Infant photography — how to create magical shots

The most exciting moments for parents are the first cry, the baby's smile and the funny, special facial expressions of a person who just came into this world. Happy moms and dads want to capture all this for the family chronicle during the infant photography. In this case, to prepare everything for the event is not easy; you can not forget about the frequent sleep and wakefulness mixed with feedings. But if everything is calculated correctly, happy and tired parents will get touching shots that will last a lifetime.

A calm atmosphere, safety, and suitable props = a competently organized photo shoot. But there are a few «buts»: the baby cries, twists and is afraid of the flash. What to do in these cases and how not to go crazy, photographer and parents? Read the article below.

What is baby photography, and why is it important

Photography infant helps parents to preserve the happiness of their appearance in its purest form. Preserve the memory of touching moments — have time to shoot sleepy facial expressions, tiny hands, the feeling of coziness and warmth.

Babies up to 3 weeks change quickly — sleep replaces activity, mobility is developed, parents notice the first smile and demanding facial expressions. Therefore, there is not much time to organize and implement the plan.

Such photos are kept in albums and given to loved ones, and the story of the beginning of life wants to be revisited years later.

The ideal timing for newborn photography and when to photograph newborns

Infant photography is considered to be the period up to four weeks of age. Characteristically, during this interval, babies sleep more and are easy to place in natural poses in cocoons and baskets.

How to pick the right time:

• day 5-10 — best time for classic poses, when the baby is deeply asleep and easy to pose;

• day 11-20 — facial expressions and yawns appear, more wakefulness;

• 3-4 weeks — activity increases, which can be used to shoot with parents and more variety in the shots.

The earlier the shoot is scheduled, the more opportunities for classic shots. But even after day 20, you can get valuable shots if you consider the baby's rhythm and comfort.

Preparation for a baby photo shoot — how to make everything perfect from the first time

First, consider the details depending on where the photo shoot is planned. The setting, props and light — everything should be safe and comfortable. Only in this case will we be able to get newborn portraits from the first take without stress for the baby and its parents.

How to choose an environment in which your baby will feel comfortable

The photo shoot is not done without the parents present. As a photographer, you must make sure that mom and dad have time, they are not distracted by work, and no one is in a hurry. If you fuss or make a lot of noise, the baby will wake up, and no one will be bored or bothered to take pictures anymore. 

During the photo, turn off the flash and place the light so that it doesn't irritate the baby's eyes. And what to do with the place for the photo? You're not going to put the baby on a cold floor or throw him on the couch. Ask the parents to bring a warm blanket — often, they already have one. It should match the color and mood of the shots (the theme of the shoot).

Outside in the warm season, you can organize a photo shoot of babies with parents on a plaid, in a stroller or in their arms. Suitable for awake babies from 3-4 weeks old, if it is warm and there is no wind. The main thing is to find a quiet park or forest, and check the weather on the day of the shoot. Perhaps you should not stand near a stall with fast food or cotton candy — on the contrary, you can go down to the lake or river, take a picture near a lush lilac bush (any other flower) or just spread a plaid on a green lawn and invite the photographer.

Accessories that you can't do without at a newborn photo session

Some items make the process easier for the child and help the photographer to achieve the right atmosphere. You don't have to use everything you have on hand. A basic kit that will come in handy in a variety of situations:

It is not a fact that all the devices on the list will be useful during baby photography, to anticipate their possible necessity. Do not overload the scene — it is better to use fewer items, but only what is necessary.

How to organize the space for shooting and not harm the baby

The infant is particularly vulnerable in the first weeks of life as it gets used to sounds, smells and light. Neck muscles are not yet formed, thermoregulation is not yet stabilized, and the skin is very sensitive. Safety rules when photographing an infant:

• head and neck support;

• the optimal temperature is 24-26°C;

• remove unstable and rigid props;

• natural poses;

• disinfect the location and props.

A photo studio with professional backgrounds, light and props is needed only in case of staged shots in classic poses. But it will be a little more expensive than a home shoot.

Creative baby photography ideas that you'll want to revisit again and again

To make newborn portraits truly captivating, we recommend going beyond the standard approach and expanding the ideas. Adding details or unusually presenting simple things turns an ordinary photo shoot into a whole story. We suggest some basic ideas for a family album or sending to distant relatives to announce the addition to the family.

Classic newborn poses have amazing cuteness and yet are simple to realize:

1. The «lying on the tummy» pose is one of the most popular. The baby lies with legs tucked in and arms under the head. Staging in the frame is simple; you can add a plaid, the child sleeps peacefully, and the parents control nearby.

2. «Boho-cocoon» — the baby is wrapped in a plaid and laid in a soft basket, such a pose is especially effective in natural light.

3. The option «in the hands of parents» is good because against the background of parents, the baby looks even more touching and fragile. Besides, it is not unreasonable to capture the entire family for history.

Props help to emphasize the plot and make the photos unique. At the same time, the baby remains the protagonist.

What tools can be used:

Using these props changes the atmosphere of the photo shoot, and each photo is different. An example, a basket with a cozy blanket and some fall leaves, could be a great idea for an October photo session.

You don't need to think up anything super complicated, just prepare a wicker basket with a soft plaid in autumn shades and a bouquet of leaves for the background to emphasize the birth of a child in autumn.

