Documenting during a pandemic

This difficult time we are all currently experiencing is leaving many families without the opportunity of coming into my studio to capture the precious memories of their fresh bundle of joy. But this shouldn’t be a reason to not take some beautiful photos of your precious gift – and there are some easy steps you can take to make your everyday snaps look beautiful and timeless.

natural, unposed newborn photography is timeless and won’t date.

I have put together some easy pointers here for you to use to capture your own natural studio style photographs while you are not able to come in…

Firstly, when capturing your baby, I recommend wrapping or dressing them in plain white or neutral colours to leave the focus on baby. A beautiful and simple white bodysuit or classic bamboo swaddle will make for prefect attire. You can find some perfect pieces at Two Darlings – their Milk Bodysuit is divine!

Be sure to use the camera you feel most comfortable with. Of course a mirrorless or DSLR is best – but if you do not have access to such a camera a new model iPhone will also take some amazing photos!

light coloured clothing and minimal props/accessories keep the focus on baby

Set the scene by setting up your bassinet, Moses basket or bed with white or light coloured linen or blankets. Be sure to set up near a window and use natural light only – this will help enhance natural colour balance in your images. Set up parallel to the window and when shooting make sure your don't block the light by standing in front of the window.

Laying baby parallel to the natural light, if you have sheer curtains even better. If you don’t have a play but moving slightly further away from the light will help to keep the light soft.

Make sure you give Bub a nice big feed 30-40 minutes prior to the time you want to take your photos and have them already undressed (make sure you leave their nappy on – so you don’t get any surprises!!)

I find by keeping babies nappy on during the session it helps Bub to feel safe, warm and secure. Plus is there anything cuter than a newborn in their teeny tiny nappies.

I find it best to capture babies mid morning - often the light in your home will be the brightest… and later in the afternoon babies often become more unsettled and impatient. 

Don’t try and go overboard. You don't need to attempt crazy positions and swaddle tricks. My own style is natural and safe and it’s important to keep safety as your number one priority, If you are following me and my style chances are your not really into sticking your baby into a pot plant anyway but it’s important that I mention safety first; a simple basic swaddle will look classic and beautiful. Capture all those special little details; their tiny hands, wrinkly feet, luscious eye lashes… even their little bum dimples and chunky rolls! You will want to remember these details in the years to come.

Tiny toes, peach fluff hair, long eyelashes will all become a distant memory over the next few months so capture those special little details.

It’s great to do this as a family and make sure you as “proud” parents get in front of the camera too. Often the messy hair, bags under the eyes and imperfectly perfect photos become our favourites. Include your bub’s older siblings too if they have them! 

Safe and simple posing. When possible try to position baby in a way that both subjects faces can be captured. I love to capture connection over the perfect smiling portraits. Capture moments of you loving on your new addition.

You can finish off your styling by including a wooden name or milestone plaque. They are a beautiful, and physical time stamp for your images that will add that special touch. 

A happy snap of my own daughters milestone photos. These sweet wooden Knock Knock Wooden Toys plaque featured in her monthly milestone photos.

When you are taking photos… take HEAPS!!! Use the burst feature on your camera or phone – this way you will be sure to capture that perfect shot amongst the masses. The split second difference between a smile and a frown could make all the difference. Once you’re finished you can go through all the images frame by frame and choose the most special ones. 

Take a few photos of each scene, it’s all about telling the story of what this moment in time was like.

When you’re done and you’ve chosen the most special images, I suggest opting for a light edit. Most professional editing systems are quite expensive and tricky to use but there a tonnes of wonderful editing apps you can make simple adjustments to the exposure, contrast and shadows of your pictures. I suggest trying Lightroom mobile, Colourstory or VSCO. The difference between a professional photograph and an amateur photograph can sometimes be as simple as adjusting the light and some simple cropping. 

You want to keep skin tones natural. Don’t go overboard with the editing.

With all of this being said – it still might be very overwhelming. I am happy to help with any further advice if you need it, because it is a beautiful time to capture. Especially with everything else that is happening in the world at the moment. But don’t forget - all stages and ages of your baby are beautiful and if you can't have a newborn session with me, or create your own at this point in time you can invest in a “sitter” session or an outdoor family session later in the year (sitter sessions are best done around the 7-10 months of age). Their little personalities shine through even more at this stage. 

Stay safe, Love + Light,

Tahlia x