First baby shoot - help!..

[Arjay12345]

Hi

I've just committed to photographing one of my best friends new baby daughter - and I think I'm a bit nervous. I've taken pictures at many other events (though no paid jobs) and I'm confident about taking pictures, but the thought of living up to expectation (especially when you have to do some convincing in the first place that it will be 'fun' and productive) is taking a grip.

I only have a 50D, a lens, and a flash but no other gadgets like strobes, etc, and we'll be taking pics at their home. It's not going to be the full Venture setup by a long shot, but I'd like to come away with some similar shots, albeit with some post processing.

Any tips?

I also have two specific anxieties:
1) getting the couple to loosen up away from standard 'look into the camera shots' and help be part of the creative process; I really don't want it to be a stilted experience with me ordering when to "now do this.."

2) Having a catalogue of starter poses with me that help explore possibilities away from the standard couple standing next to each other holding baby looking at the camera.

Any comments on any of this?

Thanks
Arjay

[lputman]

I usually suggest doing an image search for the types of images that you plan on taking. There's great inspiration out there.

Here's one such seach... newborn with parents - Google Search

[becksjd]

Hi Arjay,

To maybe 'loosen' the parents up, why not get them to research types of photos they are wanting and talk and discuss with them how you all can achieve this. That way it is more of a "team" effort and they hopefully will be more conscious of how they need to work with the shot.

If you don't have the proper equipment, make sure you have lots of good light and maybe take pictures in their house before just to make sure the lighting is enough.

Print out some pictures you want to recreate and have them on a sheet for you to refer to as you take the photos.

Plan ahead and it should work out great.

Becky