PHOTOGRAPHY
Newborn photography props for maximum cuteness overload.
Put the joy in bundle of joy with the right photoshoot props.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Put the joy in bundle of joy with the right photoshoot props.
You might argue that any photo of a newborn is precious. However, the right props can take a newborn photoshoot from precious to absolutely adorable. According to newborn photographer Alina Ricco, owner of Babybare Long Island Photography, “The quality of the props is very important because it can make or break the image.”
Read on for tips on how to compile the best items to enhance your newborn photos.
Images by Babybare Long Island Photography
According to Ricco, keeping the baby safe and comfortable during a shoot should always be the first priority. This comes into play not only when working with babies but also when picking out props. Beginners should take a workshop with a known newborn photographer before getting started as well as enrolling in a first aid and CPR course that covers infant care.
Once you’re ready to start looking for props, go with a vendor that’s already been vetted by other customers. “Choosing the right vendor is very important. I’ve chosen a few vendors that I work with, so I know the quality that I’m going to receive is outstanding,” says Ricco. “Mainly because I’ve seen the images and I can see the quality of the props in those images.”
A good vendor not only offers materials that look high-quality in photos but they should also provide materials that are free from unsafe chemicals and sturdy enough to support a newborn. “A good vendor will know what is safe and what is not safe — they should know how to choose secure baby baskets that won’t tip over,” says Ricco.
See if there are ways to show some family personality within your photoshoot, from a favourite colour to an heirloom toy. You may want to work in upcoming holidays in subtle ways as well. You can check out Adobe Color to put together colour palette swatches for inspiration. Lighter pastel colours or earth tones tend to look best with newborns.
Ricco likes to go the monochromatic route, choosing multiple shades of the same natural-looking hue. “I try to focus more on the organic, rustic look without too many objects in there, just to accentuate the baby,” says Ricco. “If the parents had requested blue, I would use a blue backdrop with a blue wrap with the blue headband.”
“I choose four to six different set-up per photoshoot,” says Ricco. “It’s usually something like four different backdrops, a newborn bed, a basket and a crate with differently co-ordinated colours that will appeal to the client.”
Here are some commonly used types of objects for newborn photos:
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
Posing pillows, posing fabrics and blankets can help to fill in beds and baskets and can keep the baby propped up and comfortable during the shoot.
Wooden containers like these that can hold the baby should always be properly weighted underneath so they don’t tip over.
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
Swaddles or knit wraps made of natural fabrics or crochet will look great and also keep the baby still and encourage them to sleep during your shoot — your best chance at getting a good shot is while they nap.
A soft toy can add personality to your shot as well as become a sentimental item. Photograph your child with the same stuffed animal over the course of their life for a fun series.
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
A little adornment on a newborn’s head helps dress them for the occasion. Nothing is cuter than a baby in a little cap with a tassel.
Keep the outfit on the baby simple and in matching colours to the other props when possible. Basic rompers in neutral colours work well and can be hidden by stretch wraps to match different backgrounds.
Image by Babybare Long Island Photography
If you’re just getting started or you’re going DIY with your own baby photos, be careful about which props you use. You might be tempted to stick the baby in something quirky like a basket or waggon, but newborns don’t sit still, so it could be dangerous.
“As a newbie, I would not use props like baskets or bowls, because babies have jerk reactions. They’ll throw their heads back and could tip over.”
Instead of hard wooden or metal objects look for softer props like pillows, blankets, baby accessories and wraps. If you don’t have anything around the house, try buying some matching items from a vendor. “Look through Etsy and stick to sets,” recommends Ricco. “A lot of newborn vendors sell sets: a piece of background fabric, a stretchy baby wrap and then a sleeping hat or something similar. I think that would be the best bet.”
Set everything up ahead of time and prepare a few different colour and style variations. If you’re shooting someone else’s newborn, ask them their favourite colours and see what you can gather in those hues. “I usually ask them for their two favourite colours and I do about three or four set-up,” says Ricco. “For example, I might do a beige set-up, a brown set-up and then two of their favourite colours.”
Lightroom can be a great application to start with once you have a batch of newborn photos to edit. Here are some helpful features:
After perfecting the overall look of your images in Lightroom, move into Photoshop to fine-tune the details.