Thursday, August 18, 2011

Quick Tips for Photographing Newborns with Rebecca from Simple As That {Giveaway}

I know this blogger needs no introduction, but I feel really blessed to "know" her..as in "I know you because I am an avid follower of your blog and have been for years" kind of  "know".  She is amazing, her photography is amazing, and she came by today to share some great tips to photographing your newborn! (Did I mention she has 4 cute kids and lives on the island of Statia while her husband finishes up school?..yep...amazing.)  Please welcome the ever AMAZING Rebecca from Simple As That:

Baby’s First Photos:

Quick Tips for Photographing Newborns + a Giveaway
 
Hey there everyone! It’s Rebecca Cooper from simple as that and I’m super excited to be here at Kiki Creates for baby week! I sure love babies and I especially love taking pictures of the little cuties, so today, I thought I’d share a few quick tips to help for capturing beautiful photos of the newborn in your life.
 
{QUICK TIP} I haven't been in a delivery room yet that had ideal lighting conditions for taking photos, so if your pictures come out with a strange color cast to them simply change them to black and white and voila! Nothing to worry about!
 
When welcoming baby into the world nothing is quite so special as capturing those first few moments of their precious life on camera. When packing that camera in your hospital bag make sure you also pack a charged battery + a backup just in case.  Don’t forget your memory card and maybe an extra one in case you get a little camera happy and also take the time to jot down a quick list of photos you’d like taken during your hospital stay. If you’re going to be the one in front of the camera make sure you give the camera person a quick how-to on using the camera, where to find the extra battery and memory cards and that they know what photos you want taken.
 
 
Don’t forget to capture some of the very first interactions when siblings and other family members are first introduced to baby. Don’t worry about eye contact with the camera, the interaction between your loved ones and baby is what you really want to capture.
 
When it's time to come home and get settled into a new routine with your bundle of joy, don't forget to take photos of the regular, everyday things that are unique to having a newborn in your home. So much changes when a new baby is brought home and this unique time in life passes so quickly. Taking the time to capture some of the little details that make up life with a newborn can bring back memories of this precious time years down the road. Sleepy afternoons, bottle feedings, piles of little baby laundry, newborn diapers, binky's and late night snuggles.
 
{QUICK TIP} If baby is too cold, try placing a heating blanket underneath the white sheet to help keep him/her nice and warm. Do not leave baby on heating pad unattended.
 
As important as those little details and candid moments are to capture, a planned photoshoot with your newborn can be fun too! Taking posed photos of your newborn when they're brand new is ideal. After the two week mark it can be trickier to capture these types of shots. You don't need much to capture a photo like the one pictured above. Simply grab a large cushion off your couch, place it on the floor a few feet in front of a large window or doorway where you have ample light. Cover the cushion with a plain white sheet and when you have baby asleep lay them on the cushion, diaper on. Make sure someone is close by to help you in case baby decides to roll. Position yourself directly above baby (you may need a stool) and snap away. Watch your angle so you can hide baby's diaper.
 
 
Armed with these quick tips I know you'll be well on your way to capturing some darling photos of your precious newborn! Thanks so much for having me Kiki and congratulations on your new little one!
 
Rebecca
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
 
For more tips on capturing photos of the newborn, toddler and older child in  your life check out Rebecca's latest eBook from Ella Publishing:
 
Don't Say Cheese! How to capture great, natural photos of your child.
 


Isn't she amazing?!  Rebecca has been kind enough to offer up one copy of her new e-book in a giveaway!

To enter the giveaway simply:

1-become a follower of Kiki Creates and "like" my facebook page (both on sidebar)
2-become a follower of Simple As That and "like" her facebook page

For an extra entry:
3-Leave a comment letting me know your favorite photo props (clothing, furniture, location) that you have used or are dying to use! (and leave a link...I am on the hunt for some super cute BOY things!)

Giveaway will end in one week on Thursday, August 24th at 9pm PST.

And as an ADDED BONUS ...readers of Kiki Creates can order Rebecca's new e-book "Don't Say Cheese" and can get a  10% discount by using the code GORGONZOLA at checkout until September 1st!

28 comments:

diana said...

Wow, I'm the first commenter! I follow KiKi Creates in Google Friend Connect and I "like" your facebook page.

diana said...

My favorite photo prop depends on who I am photographing. For whole families, I like to make sure I get a close-up of everyone hands or feet (not really a prop, but so sweet). For couples, I often have them sit a picnic blanket or a book to read together. For little ones, I like for them to be playing on something (slides, wagon, swing) or be holding something special to them (blanket, favorite bear, etc).

diana said...

I am also now following Simple as That in Google Friend Connect and I "liked" her on facebook.

And congrats on the new baby, Kiki! Does this mean you are having a boy??

Whitney said...

I love giving a baby Christmas lights to 'play' with as a Christmas card idea.

Whitney said...

I follow Kiki Creates on Facebook and on the blog.

Whitney said...

I follow Simple as That too.

The Triplett Family said...

I liked you on facebook. :)

The Triplett Family said...

I started following following simple as that and "liked" her.

The Triplett Family said...

My favorite picture I've taken of my little boy was of him wrapped up in his blue hooded towel fresh out of the tub. It was just a close up of just his face- bright eyes, happy smile. I also had a baby blue fuzzy blanket that I used to take his newborn photos on. The blanket had "baby boy" written on it so I made sure that part was showing, turned out really cute. :)

Ellie said...

Following along. Thanks for the chance. Fav. prop to use (for my kids) are bubbles works every time.

Ira said...

I follow Kiki Creates on Facebook. My favorite photo props is clothing. Anything that pops, match, colorful will create really interesting things.

Ira said...

I like Kiki Creates on FB, My favorite Photo props is clothing. You can play dress up, choose colorful and with pattern materials!

Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life said...

I follow and like you!!!

Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life said...

And now I follow and like Simple as That!

Sarah @ This Crazy Blessed Life said...

And I REALLY want to take some of those really cool chalk pics & I'd love some with a big bunch of balloons!

Shannon said...

I liked "KiKi Creates" on Facebook. :)

Shannon said...

I already like "Simple As That" on facebook.

Shannon said...

My favorite picture has been any family picture that we take outside. I love the lighting and the amount of props to use are endless! I need to have one taken this year for our Christmas Cards :)

Camz said...

Something colorful, like a knitted hat! When taken against a plain white background, it creates beautiful contrasts and looks fantastic! Example: http://ny-image1.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.145107053.jpg

Mitchell4 said...

I like you on Facebook. :)

Mitchell4 said...

I like Simple as That on Facebook. Thanks for a great giveaway.

Mitchell4 said...

Props that were done recently for my boys and extended family were pinwheels. We were standing in front of a mural of a festival painting, cotton candy and all. It was fun.

bdaiss said...

Swings seem to be my favorite lately. Not really helpful for a newborn though. : )

bdaiss said...

And of course "likes" all around!

Tara said...

I'm a Kiki follower!

Tara said...

I've been DYING to use a hanging hammock, tooooo cute!

GretchenP said...

i follow kiki creates google & fb. thanks for the giveaway!! :)

GretchenP said...

i want to use balloons as a prop.. LOTS of them! :) thanks for the giveaway! :)