My first newborn session. Please help me!
I had my first newborn session yesterday with a baby that was only 8 days old.
I think I captured a few good ones, but I feel like the wow-factor is missing. :scratch
Can anyone give me some opinions on how to improve these shots?
I wanted to try a darker background, but the baby didn`t want to go to sleep again. So I missed out on that one.
It is all up to the little one.
I used all natural light from a window. (NO FLASH. NO STROBES!!)
My lens was a 50 mm 1.8.
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I think I captured a few good ones, but I feel like the wow-factor is missing. :scratch
Can anyone give me some opinions on how to improve these shots?
I wanted to try a darker background, but the baby didn`t want to go to sleep again. So I missed out on that one.
It is all up to the little one.
I used all natural light from a window. (NO FLASH. NO STROBES!!)
My lens was a 50 mm 1.8.
1.
2.
3.
http://www.monicagarrett.com
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
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Kelly
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Thank you so much!
I was planning to bring props, and I had a few ideas. But since he woke up after the first photos, I didn`t have a chance to use any.
Maybe next time. His mom might want me back in a few days for more photos.
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
I would love to hear some more opinions on what I can do to improve.
The mother is satisfied with the photos, but I would love to learn and be prepared for my next session.
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
Check out this blog. It's pretty inspiring. Even their shots with no props, hats, etc are amazing.
http://www.kelleyryden.com/babyblog/
Yes, I guess that is how it is to work with newborns. A lot of waiting.. But it was a lot of fun!
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
Funny you say that Met, it is all natural light. I would be happy if you could tell me how to make them pop and not look flat....
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
Natural light is the only thing I use, I have studio lights, but I never use them. I don't even turn on my flash, I shoot with my 17-55mm 2.8 most of the time, but a 50mm 1.8 will do as well, it's just more challenging because it's fixed.
Find a window, the bigger the better and don't be afraid to move furniture around (I've had to rearrange rooms during two different sessions to get the right light). I sit with my back to the wall under the window and have the baby set up about 2 feet in front of me, perfect light assuming it's not a stormy day.
Your shots aren't horrible, but I think the flash takes away from what would be an AMAZING photograph. With babies it really is trial and error. And they really will do just about anything for you when they're sound asleep
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Ok, once again: I DID NOT USE FLASH! lol
I had exactly the same setup as you talk about. Infront of a window, all natural light. No strobes, no flash!!
I used 50mm 1.8.
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
::hides:: sorry
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Lol... no problem!
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm
Some folks say shooting newborns takes lots of time, patience etc. I tend to think it can go that way....or you can work REALLY REALLY fast and get a bunch of great stuff all in that teeny window you have where they are sleepy and floppy before they get hungry and fussy again. I have had both situations work out. Props and stuff that you can toss in and change out quickly can help.
For example, you have a few great shots of that same tummy pose sleeping..after you shoot those, try taking the end of the blanket up over the baby (obviously assuming the blanket is long enough, or use a second fluffy one if not) and pull it up over the baby, over his head so the his face is peek a boo-ing (is that a word?) out under it. Change the angle a little and you have a new shot, take a couple of those, then put the blanket back, and toss on a little bow with a tag with baby's name or that says something cute and generic like "our gift from God" or whatever. You can shoot that from a couple of angles, and a shot or two with the focus on the bow or tag are super cute too. All of that can be done pretty quick, since there's no moving of the little one, but you still have a great new set of shots, with little time or effort expended.
Thanks a lot for a lot of great ideas.
I did some shots of him when he was awake too.
Here is one example:
Canon 5D MARK II, Canon EOS 450D
Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L, Canon 18-55mm
Canon 50mm 1.8, Canon 75-300mm, Tokina 10-24mm, Sigma 18-200mm