I need some great baby ideas - DPChallenge Forums

10/16/2008 11:27:12 AM · #1

I have a photo shoot this weekend with a 1mo baby and the mother seems a little uncomfortable with a new photographer. Do you have any great photo ideas that I could use to inspire me some???

I don't know about any of you but over the course of time I just collect images I see all over the web and use them to inspire me. do you have any you might like to share?

Any thoughts, suggestions, or anything else would be very helpful to me..

Oh and she does not want me at her house so that is out of the question.

pamelasue

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/16/2008 11:30:14 AM · #2

so she wants all outside shots? no studio shots?

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/16/2008 12:06:27 PM · #3

Wonder why she doesn't want you at the house? Inside their own home the baby is comfortable and warm. It helps if they have a huge window (especially if it faces North as the sun never directly comes in a north facing window). With window light you don't even need to use flash, so that keeps the baby calm... plus there are no delays for recycle times. Just keep shooting because expressions are fleeting.

For ideas, this is studio style (my studio, my lights):

I just realized I don't have any "in home, window light" images online. But I also don't have any outdoor "baby" portraits (toddlers, yes, but not babies).

inshaala

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

10/16/2008 12:34:04 PM · #4

1 month old!! arg... well basically they are only good when supported in my experience. Parents in with the baby is a good idea to offer that support (floppy head syndrome comes to mind). Another good one to do is have the parents hold their hands out for the baby to grasp and just take that shot (no faces) similar idea with the parent's hands cradling the baby's feet. Scout the baby pics on here - there have been a few pretty good ones - this concept comes to mind as one you could use if it is sleeping when you get there:

Another one is to ask them to bring the baby's slippers/shoes and some of their own, and just place them together in a nice composition somewhere - some people like that kind of thing. It is the concept and not the shot of the baby there that counts :)

Tell them to bring props too - nothing worse than a baby without anything "personal" in the shot. Another thing we used to do (i recently finished working at a family studio which did baby shots btw) was to pile some towels up and get the parent to place the baby on it's front (if it can push up) as if it was resting on the edge of a pool and shoot from the same level over the top of the towels so you get a head and shoulder shot (and a soft place to do it).

Hope that helps in some way :)

10/16/2008 02:36:04 PM · #5

Originally posted by pamelasue:

so she wants all outside shots? no studio shots?

right.. I tried to get her to take some pictures of the nursery but she said that she wasn't ready to have us in her home yet. Which I understand but I just think it's a little crazy to take a 1 mo old out of the house for "outside" shots. But who am I to judge ya know???

pamelasue

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/16/2008 02:50:08 PM · #6

Originally posted by Dirt_Diver:

Originally posted by pamelasue:
so she wants all outside shots? no studio shots?

right.. I tried to get her to take some pictures of the nursery but she said that she wasn't ready to have us in her home yet. Which I understand but I just think it's a little crazy to take a 1 mo old out of the house for "outside" shots. But who am I to judge ya know???

pretty strange if you ask me ... have you asked her what types of shots she's hoping to have after this session? If she's not willing to let you into her home to do studio type shots, then she must have an idea of the type of outdoor images she wants ...

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/16/2008 03:16:39 PM · #7

Yes I have asked her, here is the email I sent then received then sent back...

Email from her to me:
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Joe, I am not sure how this works, it is new to me. I know we obviously need to set a date and time. If you can call me or e-mail me back so I'll know what to do in order to get things going.
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Email from me to her:
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I am not sure exactly where you live but if you have some locations in mind that would be perfect. If you don�t I can suggest any of the surrounding parks and recreational areas. We could also set something up in your backyard, front yard or even inside your house. One thing parents like to do is have some pictures of the baby�s room and just some of the things that the baby does on a regular basis.

