Photographing Newborns Easily and Artistically

Amazing newborn photographs can be taken with any type of camera. Most images that I take of newborns could be done with a point-and-shoot camera as well as a more advanced manual-mode camera. The reason is simple. I use natural light. I will walk you through a simple newborn session with a point-and-shoot camera as well as a manual-mode camera.

Step 1: Pick a Location

Because new mothers are not thrilled with idea of an outing within the first week of their baby's life we often photograph in the hospital or in their own home. I prefer it because everything I use that will be touching the baby is either hospital clean, or washed in the same detergent as the baby's clothes. Whether in the hospital or in the home, the location area would be in front of the window, where even light is spilling in.

Step 2: Equipment and film

If your camera needs film, select one with a high speed or ISO. 800 speed film would be my choice. It soaks up light three times faster than 100 speed film. Other than your camera, the other items you'll need can be found within the room you will be working in. These common things can be used in your photographs:

• Pillow(s) - These will be used to prop up the baby, or lay the baby on. A Boppy Pillow is a c-shaped pillow made for holding a baby or for nursing. When covered with blankets the baby can be placed in the hole. This is strikingly the same size as a mother's womb.
  

• White sheets- I use these for background, as pillow covers or as light reflectors.

• Hospital t-shirt or onesie - I love the hospital T's. They generally will have the name of the hospital stamped on the front, and unless purchased (or stolen) they generally do not come home. If the parents prefer their child to be clothed, the simple look of a white or solid onesie will not take away from the fresh, new look of a newborn.
  
  

Step 3: Setting up the area

If there were a difficult step to this task, this would be it. Sometimes I have rolled a hospital bed closer or farther away from the window. Sometimes I have to roll the infant bed, or isolette, close to the window. Sometimes I have to move a chair or a couch two or three feet away from a window. The key is to find a window that light is coming in.

Film - Load your 800 speed film in the camera. Set your camera on auto. Take a test picture. If the flash comes on turn it off. It will not be needed.

Digital - Set your ISO or speed to 400 or 800 speed. There will be less "noise" or "grain" if you use 400 so if you have enough light, I prefer this setting. If not, use the 800 setting. If you know how to set a white balance, go ahead and do that. If you do not know either set your camera on "auto white balance" or "cloudy white balance." You could also refer to the article "White Balance" by Denise Gormish for help with this step.

Step 4: Posing the Newborn

Use a parent, or a sibling if he or she is able, to hold the baby. The baby will be most comfortable in a pose held by the parent. If the baby is sleeping let him or her continue to sleep. Chances are he/she will be awake by the end of the session. Try some of these ideas to pose a baby who is being held:

• Laying stomach down with the head in the parent's elbow
  
  
• Wrapped in a blanket and held tightly to the parent's chest
  
  
• Straddling a parents arm. The baby's back should be toward the parent's chest and the face towards the parent's hand. Lay the baby's face in the hand. The face should be toward the light. If the baby automatically turns his head, let him stay that way and trade places with the parent so the face is still towards the window.
  
  
  

• Let the newborns do as they would naturally do. Refrain from propping up infants in a sitting position, or from straightening their arms and legs. Let them go into a fetal position, keep them secure and close to something and they will look as soft and peaceful as they are.
  
  
  

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