Days and weeks whiz by when you’ve got a baby in the house. And before you realize it, your baby is a month old. You can now differentiate between their cries for milk and a nap. This period is perfect for scheduling a 1 month baby photoshoot. In the years to come, these photographs are what you’ll keep coming back to. So, how do you get the best photos? Here are a few helpful tips.
Tips for a Perfect 1 Month Baby Photoshoot
Lay down the baby
A photoshoot can take time, and your baby needs to be comfortable throughout the session. Hence, focus on photographing your baby while they are lying down. Spread a soft, comfy blanket or a large cushion, and let your baby lie on the back with arms on either side. The tiny closed fists look very cute in photographs. Towards the second half of the baby 1 month photoshoot, you can hold the baby on your lap or in your arms and style a silhouette shot against a window.
Pick the right props
You need to pick smart props, rightly complementing the theme of your shoot without disengaging focus from your baby’s cuteness. Pick neutral-colored props and play with textures. For the baby 1 month photoshoot, you might also want to include props with sentimental value. You can also shoot with your baby lying down on a quilt crocheted by the little one’s grandmother.
Other ideas worth considering as props for your 1st month baby photoshoot include flower crowns, stuffed toys, and oversized clothes.
Make the setup cosy for your baby
If your baby is not comfortable, then there is no way you can capture them in their elements. Create a comfortable and cosy space for your baby to feel safe and secure. Usually, the warmth of the area and the softness of surfaces, such as the clothes, props, or texture where the baby is resting, will do the trick for you.
Use natural light
Set up your 1 month baby photoshoot beside a window or in an area with plenty of natural light. Using a flash is not a good idea. Set up the sheet or basket your baby will lie in such that the light from the window falls directly on it. If the light is too harsh, work with angles to make it fall on your baby from the side. A reflector can soften the light and give your photographs a more polished look.
Choose the correct camera settings
Babies are fussy models and cannot be expected to hold a pose. Hence, you need to be able to move quickly and capture sharp photographs. A shutter speed of at least 1/500 is ideal. Turn the aperture up and pick a high ISO with a f/5.6 aperture. The higher you go, the more blurred your background will be. That said, make sure your baby stays in focus.
There is no perfect shot when you’re photographing a baby. So, put your camera in a mode where you can take continuous shots.
Capture the little details
Every tiny detail about a baby is precious. Hence, set aside time during your 1st month baby photoshoot to take a few close-up pictures. A macro lens is accommodating here. Click photographs of your little one’s eyelashes, nose, belly buttons, fingers, and toes. Make sure your pictures highlight your baby’s eyes. Taking a close-up shot of the baby’s feet as you hold them is a beautiful way to capture parent-baby bonding.
Pick the right time
Early mornings and late evenings are ideal for a 1 month baby photoshoot session. The natural light is soft and well-suited for portrait photography at these hours. Avoid shooting in the afternoon as the sun, and the shadows it creates will be too strong.
You also need to consider your baby’s schedule. Make sure your baby has fed well before you start the shoot. This minimizes the chances of the little one becoming cranky. Just as adults, babies are most happy and satisfied after a good meal. Even so, be patient and keep aside plenty of spare time.
Involve the family
While your baby is the star of the photo shoot, make sure you take a few photographs with the whole family. Photographs of parents holding their babies in their arms make great memories. If your baby has older siblings, capture candid moments between the siblings.
Talk to your baby
It may feel weird talking to someone who doesn’t reply to your coochie coos, but this can help you get the most gorgeous photographs. If babies like the sounds they hear, they will tilt their heads towards the source. This looks charming on film.
Your baby may not talk back, but every word you say is heard. They don’t understand what’s being said, but the conversation soothes them. Make constant eye contact while talking to your baby to get photographs of the little one looking straight into the lens.
Besides talking, make funny faces and noises that you know your baby laughs at. This trick allows you to capture that loveliest of smiles.
Show proportion
Babies grow quickly and cannot be pictured in one particular size for long. Therefore, plan photographs that put your baby in proportion to other things to retain memories of their size. Close-up photographs of your baby’s feet beside yours can be a good idea.
Experiment with angles
When planning a 1 month baby photoshoot, you can experiment with multiple angles to find the perfect frame. Taking bird’s-eye-view photos emphasises the baby’s delicateness and creates depth. You can also try taking shots from your baby’s side to get different perspectives.
Posing your baby
A 1-month-old baby cannot support his head or hold himself up. The limited movements could work in your favour, allowing you to shoot in different poses your baby as you like. Here are a few poses you might want to try out.
Babe in a basket
Swaddling your baby in a soft blanket and putting them in a basket is a classic shot. It makes them feel secure and gives you more time to take pictures. Using different-sized baskets will help you stage the baby’s growth each month.
Tummy time
Putting your little one on their tummy is a cute pose for a baby 1-month photoshoot. Place your baby on a soft, stable, supportive surface and tuck the arms under the chest.
If you want to combine the “babe in a basket” look with “tummy time” styling, lay the basket on its side so that your baby appears half in and half out.
Summing it up
Of all the pictures you get from a baby photoshoot, 1 month photos will be some of the most special. Every parent loves taking photographs, and you can style this shoot at home. If you want to go a step further, hire a professional photographer. Look for a photographer willing to come home so your baby remains where they are most comfortable. Happy clicking!