experience

I had the fun of doing my first newborn photoshoot for a friend. If you ever going try this hope you get has lucky as I did and get a very sleepy and calm infant. Evan started off life almost comatose, once a sleep he stays a sleep. The biggest fuss I had was when Evan got the hiccups, was none too pleased by them!

After doing a lot of research, figured out what would be best to bring with me. Brought two very soft blankets, one basket (found at Winners), a neck pillow, a big flat square pillow and a drying rack (yep this was my solution to no bean bag, two racks stacked allowed me some height so baby wasn’t flat on the floor!). I also had an assistant which was my sister. Erica was a great help and has been doing research with me on what to do and what not to do.

I then scouted my friends house for the best source of light. It happened to be on the second floor near the stairs with a huge window nearby. Allowed for the perfect soft light and I didn’t have to use a flash. This was a big relief because I have a very small flash and it has been a bit of challenge to use (on my list to upgrade).

I learned a lot on this photoshoot, some as I went and some after the fact. I can see why photographers use a bean bag it does make it easier to pose for the head on hand shots. My solution of a fluffy pillow and neck brace worked but not as well as hoped.

I also need to remember to tuck tags in and remove price tags before shooting. Rookie mistake but thankfully it wasn’t hard to remove in Photoshop.

I am also still struggling with exposure when there is a super bright source of light behind subjects. Hope to learn spot metering at some point which should correct the issue.

I also need to remember where my light source is coming from and try maximize usage of it. Had a tendency to have my light source on Evan’s butt instead of head when he was in the basket. Just as a side note, my friend only wanted semi -nude photos so Evan has a diaper on. No big deal just did faux nudes where I shot from the waist up!

I also remembered to keep shooting. My friends favourite photos were what I would class as outtakes. Although these show Evan’s already developing personality. The other outtake was when Daddy thought his finger was outside of the frame.