This week, one of my darling students texted me and said that someone asked her to take pictures of their newborn baby, and she agreed. Poor thing was SO nervous, so I had the privilege of coaching her through it.  Afterward, I thought to myself, “Hm.  I’m about to have a newborn.  I should probably start planning KatieAnn’s newborn shoot too!”

Most of you know that I’m a high school and online photography teacher.  I love to teach more than anything, so that’s why I’m sharing this step-by-step tutorial for you to follow along if you’d like.  Newborn photography can be quite expensive, and if you’re a DIY’er or want loads of professional looking pictures of your little one, but don’t have the funds to schedule a shoot every month, this tutorial may be for you.

This tutorial is a little…different.  I’ll be documenting my process from planning to the post processing.  (this is a good place to mention that KatieAnn isn’t even born yet!) She could be born any day now or two weeks from now, so if you’re looking for a quick and finished tutorial, this may not be your cup o’tea.

But if it is, great!  Feel free to use my exact plans or create your own (I don’t think your baby boys would appreciate a pink tutu in his portraits anyway).  Photoshoot planning like this can be used for newborn, toddler, and babies of all ages, so don’t think that just because I’m planning a newborn shoot that you can’t plan your very own toddler shoot!  You definitely can! Oh, and if your baby is still belly bound, start planning anyway!  It’s never too early to get the ball rolling (and in my case, never too late!) So if you’re ready to join in, here’s…

STEP 1: 

(1-2 hours)

• Online research.  Google things like “creative newborn photography” and look at the thousands of pictures that pop up.
• Create a new folder on your computer’s desktop and label it “photography inspiration”.
• Save all of the pictures that inspire you in this folder.  (Remember, the pictures you copy are property of wonderful photographers somewhere.  Not that you would want to post a picture of someone else’s baby, but don’t post it unless you credit the photographer and link to their site.)
• Get out the old pencil and paper (and watercolor/markers too if you want to be really creative!)
• Sketch out a few ideas in pencil using your inspiration pictures as…inspiration! Be creative!  This first sketch is a simple prop sketch and doesn’t have to be professional looking AT ALL. Make it sweet and simple.  Remember, you’re the only one who has to understand the idea in the sketch.  Don’t let this step discourage you, and don’t skip this step!  It’s important to have a vision behind your very own shoot! And for this sketch, we’re not talking about lighting, or other aspects. It’s a simple prop sketch so it’s okay to be vague.
• Use the watercolor/colored pencils/markers to color in your sketches.  I like to use watercolor so that I can see my writing/drawings underneath.
• Label each prop in the sketch.  This doesn’t have to be specific.  When I label things like “fancy pink fabric” I have no idea what I want exactly until I go to the fabric store and pick it out.  I keep it vague so I can change my mind if I see something else I like instead.  Even though you sketch out a shoot, plan on being flexible!  Creativity isn’t bound by a single sketch!
• Finally, make two lists on the same sheet of paper or on your iPhone notepad.  On one side, list everything you already have for your photoshoot and will not need to get.  On the other side, list out everything you’ll either need to buy or borrow.

My lists:

Already Own:

• tutu
• basket
• white and pink blankets
• pennant banner
• unpainted chair
• pink paint
• vintage luggage
• antiqued wooden boards
• painter’s tape and clamps (you may not need them, but they’re a staple in a photographer’s bag, “just in case”)

Need to Buy:

• Extra large foam-core boards
• Big teal flower headband
• fancy pink fabric