Let me start by saying I am not a celebrity baby photographer – my images have not been published, sans for perhaps on their parent walls and refrigerators – (which is good enough for me) but one thing I DO posses, is a love for newborns and the art of baby photography.
I have never taken a posing workshop, online or in person, and though I have been lucky enough to have learned with another photographer who was learning as well (we made a good team… heh) I have had no instruction in baby posing, so these tips are strictly my own.
Posing is such a hot topic for newborn photographers these days- from celebrity photographers who dazzle us all with their insane posing and prop use to the starry-eyed beginner, people can’t help but continue to push limits and put babies in compromising (and sometimes unsafe) poses and situations. I have discussed posing on several boards with photographers who are starting out, wondering the best way to pose and handle baby on their upcoming shoot. Many times, I encourage new photographers to simply use the floor: a beanbag and other props can be alot to manage when first starting out – so many questions: how full do I make it? How do I prop up the baby? Help! The baby keeps sinking down into it! The point is, a beanbag, while an essential piece of a skilled prop-artists arsenal, is not necessary for newborn photos if you are just learning the art of newborn photography.
Because we are all visual learners, I wanted to share a few images I have taken that don’t utilize the beanbag and don’t call for intricate posing (although it is possible when you are ready for attempting that manuever.)
This is one of my favorite floor images.
I have several blankets layered on the floor itself for cushion, and there is a piece of fabric (found at any fabric store in a pattern you like) on top of the blankets. The fabric itself is a small piece, about a yard.
Baby is wrapped in a endless scarf – one I simply purchased at TJ MAXX. Yup. No fancy newborn prop here, I used what I have. (Don’t ever let the list of what you don’t have hold you back – as creatives, we are capable of making incredible things out of ordinary objects, out of what we have sitting right in front of us) Alright… so the the scarf is simply wrapped around baby, I turned the scarf at each end before wrapping again. Do not be afraid of wrapping baby snugly- remember how tightly they were curled in the womb merely a few days ago? Tuck ends underneath babies back or butt, for weight. The next step is SO important for a good image: look at babies hands and legs. Are there “bits” showing? Position legs so they are not. I like to cross babies legs and tuck them up upon their chest – as they will tolerate it. As always: NEVER force a baby into a pose they will not hold with gentle guidance. At this point I also like to check and be sure that fingers are in place, whether all curled or uncurled, and resting in a cute position.
Guess what? Now you’re free to shoot. You can stand up, stretch your legs (any newborn photog knows how hard it is on your legs and back) and shoot from above, not worrying about baby falling off of the beanbag or out of a dangerous pose. If baby kicks – they aren’t in danger of rolling off or straining their wrists or necks. You don’t need mom to spot or to clone out a set of hands. Best of all – you have a beautiful image to give to mom, and a touch more confidence in working with newborns, which, to those who may be starting out – is HUGE.
So – try it out! If you like what I am showing you here, I’d love to offer more advice on baby posing and techniques that I use. Again – I’m just a mom with a dream like most of you are. Not a big shot – but I have managed to stumble on some things that work. If you have questions or would like to show me your version of this shot – I’d love to see it!
And with that, I’m off to real life again, armed with a diet rockstar and some witty comebacks.
Show me what you got!
-Sarah
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