There are many tasks you can do that will help you get the best photo time from your newborn baby. Especially if it is going to be a professional sitting that allots you a short period of time.
Expert Tips for Taking Photos of Your Newborn Outside
Follow these tips in preparation and during the photo shoot to get the best from your newborn baby, every time.
The Day of the Shoot
The day (or even the night before if it’s an early appointment, or you want to catch the morning sunlight yourself) of the shoot you’ll want to do what you can to work your baby’s schedule to fit your needs. This means if the shoot is early, make sure to get your baby in bed a bit earlier than usual so they will arise in the earliest hours. You’ll need at least 2 hours of prep time to get settled in for a comfortable shoot. Organize your time as such.
2 Hours Before Shoot
You’ll need to start proactively preparing your baby for the shoot. Considering you are working on your baby’s schedule and not the other way around, begin the 2 hours by giving the baby their feeding. Try to cut down on outside distractions so that the baby eats consistently, moving the feeding period itself along. Hopefully any usual spit up sessions following feedings will be well over by the time you dress your baby.
Once the baby has eaten, you will be waiting for the ‘poopy diaper’ that you often get just after a newborns meal. For now, you do want it to happen asap, since you’ll want to move along in your schedule. Do what you want to in this time; get yourself ready, play with and stimulate your baby’s senses and in general, give your baby around an hour to do their business.
Once your baby fills that diaper, or even if they don’t, go ahead and get them bathed up and ready for primping. Try to keep the bath short and to the point. Letting a newborn lay around in warm water for too long will absolutely hasten sleep.
Locations
Choose your location as one that has the least amount of distractions. Even a newborn baby can become either distracted or overstimulated creating a photoshoot environment only good for sad photos. Make sure to find a blanket or other ground covering if you place your baby near flowering bushes, trees or stumps or other organic nature. There can be a lot of bug activity in and around them. Always remember to keep that newborn skin protected from the sun. If you are doing the photography yourself, feel free to play around with the lighting during different times of the day. Most home photogs find that late afternoon light provides the most clarity.
Don’t be too stuck in your own ideas. Try different poses than what are usual and see what you get. Don’t be afraid though, whether professional shoot or personal one, to give up if the baby becomes agitated. Most professional photographers will understand and reschedule, and you have all the personal photoshoot time with your baby that you want!
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