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A baby's first photos are taken even before he or she is born, and parents and grandparents can never have enough of their little bundle of joy. And as a new life begins, one thing is for certain, there will be moments captured for eternity in photographs of all sizes and moods. And why not begin this process of treasuring memories right at the beginning?
Innocence Captured
While the proud father usually does the honors of capturing the mother and baby in the afterglow of birth, a
keener eye and some professional lighting can capture the beauty of a newborn forever. That's why more often than not new parents hire a professional to capture their newborn in his or her baby glow.
But, not every photographer can take that special picture and that's why this segment of photography is developing into a niche career. The practical skills might be the same as those of any professional photographer, but a special disposition and the ability to treat a newborn as an individual are skills not easily found.
Newborn photography skills
Every photographer has a specialty, an interest or style that defines him. And some find their calling in newborn or infant photography. Infant and child portraiture is no joke, getting a perfect shot might take some time, and that's why it's important to keep shooting. You never know when everything will just click!
The angles are important too while photographing infants and with babies, and unusual angles or even focusing on body parts like fingers of feet bring to life the innocence only an infant can hold. It's also important to identify the moments that lend individualism to the infant that is being photographed. The way a newborn reacts to his or her mother is usually a good place to start.
There are also toys that amuse them, the peace in their sleep or simply the many firsts of a baby will do. Spending some time with a newborn does help a photographer identify these slowly developing traits of personality that will lend to define the perfect shot.
Going monochrome is always a fabulous way to bring out a babies best features. Their features are usually
better defined in black and white and they tend to give a newborn artistic and old world charm. Black and white photographs also soften the image and help in masking any marks or scars that a new born is likely to have.
Another thing to keep in mind is to use indirect lighting and to avoid direct flashes as this might startle the infant. Pictures of a surprised of scared newborn could come in hand for baby's first Halloween, but it might not be in the baby's best interest to be flash happy!
Another 'trick' so to speak is the innovative use of props. From a bucket to a flower, a costume or just a string of pearls, a simple prop can do wonders to a photograph. Even a parent maybe used as a prop, the way they hold a newborn as he or she sleeps in their arms. Remember newborns are not averse to posing for the camera and they might just surprise you by striking that perfect pose!
At the end of the day, capturing a newborn's innocence and personality is more than a skill. It is however, a satisfying venture and if you choose to make it your profession, the payoff always exceeds
expectations
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