Newborn photography is one of the areas experiencing a surge in this era. Many people are taking photos of the newborns for posting on social platforms. Others are looking for a precious thing that will remind them about this moment forever.
With the rising demand, photographers are joining this niche. You will find both experienced and newbies posing as experts for shooting the best newborn photos. If you have an interest in this field as a photographer, you need to stand out from the rest. Hone your skills and avoid the following costly mistakes:
Forcing babies to have a particular pose
It is agreeable. Posing a newborn is a tough task. It requires you to be patient and understanding. The baby will not pose as you wish. Do not make the mistake of trying to force the newborn to pose in a particular way. Let the babies pose in their natural way.
Take their photos as they sleep, sitting, or playing. You will get smart snaps when you capture the newborn doing what they know best. So, avoid forcing a newborn to pose according to your wishes.
Poor lighting
Lighting is a central element in photography. Having enough amount of light results in smart and high-quality images. Many upcoming newborn photographers shoot images without regarding lighting and exposure. As you know, cameras have varying recording lighting differences.
Lighting is the backbone of your images. It is also the hardest thing to edit in a photo. You can find an array of photographic software for cropping, changing background, or removing red eyes. But no app or software that can deal with the light quality. So, do not make the mistake of capturing a newborn image in a location with poor lighting.
Failing to capture moments
Many photographers concentrate on capturing an image of a newborn in a stationary position. They fail to shoot photos at specific moments. Doing this is one of the killer mistakes. Despite having the best quality and lighting, your images will be boring. They will not inspire any emotion or mood to the view. Hence, it will lose the essence of photos – memories.
Avoid this mistake as a newborn photographer. Focus on capturing the baby’s moments. Shoot an image when the baby is asleep, smiling, breastfeeding, enjoying time with siblings, and any other moment worth capturing in a camera.
Delaying the photo session
No doubt, a child does not remain in the newborn state forever. They grow up and within no time cease to be newborns. For this reason, the newborn photography session should take place before the time elapse. This period is between 3 to 15 days.
Some photographer delays the session up to 45 days. At this time, the baby has moved over the newborn phase. They no longer sleep much of the time. Due to this aspect, it becomes hard to get the best captures.
As a newborn photographer, have a good schedule for the session. Do not delay it days or do it earlier than expected. With proper planning, you will make your client happy and enhance your opportunity for referrals as we as a future job.
Ignoring engaging your client before the session
Any successful newborn photography session calls for proper engagement. You need to meet with the client before D-day. The meeting helps you to organize everything about the session. Also, it is an opportunity to explain what you expect from them. This meeting is crucial particularly when the client is a first-time mother.
Many newborn photographers make the mistake of ambushing their clients. They never organize an engagement meeting. All they see is an opportunity to make some coins. Since you are strangers, getting the right captures can be an issue. The client does not know what to expect from you or their role to make the session successful.
As such, there is a high chance of disappointment. Do not commit the same mistake. Always organize a meetup with your client before the actual photo session. This way, you will avoid the issues that can hurt your career in photography.
Lacking basic knowledge in newborn photography
Newborn photography is a different niche in your field. Just because you are a photographer, it does not mean you can take newborn photos. This special field requires knowledge on how to handle newborns. You need to learn the basics of succeeding in a newborn photo session.
Even if you have been in the photography industry for years, do not think you are an expert in everything. Try to equip yourself with newborn photography skills before accepting to take that job. Otherwise, you can hurt your career by engaging in a field that you have no experience.
Taking sleeping baby photos only
Many photographers believe that the only time to take a picture of a newborn is when they are asleep. No doubt, it is easy to capture newborns’ images when they are asleep. Some babies are alert and restless requiring you to take their picture when they fall asleep. However, photos of a baby when awake are inspiring. These photos create a touching and emotional feeling to the child’s parent.
Also, they express some happy mood. You can consider capturing a photo of the parent playing with their newborn. Such photos will have a living memory and act as a reminder of the strong bond between the kid and mother. So, a sleeping baby is not always the best candidates for newborn photos.
Wrapping up
In summary, a newborn photography session is a crucial moment for every parent and their kid. A photo of the few days old baby acts as a reminder of the child’s growth and development. Also, it helps the two to remember the journey traveled which enhances their bond.
For this reason, every newborn photographer should make it the best experience. Avoid any mistake that can ruin the session. So, if you get the contract to take up the session, you should put everything in order and prepare for the day effectively. Ensure you do not commit the above mistakes as they can have a permanent dent in your career.
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