Baby Portraiture
It was my first time taking baby portrait and I'm quite satisfied with it. Prior to the photography session, I was actually quite nervous as I personally have difficulties handling babies and little kids. I find babies very fragile and I do not really dare to touch them. As for little kids, I'm not sure if I have the energy and patience to keep up with them.
So how did I land myself in a baby portrait session in the first place? It all started with my wife's ex-classmate asking if she takes baby portraits. My wife is not really into portraiture and recommended me instead. I did wedding shoots, fashion shoots, etc but never baby portraiture. After much consideration on my own and persuasion from my wife, I decided to take up the challenge.
Did some research and reading up, I prepared myself for the shoot. We have always known as a matter of fact in photography that we have to make our subject comfortable with us throughout the whole shoot, it is even more so for babies. When I first approached Sophie with my camera, she cried. Oh no! Failed first attempt. But slowly with her mother's assurance and my wife's company, she slowly accepted my presence. First barrier cleared.
Next came the tricky part, the lighting. Although it was stated in photography books that flash is permitted in baby portraiture, I personally do not want to pop a flash directly in the baby's fragile eyes. I have ordered an external flash with soft box set-up but it couldn't reach me on time for this shoot. So natural lighting was the one and only option (plus a reflector). During the shoot, I had an hour plus of good natural lighting. It was sunny. But after that, the rain clouds came and it started raining. I couldn't really continue due to the poor lighting. Baby Sophie was also getting tired after having her milk. She was dozing off comfortably when her mummy put her on the bed. Time for me to end the photography session.
I must say it was a very good learning experience for me. I would like to thank Jennifer and her family for giving me the opportunity to work with baby Sophie. Guess I'm much more confident in taking up baby portraiture now.
So how did I land myself in a baby portrait session in the first place? It all started with my wife's ex-classmate asking if she takes baby portraits. My wife is not really into portraiture and recommended me instead. I did wedding shoots, fashion shoots, etc but never baby portraiture. After much consideration on my own and persuasion from my wife, I decided to take up the challenge.
Did some research and reading up, I prepared myself for the shoot. We have always known as a matter of fact in photography that we have to make our subject comfortable with us throughout the whole shoot, it is even more so for babies. When I first approached Sophie with my camera, she cried. Oh no! Failed first attempt. But slowly with her mother's assurance and my wife's company, she slowly accepted my presence. First barrier cleared.
Next came the tricky part, the lighting. Although it was stated in photography books that flash is permitted in baby portraiture, I personally do not want to pop a flash directly in the baby's fragile eyes. I have ordered an external flash with soft box set-up but it couldn't reach me on time for this shoot. So natural lighting was the one and only option (plus a reflector). During the shoot, I had an hour plus of good natural lighting. It was sunny. But after that, the rain clouds came and it started raining. I couldn't really continue due to the poor lighting. Baby Sophie was also getting tired after having her milk. She was dozing off comfortably when her mummy put her on the bed. Time for me to end the photography session.
I must say it was a very good learning experience for me. I would like to thank Jennifer and her family for giving me the opportunity to work with baby Sophie. Guess I'm much more confident in taking up baby portraiture now.
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