Photos with older siblings will become a separate topic for memories at family gatherings — who was cranky, who was shy or afraid to touch for the first time. You can sit them next to each other, let them hold the baby in their arms under the control of an adult, or just catch a moment of tenderness — a kiss, a look, a touch. Pets harmoniously complement the family story: shots of a dog lying next to a baby or a cat sniffing the baby's foot look very touching.

Simple baby photography at home — professional results without a studio

Making family and quality infant photography is realistic without expensive equipment or professionally exposed light. On the contrary, bright, harsh light can scare the baby and disrupt the event. For a home photo shoot, we recommend choosing the optimal time of natural light and setting up the equipment that is available.

Phone and camera settings that will work

Even an ordinary smartphone can produce decent results. You need to set the basic parameters correctly:

• Portrait mode highlights the baby, making the background soft and blurred;

• ISO 100-400 setting will help to reduce noise and make the image cleaner;

• face focus is always a priority — to do this, you need to press your finger on the screen;

• enabled RAW format allows for more precise editing on the final image;

• continuous shooting helps you catch micro-emotions and the slightest movements.

These settings will work if you want to get shots where the baby is awake, active, spinning or blinking.

How to choose light at home — the secrets of natural lighting

Good light shapes the mood, doesn't distort skin tone and volume. Of course, Luminar Neo post-editing tools, such as the photo editor skin, can always help to correct the situation. But if you have the opportunity to work with light, there will be less post-editing. Soft daylight at the window is the best solution. White curtains or a sheet soften the harsh rays. Positioning sideways to the light creates a beautiful volume on the face. Do not use lamps and chandeliers — they can greatly distort the skin color and create «harsh» shadows.

Quick installation of a mini-studio from improvised means

There is always everything you need at home. See the potential in ordinary things. For the background, you can use a solid-colored bedspread draped over chairs or a sofa. For support, a twisted towel or pillows placed under the fabric will suffice to support the pose. For props, items such as crocheted hats, baskets, stuffed toys, and blankets will suffice. The mini studio can be assembled in 10 minutes and is ideal for a home baby photo shoot.

Editing tips for beginners: from raw photos to finished masterpieces

Corrections are needed more for exposure and white balance, reducing contrast and shadows, blurring the background, evening out the baby's skin color with photo lightener and final cropping.

Instead of using ready-made filters, it is better to manually adjust the parameters. You should be especially careful with «beauty filters» and excessive retouching — they can disrupt the tender atmosphere that surrounds newborn portraits.

Luminar Neo for editing baby photos

Luminar Neo is a photo editor with artificial intelligence that is ideal for processing baby portraits. Among the advantages are the following:

1. Easy to use for beginners and pros. Luminar Neo automatically recognizes your baby's face and skin, gently changes the color of the picture, shadows and lighting. You no longer need to manually process each area — the program itself will select the necessary areas.

2. Saves time on retouching. Instead of manual retouching, you can use ready-made AI tools: smoothing, blurring the background or removing unnecessary details.

3. There are ready-made color, light and contrast settings. Photo editing presets are suitable for baby photo shoots because they make it easy to choose a warm, soft tone for natural light shots or apply a pastel filter to enhance the cozy feeling.

Luminar Neo makes editing so easy that the final result is ready in minutes, handed over to the happy parents and a well-deserved fee.

Common mistakes in baby photography and how to avoid them

We are all human, and sometimes it is impossible to anticipate all problems. Mistakes can also be made at a newborn photo shoot, which include over-positioning and overexposure, incorrect lighting choices and disrupted rhythm of the shot and the baby's mood.

Signs of the negative effects of over-positioning and overexposure

Changing poses too often can cause prolonged crying, irritation and disruption of the shoot. The main signs are the baby wriggling, wrinkling, and furrowing his eyebrows. So plan for 2-3 poses at most per session, so the baby doesn't get tired at the beginning. Adjust to the baby's natural body positions. Build in a time of 60-90 minutes, including pauses for feeding and rocking.

Lighting mistakes that make a shot lose its magic

Light that is too harsh creates harsh shadows that you will have to edit later. Directing light into the child's face irritates it and distorts features beyond recognition. Using the built-in flash almost always results in ruined shots. To avoid this, you should:

• organize the shooting at the window;

• use a white cloth or reflector;

• the face is evenly illuminated.

The best time for good natural light is morning or early afternoon, when the light is soft and natural.

Influence the baby's mood and rhythm on the shoot

An infant is not a prop and is sensitive to sound, light, and temperature. Ignoring their condition leads to tense faces, tears and disruption of the shoot. To minimize negative experiences, it is recommended to start photographing after feeding, watch for signs of fatigue and pause. In some cases, it is better to stop or postpone the shoot rather than forcing the baby to endure.

Finally

Child photography is as much about technique as it is about sensitivity. With the right light, safe poses and good timing, images that feel warm and loving are created. Even the usual props, home natural light or colorization of black and white photography can produce results just as good as in the studio. Using Luminar Neo and minimizing photo filters at the end of the process can be a great help.

Baby photography isn't so much about technique as it is about safety and preparation for the event. By choosing the right light, safe poses and the right timing, you create shots that feel warm and loving. Even simple props, natural lighting at home or colorization of black and white photography can produce results as good as a studio setting. Using Luminar Neo and minimizing photo filters at the end of the process can be a great help. Remember: one calm, harmonious shot is more valuable than a dozen perfect shots in a hurry. This is the real magic of newborn portraits.