Baby Photography Tips
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Loading... - Scot Lewis
- 11 Jul 2022
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Few things in life can be as rewarding as photographing babies- after coaxing an expression of cherubic joy - caught with a click.
Here are some easy steps you can follow to take the perfect portrait of the apple of your eye.
1. Click Away!
Babies are unpredictable so tears and tantrums are to be expected.
Don’t be afraid to keep the camera shooting rather than waiting for that perfect pose or moment because somewhere in 30 consecutive shots will be one winner.
Presuming you have a good amount of natural daylight, choose an ISO of 100-400 and use a wide aperture (f/2.8-f/8) for a shallow DOF (depth of field). Use continuous shooting mode on your camera to capture 2, 3, 4, or 5 photos in a couple of seconds.
2. Check the Lighting
For the best baby shots, photograph during the daytime when there is plenty of natural daylight. Natural light gives a soft focus look to the baby’s skin. Use window light if possible and avoid the harsh sun because it tends to casts shadows and is also unhealthy for the baby’s skin.
A standard lens of 50mm is ideal for this kind of image. Turn the mode dial to AV (Aperture Priority) mode, select a high ISO and a wide aperture. Let the camera choose the correct shutter speed.
Use an external flash (with a diffuser) to fill in any dark spots.
3. ‘Smile for me Baby’
When photographing babies, you may need to “ham it up” to elicit a reaction.
This can include making funny faces, playing hide and seek from behind a piece of cloth, or making goofy clucking noises.
There are so many ways you can coax a smile onto an infant’s lips.
Get “your better half” to coax that perfect expression, as you set up the shot.
You should work fast to capture the moment so choose a fast shutter speed of 1/500s or more, use a wide aperture (f/1.8-f/4) for a blurred background and shoot!
4. Simple Backgrounds
Simple baby shots are usually the best; there is no need for cluttered or overly bright backgrounds.
A great way to get a photo that looks professional is to get some white, grey or beige cloth and lay it over two chairs. Place the cloth near a large window with the baby on it with some toys. Turn the mode dial to AV (Aperture Priority) mode and select your desired aperture. Feel free to push the ISO up if the window light is not very bright.
Spot meter on the baby’s face and focus on the baby’s eyes. Read More…
