Newborn Photography: Ideal Cameras, Features and Best Tips

Newborn Photography: Ideal Cameras, Features and Best Tips

Newborn photography is a specialized type of photography and a lot in demand too. If the newborn is your own or belongs to a relative then surely you would click a lot of pictures. But if you are into this professionally then this can be a challenging situation. The need of lighting equipment would be less over here. This is because natural lights are to be used in most cases. In case of newborn photography what plays a major role is safety of the baby. 

Newborn photography scaled
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Newborn Photography 2
Source: Istock photo

Safety comes first and that’s the rule in Newborn photography

It would be tricky if you are a newbie, to keep the baby safe in the studio. The props that are kept around the baby should also be safe. The places where the babies are kept for posing should be clean and well sanitized. Parents of the newborn will definitely worry about the safety and comfort of the baby. But if you show your good side over here then you can surely go a long way.

The best newborn photographers in the world

Shanon Leigh who was a preschool teacher and then came into the field of newborn photography has a good name because she has an amazing talent to click attractive portraits of the little ones. You can check out her Instagram profile and find it for yourself. Then there’s another name called as Ana Brandt. She is a popular celebrity photographer. But she is also very good in newborn photography.

What features in cameras are good for newborn photography?

Newborn photography is quite close to the genre portrait photography. I said this because newborn babies are generally sleeping and such images are to be clicked. But mind well, you should develop the patience to wait when the baby has gone fussy for a few minutes. Newborns don’t run around and hence a fast camera is not necessary. 

Also, these little ones are to be photographed using natural lights and hence window lights would be enough. This means that the camera should be performing ell at high ISO levels. For indoor scenes there would be need for ISO 100. A full frame camera will give the best results. A 35mm or 50mm lens would be great at f/1.8. 

Turn on image stabilization and you will be able to work at low shutter speed as well. A camera between 12 megapixel and 20 megapixel would be enough for newborn photography. With the above discussion, you now know what should work for you. Here are a few cameras that are generally used by leading newborn photographers. Just have a look.

Know about best cameras for newborn photography

Sony Alpha A7 III

Sony Alpha A7 III is an awesome camera for newborn photography. This camera works well under low light conditions. It has image stabilization and quiet shutter. Whether you are parents of a newborn or a professional photographer, just keep in mind that Sony Alpha A7 III is one of the best deals because it is a good combination of price and features and it also uses 24.2MP full frame sensor.

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6 is an affordable camera that uses 24.5MP full frame sensor.  It works very well under low light conditions and gives excellent images. Equipped with in built stabilization, this camera really is power packed and a perfect option for professional photographers. The additional features include weather sealing, cost effective and light in weight.

Canon EOS R

Canon EOS R is a good gear for newborn photography. This is because it uses 30megapixel sensor and yet comes at a reasonable price. This is a hero in low light conditions. It comes with quiet shutter and is best at color reproduction. Many photographers have been using this model and therefore it’s a tried and tested option for newborn photography.

Nikon D5600

Nikon D5600 is a budget camera and uses 24.2 megapixel sensors! It is equipped with EXPEED 4 processor and is a good camera as it works under low light situations too. If you pair this camera with a brighter lens then there would be awesome results. It also has a 39 point autofocus.

So friends, I hope that when you are either a parent buying a new camera for baby photography or a photographer looking for professional photography career, the above information would have been useful for you. I would also like to share a few tips here for newborn photography.

Best tips for newborn photography so as to make the shoot successful

Before I head towards giving you a few tips for newborn photography I assume that you have read the above information well and hence I would remind you once again that safety comes first, come what may.  Also, since the photographs are to be taken in low light, there is no need for high end DSLR. A compact camera with basic features would be fine. As a photographer, you should have the dedication to bring out the best photos. So, I would suggest that you read this: best 5 characteristics of a great photo.

So, now here are a few tips for you.

  1. Let the newborn be comfortable, before you start taking the pictures. So, as a photographer you will have to give ample of time to the parents and the baby.
  2. Select the right timeframe for the newborn photography. This is because after 5-6 days of baby’s birth a lot of new expressions and poses would come up which are worth clicking.
  3.  Use best color combinations for the props and for the baby dressing. You can instruct the parents in regards to this. You can take their suggestions too.
  4. Use reflectors and window lights for the newborn. There is no need to include fancy lights as the photographs should be soft.
  5. Post processing of the photographs makes good amount of difference. So, if you are good at it the results would surely be awesome. I would suggest you go through this, post processing photography mistakes to get the best results!

Conclusion

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