Baby Photography Checklist

[Lexie]

for an excited grandparent to be!!!

My daughter & son in law are expecting their first baby in May……..Our first grandchild. We found out in December that it’s a girl!!! We’re all very excited!! I’m off all summer and will be keeping her when mom goes back to work. So I have lots of time for pictures!!

So, I’ve been going through my checklist of things necessary for baby shots.
I have the 85mm f/1.2, 100mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses, several windows that offer plenty of light, and helpers to make sure she’s safe while I'm at the camera. I’ve read through several posts and see that some baby photographers use a large beanbag to pose the baby on. Don’t have one, but will find one soon. I have several blankets/fabrics, a few trenches/bowls, and my mom is knitting hats, headbands, etc.

What else do I need to remember, think of, pay attention to? She'll get lots of attention without the camera for sure!!!

[tropicpine]

YOU FORGOT THE BABY!!!!

Mazel Tov!

[janikphoto]

That's awesome news! If you want to shoot a baby, just remember to try the shoots at several different times of the day. You'll capture different moods, from happy to sleepy to hungry to crying. They all can be so wonderful to view and look back on. Concentrate on doing several short shoots throughout a week, not one big shoot.

[Cajungaltx]

Congrats! I love using a table to do baby shoots cause it makes it SO much easier with your camera on a tripod... ;-) That way you look like your down at the babies level, without all the work to get down to the babies level. ;-)

If you've got someone who can knit - get her to do some cocoons....here's one of my favs with a cocoon.

[Lexie]

Originally Posted by tropicpine

YOU FORGOT THE BABY!!!!

Mazel Tov!

Nope, didn't forget the baby. She's not due until May. I'm thinking about her!

Originally Posted by janikphoto

That's awesome news! If you want to shoot a baby, just remember to try the shoots at several different times of the day. You'll capture different moods, from happy to sleepy to hungry to crying. They all can be so wonderful to view and look back on. Concentrate on doing several short shoots throughout a week, not one big shoot.

Thanks. Yes, I figured it would be best to shoot several times throughout the week. I don't think one big shoot would produce the images that I'm looking for. Plus, I'll have her all summer!! No need to rush things!

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Congrats! I love using a table to do baby shoots cause it makes it SO much easier with your camera on a tripod... ;-) That way you look like your down at the babies level, without all the work to get down to the babies level. ;-)

If you've got someone who can knit - get her to do some cocoons....here's one of my favs with a cocoon.

Donna, I thought about using the dining room table. It sits in front of two windows on the north side. I agree it would be much easier at that level than me trying to scrunch down to the beanbag. I may still get one, but I like the table idea much better!!

Love the pic!! Too cute!! Just what I've been wanting to get. Where did you get this cocoon? I've been looking at patterns on-line, but have not purchased any yet. My mom is ready to start knitting NOW!

[Cajungaltx]

Because I shoot at the new mom's home - setting up at her table is always a huge blessing...I let them know in advance - make sure your kitchen or dining table is cleared off... ;-) It's easier on SO many fronts...;-)

The cocoon is actually a funny story - this little guys mom - lived next to a lady whose mother knit those for her... she never used them when HER babies were little...so she offered them to A's mom...who offered them to me to use... OH boy...

I contacted the grand mama - she's out of CA - and she's making them for me...for about $35/each... I bought stuff (knifty knitter, etc) to do my own...but my husband was like: Just buy them... don't get more crafts to do...you don't NEED more crafts to do... ;)

This is basically a big giant hat....18" long... ;-)

[Debbi]

Congrats! Becoming a grandparent is an awsome thing. You don't need a large beanbag. Pick up a jr. beanbag chair at Target. It's small enough to set up on a table. As everyone said, a table is much easier to work on. Also, I have found a boppie invaluable. You can really prop the baby up on their tummy and get some awsome close ups.

[mrsrice22]

^^ Was just going to suggest Target.


and, CONGRATS!!!!!

[Lexie]

Originally Posted by Cajungaltx

Because I shoot at the new mom's home - setting up at her table is always a huge blessing...I let them know in advance - make sure your kitchen or dining table is cleared off... ;-) It's easier on SO many fronts...;-)

The cocoon is actually a funny story - this little guys mom - lived next to a lady whose mother knit those for her... she never used them when HER babies were little...so she offered them to A's mom...who offered them to me to use... OH boy...

I contacted the grand mama - she's out of CA - and she's making them for me...for about $35/each... I bought stuff (knifty knitter, etc) to do my own...but my husband was like: Just buy them... don't get more crafts to do...you don't NEED more crafts to do... ;)

This is basically a big giant hat....18" long... ;-)

Thanks, Donna. I appreciate your help. I'm so glad I asked questions here before I went on a shopping run and bought the wrong items. Clearing the table will not be a problem!

Lucky you on the cocoon score! I've got to get patterns for my mom soon!! I've no time for any more crafty things! Knitting is not something I've had the time or patience for it. She does a wonderful job on knitting!

Originally Posted by Debbi

Congrats! Becoming a grandparent is an awsome thing. You don't need a large beanbag. Pick up a jr. beanbag chair at Target. It's small enough to set up on a table. As everyone said, a table is much easier to work on. Also, I have found a boppie invaluable. You can really prop the baby up on their tummy and get some awsome close ups.

I've not found any beanbag chairs yet. Guess I've been looking in the wrong places, but I'll find one before May I'm sure! Glad to know the jr. size is what I need to use on table tops though. I thought about the boppie, but decided not to get one. Rethinking that and have put it on my list. Thanks for helping!

[Debbi]

Check at Target on line. That is where I found the jr. size. This is the reason I love the boppie for infant portraits. She was two weeks old when these were taken, on a kitchen table. I could never get her to do this with a beanbag chair.

[Lexie]

Thanks, Debbi. I'll do that. Ok, showing my lack of boppie knowledge, but which one did you use here? I found some that are horseshoe shape and a solid (no opening) round/oval shape.

She's adorable!! Was this with ambient light?

[jkderby]

Don't forget patience and imagination.

[Debbi]

Originally Posted by Lexie

Thanks, Debbi. I'll do that. Ok, showing my lack of boppie knowledge, but which one did you use here? I found some that are horseshoe shape and a solid (no opening) round/oval shape.

She's adorable!! Was this with ambient light?

I have a horseshoe shaped boppie. No, this was done with a single, off camera flash in a soft box.

[sheribeari]

You would be amazed at what works for newborn pics.....
just took some of a new niece and had a blast!! A closet shelf is wonderful :)

[Lexie]

Thanks, Debbi. I was about to order one, but my daughter said she is putting that on her shower list. I'll just use hers! I also have a softbox w/flash off camera equipment.! The list is getting smaller!!

@jkderby Yes lots of patience and imagination will be needed too. I have lots of time. No rush.

@sheri They have built in shelves in the closets. Not sure there's enough room for me, camera, & softbox w/flash. Thanks for the thought though!