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Handy tips and techniques for photographing your baby during lockdown.
05.06.20
I was recently contacted by one of my previous wedding clients who have been blessed with their first baby during this lockdown period.
Until lockdown eases and I can start photographing the newborn babies, I thought I would share some tips to help you capture some newborn shots of your baby whilst they are still tiny using your own smartphone!
Here is a handy guide using George the Giraffe to help get the best from your smartphone and share with family and friends whilst bubba is a few weeks old.
Note: I use an iPhone 11.
Set up
Consider the best time of day for your shoot. Choose a time either when baby is fed and in a wakeful, happy mood or fed and settled for sleeping images. Personally, I prefer baby to be asleep as most newborns do not yet have control over their eye muscles resulting in eyes looking in different directions.
Light
Finding the best light to photograph your baby is one of your top considerations. I recommend walking around your home using your hand and look to find even sunlight without highlights or shadows.
For example –
The lighting below left – Dappled/harsh light (left) would not be good.
On the right, diffused even light – perfect!
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Below is an example of even, diffused bedroom light for Baby William’s newborn shoot. There are no harsh light or extreme shadows.
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Next you need to consider your environment…
Heat
If you plan to have your baby undressed, consider warming the room so they are comfortable.
I tend to cover baby with a blanket in between shots to ensure they remain warm and ideally asleep.
Sound
Consider using a white noise app for sleeping babies so your movements do not wake them.
Position for baby
Always face your baby towards the light source. See the examples of my face below
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Whilst the 1st image isn’t terrible, when compared to the 2nd image, you can see the shadows under my eyes, nose and chin.
In the 2nd image, my under eye area is naturally brightened the lines around my mouth (sob) are filled slightly.
Surface
Prep something soft but firm for baby to lie on. I have used a bed, edge of a sofa, folded blankets and a thick blanket to name a few. A firm surface would work best so baby does not sink down, potentially missing vital features. Ensure plenty of space so that you have an unobstructed view. I would advise against lying baby on something high up and obviously never leave baby unattended.
Position
Once you have chosen your best lit area and surface you need to ensure you don’t block the light. The following layout will yield the best results.
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Using your smartphone
Now would be a good time to take a look at your mobile phone photo settings and become familiar with the options you can use.
On your smart phone I recommend using the ‘Portrait’ mode as much as possible (if you have it). Portrait mode is a term used to describe the artificial bokeh (BOH-kay) effect produced by smartphones. Bokeh is a photography effect where the subject of a picture is kept in focus while the background falls out of focus. By using portrait mode to create a bokeh effect, you can take dynamic photographs which look more professional.
Normally, blurring the background in an image is reserved for expensive lenses and cameras, so being able to do this with a smartphone is simply incredible.
Pro Tip: On some of the latest iPhones, you can actually adjust the blur strength after you’ve shot the photo. Simply tap ‘Edit’ in the Photos app on the photo, then drag the Depth slider beneath your photo – a lower ‘f-number’ designates more blur, and vice versa with a high number. See below screen recording video showing this example.
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Once the photo is taken click to edit the image
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Use the slider at the bottom to adjust the back ground blur
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Watch how the headboard and pillows blur more and then less as I adjust the slider.
- Once you are happy with the back ground save your image.
Other tips:
Use your phone in landscape position.
When using portrait mode, move the focus square to focus on whichever of baby’s features you are photographing.
Tapping on the screen will open the brightness levels which you can slide up and down to make your image lighter or darker.
Avoid shooting up the babies face so you see their nostrils. Always shoot down the baby’s face.
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Quick check before you proceed.
- Found a good location
- Good lighting
- Warm room
- White noise app
- Surface for baby to lay on
- Smartphone
Posing your baby.
If you know your baby does not like sleeping on their front/back/side – then avoid this. You want baby to be happy and content for their photos.
Where possible, I start by laying baby on their side. I will then use this one position to get several different key shots. Toes, hands, face. These little newborn details will change, so its lovely to capture them.
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Toes
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Hands
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Face
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Remember accessories are always a fun idea to create sweet images. Hats, blankets, teddies all work well.
Thank you so much for reading!
Feel free to share any images you take, I would love to see them!
I hope you found this guide useful, if you have queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I am happy to help answer any questions.
laura@laurashaw.co.uk
07875 732 344
If you would like to book a newborn shoot once lockdown has eased, I am offering 10% off any gallery package* purchased for all babies born after March 23rd 2020.
*First, Second or Third Package in the brochure linked below.
