Tips For Best Baby Portraits
One of the most surreal photography that anyone could possibly think of is Baby Portraits Photography. Photographers find themselves smiling at many instances and becoming a child themselves during such shoots. It is indeed true that photographing babies needs a lot of patience and time but nothing can equal their cherubic faces. This blog is all about how to excel in photographing babies, considering FotoZone has done innumerable photoshoots of babies and toddlers.
Pre PhotoShoot Requisites
Like any other photoshoot, Baby Portraits requires a lot of preparation. Remember that the subject you are shooting has no clue as to why there is so much fuss around her/him and she/ he is in fact given the celebrity status during the entire shoot.
Have a very detailed meeting with the parents and speak about the following aspects:
Dress Code | It is always better to be colour coordinated as a couple and with the new baby in hand this requirement is amplified. Also it would be wise to carry dark-coloured clothes when we shoot monochromes. It adds a highly dramatic feeling to it. Otherwise, pastel shades are recommended and distracting jewellery should be totally avoided. The mother should watch for her make up and accessories which has to be minimalistic. Emphasise on the fact that the photoshoot focuses around the emotion of the family
Best Time To Shoot | Check with the parents about the sleeping schedule of the baby. There must be a pattern that the parents would have already figured already. Get your shoot done during the active hours of the child to make the entire photoshoot lively
Props | While the photographers carry along highly interesting props for the shoot, nothing stops the parents from carrying their favourite props. What does your child play with often, or is there a gift from grandparents that you would love to have photographed with the baby or it could just be the nice little blanket that could add a lot of depth in the photograph
During Photo Shoot
Never Take A Break | If you thought we would start off by suggesting photography techniques you got it wrong. Baby Portraits is all about patience, instincts and understanding the difference between posing shots and lifestyle shots. Posing is when you are actually shooting the parents, although they try not to make it look posing enough, it is posing. Lifestyle shots are those that you will be able to capture when the parents are taking a break to either feed the child or to change the diapers. As a photographer, these are your happy moments. Therefore it is imperative that you never stop shooting during the entire session
Usage of Lights | Try to shoot in natural light as much as possible. Identify spaces and angles that allows natural lights but does not make the subject look flat. If you are shooting in a studio, use the props in a manner that it does not overpower the baby itself.
Watch Your Aperture | Wedding photographers love to shoot at f1.2 and 1.4. However for baby portraits, you will have better luck with your depth of field and sharpness by shooting around f2 to f2.2.
Go Candid | Be patient and wait for genuine smiles. Try talking and engaging with your subject from behind the lens or sitting down with your camera during playtime. After a while, babies and children – and even adults — will forget the camera and return to whatever they’re doing. You will capture some precious moments that encapsulate the spirit of your child and your family.
Go Macro | When the baby is asleep, go for your macro shots! Do close ups of the baby’s toes, little bits of hair on their shoulder, pouty lips, and ears. These shots are not just adorable but could make great album covers.
