I've been taking lots and lots of newborn pix the last few months. I'm excited to share some of my tricks to capturing great images.
Here are the 5 Items I can't shoot without...
1. Boppy Pillow - This is my favorite positioner. I use the Boppy for at least 5-10 different positions.
2. Binky - Enough said :)
3. Heating Pad - Heat is a necessity when taking newborn photos. I use the heating pad to warm up the blanket or prop I will be using next so that I never lay a baby on a cold prop or blanket.
4. Bag-O-Beans - I use this both under the prop blanket and on top of the babies while I'm positioning them. Babies love to be nice and toasty warm and the Bag-O-Beans works perfect.
5. Space Heater - I couldn't do a newborn session without a space heater. They are magic to get newborn to be nice and calm!!
Now let's talk about editing newborn images.
Below is my out of camera image. Her skin is not as creamy as what I see with my eyes. These SLR cameras are so sharp that they pick up the tiniest little nicks and scratches. No good. Here is how I fix and soften skin in PS.
First, open the image into PS and duplicate the background layer. The short cut is Command "J".
Next, add a Gaussian Blur filter found in your
"filter"-"blur"-"Gaussian blur" menu.
When adding the Gaussian Blur make it a little stronger than you think you'll need. The reason is that you can brush on the Gaussian Blur at a low opacity, but if you don't make it strong enough you can not increase the opacity more than 100% of what you originally made the filter.
Then, add a vector mask to the Gaussian Blur layer by clicking the "Add Vector Mask" button at the bottom of your layers palette.
Last step, Invert the Vector Mask (short cut is "Command I"). This will turn the Gaussian Blur Filter off. Then, use the "Brush Tool" to brush on the Gaussian Blur effect in the areas you would like to soften.
Final product...
Here are a few more images I took of her
sweet tiny little parts...
I hope this tip helps you on the pursuit
of newborn photo perfection!!
