I need Newborn tips and toddler help!!

[Nena2007]

I'm not sure if this is the right spot for this or not, but I need some help!!

I am taking some newborn pictures this weekend for a friend at her house. Any tips on posing the baby, how to get the best shots or anything would be GREATLY apprecaited!

Also, my son is at the age where he is walking, but still crawling quite a bit of the time. I just can't seem to get any good shots of him. He is always crawling away or turning his head. I always have a billion great shots of my daughter (shes 4) and none or just a few of him. Any ideas???

Thanks :)

[zerovision]

The infant in the mothers arms is always a good one. B&W also make for great shots. As for your son, you need something that gets his attention, a toy or something he is interested in. If someone else can assist with the item of importance while you shoot this may help.

Good luck.

[dive4fun]

Another crawling/walking tip is to CONTAIN them! Baskets, wagons, buckets, chairs, etc- anything that will give you a second to shoot! Newborns are best just going with the flow. If they are awake, do awake shots, if they are sleepy, do sleepy shots. Don't worry too much about posing them. Take macro shots of little feet, hands, lips and noses- they make great storyboards. Many newborns do not like to be naked- if they don't mind, naked nb shots are the best (hiding the obvious parts), but clothes are OK too if they fit tightly and don't bunch up. Be sure to include some shots of nb with both parents- on hands or them kissing it. I love NB photography! They can't get away from you and it is really much easier! Just be ready to spend up to 4 hours while they need soothing and feeding. Take your time and have fun!

[ronocnikral]

if it's newborn, sleeping is usually best. if you have some bare bum shots, just be aware of the pee or fecal discharge issue. also, there is typically very little stimuli to get the newborn to react to (why i suggest sleeping), so if you are trying to get him/her to react, have your eye to viewfinder all the times! might not hurt to get some micheals coupons and go pick up a basket or something.

also, if you are going to go bare bum, we have noticed placing your hand on the back or stomach with very light pressure helps to sooth most babies to sleep. they are used to being swadled, so if you can get them to sleep, posing them is much easier. as kay said, plan for some significant time. and make sure you arrive right after feeding time and when the baby is sleeping.

[andyz]

Here is one excellent thread. You can search and find others.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=57518

andyz added 4 Minutes and 37 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

"I always have a billion great shots of my daughter (shes 4) and none or just a few of him. Any ideas???"

Get some ideas from others shots here, but just take some shots.

My two boys are 3 years apart. Tons of photos of the oldest, far fewer of his brother. One day the youngest asked "why are there so few of me?" Great question. He has caught up now and since I have taken this hobby and his brother has moved out, the younger has more shots. But my wife and I felt guilty. It just happens that way, but don't lose these moments. Preserve them in bits and bytes and prints while you can.

[L Stegall]

Good ideas in the thread Andy linked (hadn't thought of a heating pad, but a space heater to warm the area where the baby will be also works). They definitely like to be warm if the clothing is coming off.

I also like to use my macro lens to get the tiny details - toes, fingers, eyelashes, etc. One of my favs is to get the baby gripping an adult's finger - it's such a sweet shot - I have one of my husband and our 6-day old granddaughter in my gallery.

[sbowen0823]

Love the heating pad idea!!! Will try that next time! Nena, I just saw the link for your senior session as well...I'm a newbie too, and thought it was really good!

[toverman]

How did the shoot go, Nena?