Lauren is a newborn and family photographer in College Station, TX. Her mission is to capture special moments that tell a story and provide timeless memories. All of the images she creates are genuine, classic, and beautiful.
Why do you love newborn baby photography?
Newborn sessions are very special and unlike any other type of photography session. I love spending time with babies and capturing their sweet little features. My favorite aspect of newborn photography is being apart of celebrating new life and creating beautiful images for families to always cherish. Plus. cuddling with babies all day is fun!
Working with so young babies must be difficult! Tell me about the challenges with newborn photography.
I was initially very intimidated with newborn photography and my very first session did not go as planned. There was a time when I seriously considered avoiding newborn sessions entirely, but I loved photographing babies so much that I kept trying. I think the most challenging aspect of photographing newborns is that each baby is unique and can present many different challenges to work through, from overly sensitive skin to painful gas. I can only anticipate how a baby will do during the session from information the parents have told me about their eating and sleeping habits. I have to focus on their ques during the session and make sure they are always safe and comfortable. Some newborns will sleep through their entire session, while others will fight sleep and want to be frequently fed or soothed.
Being born certainly is a major life event. How do you capture those special moments and innocence of a newborn?
Babies are life’s greatest miracles and newborn portraits are such a beautiful way of celebrating new life. The dynamic between a family changes completely when a new baby is born, and it’s so wonderful to document those raw emotional moments. I think focusing on the smallest details of a newborn captures their innocence. I focus on their tiny fingers and toes, sweet long eyelashes, and tiny lips. Newborns will never be as small as they are at birth, and photographing them sweetly sleeping is one of the most precious images that I create.
What are some other photographic projects you enjoy working on?
In addition to photographing newborns, I also love focusing on families and children as they reach major milestones. Every once in a while I will photograph engagement portraits and wedding ceremonies, which are always new and fun for me.
What kind of a camera and lenses do you primarily use and how do you select your equipment?
My camera body is a Canon 5d Mark ii. My lenses are; Canon 50mm f/1.2, Canon 100mm f/2.8 macro, and Canon 135mm f/2. I primarily use my 50mm lens for shooting newborns, as I am close to the subject and need a wide angle lens. I also use the 100mm macro lens for detail shots of babies toes, fingers, lips, and eyelashes. I am a natural light photographer as I feel it is the most flattering light, so I always choose lenses with the ability to shoot at a 2.8 aperture or lower.
Can you name some tips for those who want to try to shoot beautiful new born baby photographs?
- Lighting: Place the baby close to a window to use natural light.
- Feeding: One of the most essential components of a successful newborn shoot is to make sure the baby is fed very well. Sometimes babies are snack eaters and require frequent breaks to feed – let them! Full bellies mean happy and sleepy babies.
- Temperature: Make sure the room you are shooting in is nice and warm, as babies can have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. Just remember to be very careful while using heaters near a newborn and always make sure they are not too close.
- Noise: Babies love white noise and most of the time it needs to be really loud for them to remain asleep as you mess with them to perfect a pose.
- Patience: Remember that babies are people too. They experience pain and irritation just like adults, and newborn photography requires lots of patience. Babies can sense their environment and a frustrated or anxious photographer will only worsen the problem. Take a break if the baby is not posing just the way you want them to and move onto something else.
Thanks Lauren for sharing your heartwarming baby photography!
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