How to take great pictures of your newborn
Getting the first shots of your precious little bundle of joy is something all parents do. Most families take cameras into the delivery room so that they can make sure to capture every single first moment.
The next thing that a lot of parents do is either higher a photographer to take professional shots for announcements or use photos they have taken themselves. We have always gone for the later option since professional photographers are out of our price range.
Here are some tips for creating the perfect shot of your newborn all on your own!
Baby's attitude
It might be a good idea to wait about a week before you decide to take the pictures. This way you will have a better idea of when baby will be happy and well rested. A lot of newborn shots include babies sleeping. You are going to want to make sure to schedule your photo shoot for when your baby has just been feed and is ready for a good nap. This will allow you to position baby without waking him.
The room's temperature
Before your start shooting your pictures you need to make sure to have all fans turned off and the temperature to a comfortable setting for baby. A drafty room will make baby less likely to sleep or possibly make her unhappy.
Of course, keep in mind the type of outfit your baby will be wearing. If they will have on a lot of clothing and blankets, you may need to turn the temperature down.
Baby's attire
The best thing to dress baby in is something solid. Try to avoid bold patterns as they may not mesh well with your background or lighting. Some of the cutest pictures I have seen have had either a simple white top or an adorable handmade hat.
Backdrop and lighting
Your backdrop should be something simple. Use a favorite blanket or even a diaper changing pad (solid or simple pattern).
Make sure to shoot the pictures in an area that has as much natural light as possible. By using natural light you will hopefully maintain the integrity of your pictures’ color. Flash could also startle or wake your baby.
Felicia Carter is the author of Go Graham Go, a parenting blog with advice, products and money saving tips. She has a three year old son and a newborn who came in early September. Connect with Felicia on Twitter.