How to Take Amazing Newborn Baby Photos

Photographing a newborn baby is one of a photographer's greatest joys. Newborns are small and sweet, and because they sleep most of the time, there are many quiet moments to capture. Good newborn photos take more than the right lighting and backdrop, though. The baby is the star of the show, and the first job is to keep them comfortable. Ideas worth trying include:

• The baby in a crib or bassinet, with a few simple props
• Close-ups of tiny feet and hands
• Portraits taken from above

Photographing someone so small can feel daunting, but it becomes easy once you are comfortable. Set up your shot and take pictures every few minutes until you capture the moment you want.

Newborns do not stay still for long, so be quick and ready. You may need several frames of the same pose before you get the one you love.

Take a lot of photos. Some babies are more cooperative than others, so do not be discouraged if the first attempt does not turn out well. It can take several tries before you have a photo worth sharing with family and friends.

Try different poses and angles. See what works best for the baby and for you. If one pose is not working, move on to another until everyone is happy.

Get your camera ready. If you use a digital camera, set it to manual mode so you can adjust the settings yourself as the light changes during the session.

Fill the Room With Soft Light

Pull back heavy drapes and turn off bright overhead lights. Even, gentle light is the most important ingredient in a calm newborn session. Natural light from a window is ideal, and lamps with soft, low-wattage bulbs can help. Avoid harsh fluorescent or LED lighting and strongly coloured light.

• If you are photographing at home, open the curtains so there are no heavy shadows on your subject.

Make Sure All Props Are Safe for Babies

• Every prop should be clean, soft and safe. Natural materials such as wood and cotton are a good choice.
• Be careful about what is on the floor and around the baby. Nothing sharp, small or unstable should be within reach.

If you use a blanket or rug, make sure it is not thin or slippery, that the texture is gentle on a baby's tender skin, and that there are no loose threads.

Candid Photos Often Beat Complicated Poses

Newborns can be unpredictable and hard to pose, but they are wonderfully expressive in their sleep. They will not always cooperate with your ideas, so take plenty of candid shots as they settle, stretch and yawn.

It is worth the patience: newborn photos are some of the most beautiful images you can take.

Your Baby Is the Star, Not a Prop

Many parents picture iconic shots, like a baby cradled in a parent's hands or wearing a tiny hat, and then discover that newborns do not always cooperate when dressed or posed. Your baby is the star of the show, so comfort and safety come first. If the baby is unsettled, pause for a feed or a diaper change, and lay them on a soft blanket rather than holding them upright, since newborns cannot yet support their own heads.

To keep things simple, choose a clean white background with nothing distracting. It keeps the focus on that little face and those tiny outfits.

Photographing a newborn should be fun. Natural light and a few safe props go a long way, and the best thing about these photos is that they are authentic and unique to your family.