Tips for photographing your newborn

Long before Lilly was born, I ran my own photography business and loved to photograph newborns. It took me a while to get the whole newborn thing down pat and now that I've had my own newborn, I can offer a few tips and tricks for getting that perfect photo!

#1 Prepare Your Camera

Whether you're using your mobile, a digital camera or am SLR, make sure you know how to use it! Before baby is born, take the time to learn how to use your camera using the manual modes. I use a Canon 7D Digital SLR camera and have spent many years perfecting the manual settings. I shoot my newborns using a 50mm 1.4 lens usually at around f2.8 to f1.8 depending on light. If you're using your phone or digital camera, turn the flash off! I promise your photographs will turn out much nicer.

#2 Happy Baby

Prepare your baby! Make sure they are well fed, had their nappy changed and are nice and warm. I use a space heater to make sure the space we are using is warm so that baby is comfortable and sleepy - this is really important. If the room is too cool, they will be very uncomfortable but take care not to face the heater directly onto the baby. If taking nakie photos, I make sure I loosen the nappy about an hour beforehand so that there aren't any creases on their skin. I also use a white noise app on my phone to remind the baby of the womb - it's very relaxing for all involved!

#3 Perfect Space

You want to take your photographs in a nice bright room, preferably near a big window or door. I have a newborn posing beanbag and backdrop stand which I use but these can both be made from everyday household objects. I used to use a beanbag that I firmed up using a rubber band underneath and a blanket draped over the back of two chairs. It also pays to have a quick clean up of anything in the background if you are aiming for more journalistic looking photographs.

While this photograph isn't perfect, it shows that a quick clean up of your area can make a world of difference. I also like to run a few actions over my photographs before I save them into my 'keep' folder on my computer.

#4 Keep it Simple

I prefer to use less props and focus more on the baby. I try to use neutral coloured blankets to drape over the beanbag so that the photographs will work in any room no matter what the colour scheme is. I also prefer simple, natural poses. I am starting to enjoy documentary styled newborn photographs more than posed ones. I also love the timeless look you get from black and white photographs, especially if your background is a bit cluttered or busy - it takes the focus away from that and back to the baby.

 #5 Play it Safe

Try to take your photographs when you have somebody around to help you. Always pose your baby safely and never leave the baby alone. A lot of fancy newborn photographs involve composite shots where the photographer takes two photographs and merges them together. Never hang a baby and always research those cute poses that look too easy to be true - they generally have hands Photoshopped out to keep the baby safe.

Documenting pregnancy and our new baby

Being a photographer, it means a whole lot to me to be able to photograph my journey into motherhood. I had so many great ideas (or maybe I borrowed a lot from Pinterest!) and I begun documenting them all as soon as I fell pregnant.

I also became a serial belly photographer! I sort of wish I had of taken these with my good camera but it's still good to have these to look back on - I can't believe how little my belly was for such a long time!

My one regret was not taking one last belly photo before my baby shower. I had planned to take one that morning but my hubby went out fishing and he was always the one that took the photos for me. I was also incredibly sick. If I had of known that Lilly would arrive the very next day, I would have sucked it up!

I had planned to start the series below the day Lilly was born but with her being in the nursery, we had to start at 1 month when she arrived home for the first time. I am loving how it's turning out though, I can't wait to finish it for her first birthday! I've been using magnetic letters from kmart for the words.

I also ordered some baby milestone cards. I put these on my baby shower wish list and had planned to order them if I didn't receive them at the shower. Lilly came the next day so I didn't get to start this project from the beginning either but I'm glad to have them and get started now - they are such a great idea! You can buy them from here.

Do you have a special photography series or project for your pregnancy or little one? I am going to start a photo a day series once my new Canon 6D arrives!

Lilly is smiling!

Lilly is smiling and it's just about the cutest thing I have EVER seen! She has been smiling for a few weeks now but she has just started this big toothless grins that absolutely melt my heart. My sleepy, cuddly newborn is slipping away and my crazy, babbling baby is approaching very quickly!

Lilly's newborn photos

The day after we brought Lilly home, I set up my props in her nursery and took her newborn photographs. Of course the little monkey decided she didn't want to sleep and was wide awake for the entire shoot. I love how her little personality is shining through though!! I think I'll set it up again soon though and get some of those cute squishy newborn goodness photographs.

Our Melbourne Babymoon

We recently got home from our Babymoon in Melbourne and had the most amazing time. I have been begging hubby to go for what seems like years so I was over the moon when he finally agreed. We spent 6 days there and the weather was just perfect! On the first day, we visited the aquarium and saw some penguins. The following day, we explored the city and checked out some of the amazing graffiti. We also found the Lindt chocolate restaurant...umm...yum!

Next, we visited Melbourne Zoo and absolutely loved it! My poor feet were aching so badly by the time we headed home but it was definitely worth it.

Next, we did some shopping at Harbour Town - we spent a small fortune on the baby! The bonds warehouse was having 40% off already marked down prices so we got all of the things in the bottom picture for about $50 - score! Hubby picked the gorgeous little rabbit as a special 'daddy' present and the little blue outfit will be perfect for her to wear when she meets our family for the first time.

The following day, we were booked into a tour to Phillip Island to see the Little Penguins. It was such an amazing day! We got to visit a little Australian Animal park, the chocolate factory and saw some beautiful sights along the way. It was the perfect way to end our holiday as the next day we wondered around the city again.

Documenting the bump - 21 weeks!

I've been taking lots of photos of my bump lately, even though it's still really little! Today I started taking some progression photographs but my little kitty decided she needed to be a part of them too - she's so cute!

I am now 21 weeks pregnant and I am finding that if I stand on my side, I actually look like I have a little belly haha. I am also just starting to feel like kicks - seriously the most amazing feeling in the world!

This week I also hit Trade Secret with Mum and my sisters. Mum got so many cute little bits and pieces for bub - my favourite is this gorgeous little jumpsuit. I think it will be her going home outfit with a long sleeved onesie underneath!