Tuesday 19 September 2017

CAPTURED IN MEMORY

BABY PHOTOSHOOT

As new parents, one of the things we all mostly wish for is a good photoshoot for our tiny munchkins. But we just don't know how to go about it? Whom to ask about a good photographer, how to find out on our own, etc etc.

Recently we did a photoshoot for our little one in Mumbai and had a great time!! It was one of those big milestones for me, with Baby V turning 6 months old, and I really wanted to capture it. Since we did not do a newborn photoshoot for him, it was all the more important to capture the half year. Plus I  think the perfect time for baby photoshoot is either first 2 weeks of the baby's life, when they are mostly sleeping through the day and through the photoshoot as well :) or once they are ready to sit up, and hold themselves more steadily. But of course, its the parents call on when they think is the best time.

Here are some tips from our experience of baby photoshoot that might help you in planning yours:

1. Word of mouth: If you see any of your friends posting pics on social media of their baby's photoshoot, reach out to them and take inputs from them. They will mostly be very helpful in giving an unbiased review of the photographer. A positive word of mouth goes a long way.

2. Follow mom bloggers: Find out some mom bloggers on Instagram, as they would know the good photographers in their city. As a mom blogger, I saw a fellow mom bloggers's baby's photoshoot and contacted the photographer. Once you follow the photographer on Insta and see their work, you'll also get suggestions on following similar people. That's how you collect your data and then speak to them.

3. Studio vs home: Most popular photographers like Shipra & Amit, Anega etc charge a higher fee for coming to the family's home for the photoshoot. Although I feel going to their studio is much better, as they know the natural lighting is best at what time, which part of their home or studio is the cosiest, and they will have props that you mostly won't have at your home. If its an outdoor setting then they can suggest the best places nearby, like a beach, or a good park.

4. Recee: If the shoot is planned at your own home, let the photographer come a few days prior to the photoshoot to see what kind of equipments they will need to bring with them. This helps solve issues of miscommunication and expectation of space etc.

5. Research: You will need to check works of international photographers and Indian photographers to see what kind of style you like best, and whether your shortlisted photographer will be able to achieve that. Select and share pics that you really desire, and discuss with your photographer.

6. Average cost: A good photographer charges anything between Rs.15-50k, depending on the package. For a Rs.15k package they will mostly give 15-20 hi-res pics (after you shortlist from among 40-60 pics), the shoot will be for 3-4 hours in 3 different settings. For a Rs.35k package, they will give you 20-25 hi-res pics, the shoot will be for 4-5 hours, in 4 different settings, and they will also share a coffee table book with the chosen images.

7. Props: start discussing the baby's clothes and props required for the photoshoot with the photographer atlas 2-3 weeks in advance. Try to borrow some of this stuff from your friends. For Baby V's photoshoot we bought a bow-tie and tie from firstcry.com and borrowed stuffed toys from his friends

8. Keep baby's toys handy: During photoshoots, babies can get cranky with the big black camera staring at them constantly. Let them see their familiar toys once a while and feel comfortable.

9. Don't let the photographer rush you up: If you have the package for 3-4hrs, let the maximum pics be clicked when the baby is most fresh. They will genuinely come out better than when the baby is sleepy, hungry, wet or intimidated.

10. Extra pair of hands: Parents get so fuzzled with managing the baby, props, their own attires that having an extra set of hands is very helpful. Make sure this person (whether its a baby-sitter, or a friend, or an aunt) is familiar with the baby and can manage a cranky baby on their own.

All the best!

21 comments:

  1. These are all great tips! I remember being so frazzeled with all the desicion making. This will help new moms for sure.

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    1. Thank you Ophira! I hope the photoshoot we do for our lil one on his first birthday would be smoother :)

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  2. Oh point 9 is so important. A calm and composed photographer goes a long way in easing the strain of a non-compliant child. THis post is a wonderful compilation.

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    1. Thank you Manveen! Our photographer was in such a tearing hurry and did not let us enjoy the outdoor much.

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  3. Recently we did a photoshoot on occassion of baby's 1st birthday and trust me it was task to do.that. I should have considered shoot at home coz he did not like being photographed in outdoor and thus it was a big flop.

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    1. Thanks I will keep this in mind for his first birthday photoshoot :)

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  4. I'm so glad we have photographers who are friends, and have kids of their own. Familiarity and their willingness to understand babies are babies makes all the difference.

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    1. Wow that's lovely! I wish we knew some photographers who do baby photoshoot. Had to go with an unknown person.

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  5. Nice tips. I find outdoor photo shoots much better from an aesthetic point of view. Most local studio photos seem very stiff.

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    1. Hey Mala, same here! Outdoor just adds so much beauty to the pics naturally :) And babies look best in outdoor settings.

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  6. These are some really nice tips. I have not had a photo shoot for both my boys. But now I think I ll have one only when they are a little grown up so that they enjoy it.

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  7. Wonderful tips. Will definitely be helpful for new parents planning a shoot. We had a terrible time doing the photoshoot with our then 10 mo boy.


    Rashmi

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  8. These are super useful tips. I was planning to get a photoshoot done for my kids soon. Will keep all these pointers in mind.

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  9. THE topic in demand in today's age of pics,pics and pics! Great tips.

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  10. Awesome tips there, we didn't get a professional photo shoot done for our baby as we have a photographer at home but the kind of pics you get with a professional setting and different kinds of props is a level higher than that. Loved your post!

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  11. These are some great tips for new moms. I had one when my girls were small. Its time for another one.

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  12. Being a photographer, I advise my clients to follow these very steps before zeroing in on someone. Great post.

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  13. Such great tips! Am definitely bookmarking ! I wish i knew these before though :) better late than never

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  14. Oooh these are some lovely tips! Especially the fact that some of them can provide a coffee table book! I've been looking for the right time to get a photoshoot done with my little one

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  15. Wow youve put in so much research into this. I am sure new parents and families will find this superhelpful. It is really important that the photographer understand what it is like to be around small babies andkids

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  16. They're such amazing and practical tips. I especially loved the part about speaking to other parents about their experience. Not just about the photographer but what worked with the baby. Even though every baby is different, a little heads up about things that could go wrong will just help us be better prepared. :)

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