reach out to your photographer for questions on how to get quality DIY photos. They are a wealth of knowledge!