The one month sessions are cute but babies sleep a lot at this stage. If you are comfortable about letting us setup in your home, we would like to put some of the pictures together and make the pictures very special to you and your family.
I figure we could spend some time at your house then swing over to a park or some where else if you would like too.
What are your thoughts on these ideas?
Also because 2 people are going to be in the photos, let�s try to get them to match each other as much as possible. This does not mean they have to wear the same thing but as long as outfits don�t clash it helps make the pictures that much more.
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Email from her to me:
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I have decided that we will just have the baby photographed Saturday...I do not feel comfortable yet for someone to set up in my home...besides the baby room is not finished yet anyway...do I need to bring a blanket for the baby to lay on...something like for him to propped up in like a bouncer seat? I really do not have a preference as to where the photos are taken...I live about two minutes away from Smiths Station High School...the closer the better.
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Email from me to her:
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Would you be willing to come to our house for some studio style shots?
As far as blankets and things, yes please bring anything and everything you can that you would like to have in the picture. I would also suggest bringing a few diapers, some outfits, socks, shoes, baby bath towels, hats, toys and whatever else you can come with.
If you would like to bring your bouncer by all means you are more than welcome too.
I am going to go out today and look for a good location for some pictures. I�m not real sure but the only thing that comes to mind right now is idle hour park. But I�ll let you know something by the E.O.D.
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TCGuru

Canon EOS-40D

10/16/2008 03:32:58 PM · #8

Take a look in

idnics port. I know she recently did a very small baby and a lot of them outdoors.

ETA: Here is one of hers:

If you happen to have a bean bag and baby's favorite blanket, bring it. It will come in handy. Also, shots like these:

usually go a looooong way :)

Message edited by author 2008-10-16 15:36:17.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

10/16/2008 03:42:33 PM · #9

Oh, I thought you wanted ideas on making babies...I just had to look.

Carry on.

De Sousa

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/16/2008 03:47:18 PM · #10

De Sousa

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

10/16/2008 03:55:39 PM · #11

If you can, just create this classic image with a gorilla's hand and a real baby.
Be careful not to harm any little child ;)

chunky

Canon EOS-20D

10/16/2008 04:08:07 PM · #12

Check out Karen Rubin's site. She has some really beautiful stuff.

~Ab

10/16/2008 04:16:29 PM · #13

Originally posted by De Sousa:

OMG LMAO...

hahaha How on earth did you get that?

10/16/2008 04:20:19 PM · #14

Originally posted by chunky:

Check out Karen Rubin's site. She has some really beautiful stuff.

~Ab

Great site thank you VERY much, I love her work

10/16/2008 04:20:55 PM · #15

Originally posted by TCGuru:

Take a look in idnics port. I know she recently did a very small baby and a lot of them outdoors.

ETA: Here is one of hers:

If you happen to have a bean bag and baby's favorite blanket, bring it. It will come in handy. Also, shots like these:

usually go a looooong way :)

Perfect thanks guys...

Sheryll

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/16/2008 05:49:58 PM · #16

This is newborn photography but check out www.our365.com You may be able to get some positioning techniques from it. Look at the our shop stuff as the items have some images in the examples but also check out webnursery. You can browse by location or hospital. I work at Adventist hospital in Portland Oregon if you'd like to look at some of those. Keep in mind though that all of these shots are done with a programmed point and shoot camera. They are also newborns so we have to consider infectious control so props are what the family has with them in most cases. With a good SLR and good lighting techniques you can do so much better than these shots but some of the positions are good.

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

10/16/2008 07:11:27 PM · #17

One from the archives if you want to involve the mother....

bazz.

Message edited by author 2008-10-16 19:29:46.

JenniferDavidGA

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

10/16/2008 07:22:55 PM · #18

Can you set your background up outside? I have done that before and it works well. I just put a tarp down first so my background does not get dirty.

As for the baby I boopy pillow works wonderful for posing a 1 month old. I have done a bunch of these sessions and that always seems to work the best. I have a yard of fabric that is furry that works great draped over the pillow. Also shots with baby in mom or dads arms works great too.

Also try and get her to wait to feed him/her till right before(easier said then done I know). That way they either fall right to sleep afterwards or are at least very content.

Here is a link to a few sets I have done with a baby that age.

//www.jennifergriffith.smugmug.com/gallery/2928345_d424n

//jennifergriffith.smugmug.com/gallery/3514870_57Ysu

Message edited by author 2008-10-16 19:25:42.