You’re pregnant and are planning for newborn photos. What do you do? First, start with the style. Next, plan a time within two weeks of the delivery. Then, look at clothing choices and possible accessories. The style you like will often give you indicators of what to wear.
When planning a newborn photo session, there are a few directions you can take with photographic style.
Photojournalist Style – This will capture your normal lifestyle and setting. Tidy up a bit and ask the photographer if they have a preference on what you wear. Don’t be surprised about wearing neutral tones.
Photo Studios – These photographers often have backdrops and tons of props. If the nursery is a specific color, be sure to suggest complementary colors or feel free to bring a few clothes, accessories or props from home. There is a lot of variety in these sessions so anything from black and white to bright and bold colors are viable options.
Other – This is for the photographers (kind of like me) who don’t completely fit in just one of the other two settings. These photographers have some props or accessories for the little ones, but they’re portable so they can come to you. They often allow time in each session to capture the natural reactions between the parents and child, while also taking a few posed photos.
When considering photographers, look at their website to see who has a style you like. Photographers are basically artists. They have a different eye and method of capturing memories. Just as some people like modern art and others like impressionism, one person will like one photographer’s work while another will choose a photographer with a completely different style. There’s not necessarily a wrong answer, just pick the style that you will love to see whenever you look at the baby pictures.
No matter what style you choose, always ask the photographer for guidance on how to prepare. You want to bring things that are useful so your session looks like the style you appreciated and wanted. They know what works best with their style to give you the product you’re hoping for.
Below are a few ideas that I personally love when taking newborn photos.
1. The nude, or nearly nude, baby. I want to take a moment to stress the “baby” part of this. I do not shoot photos of anyone in the buff unless they’re under a year old. This is a personal choice and style. There are plenty of photographers who offer this option and do it tastefully. I’ll happily refer people to another photographer who will do a better job of pleasing the client if this is a style they are looking for. All that said, bare babies are precious because newborn sessions are focused on capturing the baby during the first two weeks of its life. They came “au naturel” and these photos are super cute. It’s easy to cover anything private that they’d be ashamed to have friends see later in life.
2. Neutral or white colors. I really like having the whole family in white or neutral tones. This brings a lightness to the images and focuses the attention on faces and features. That said, dressing in black is also very common and can be incredibly attractive for the same reasons. This style helps keep the focus and eye on the main subject of the photograph.
3. The pop of color. Using a pop of color can really make a photo stand out. With a newborn session the colors can indicate gender (like the blue for the baby boy shown below) or can tie in the colors you’ve chosen for the nursery. Note: If you’re using grey in the nursery, ask your photographer for some black and white images that would blend in well. The photographer can adjust various levels to create a high-quality black and white photo that is difficult to replicate on your own.
I hope this helps you as you book your photographer and prepare for the newborn session.
Congrats on the exciting addition to your family!
I wish you the best and happiest of times with your little one as they grow!