Arden Prucha Photography

So, when I shoot newborns I usually shoot at the family’s home.

I have a ton of stuff I bring and honestly it would be easy to shoot at my home, but I’d hate making new mommies get out and about too soon.

I bring stuff like: props, blankets, light stands, soft box, umbrella/blash, backdrop stand, boppy, pillows, hats, equipment, etc.

Getting my gear and then loading my car takes at least about 20-30 minutes, then unloading and prepping at the newborn home.

I am sure having a studio would be GREAT for shoots like this!

However, I love being able to utilize props in the family’s home as well.

This particular shoot, I set up in the nursery, because it was super toasty and had amazing natural light – lots of windows!

We were cramped in there, but it was a perfect little cubby for shooting 🙂

Also for me it was enough workspace, I really don’t need much.

I have some simple strategies for my newborn shoots and need the parents’ help:

-I typically like to shoot 5-10 days old, preferably closer to 5, if schedule and health allow. The newer the babe, the sleepier and more ‘out of it’ they will be 🙂

-have space heater on hand and warming up the room prior to my arrival; as well as have the heat going in the home… the warmer the better!

-white noise machine AND stereo – I use both to have plenty of ambient noise going, otherwise the click of a camera is loud

-well fed baby, about 30 minutes prior to my arrival

-all blankets, props, outfits, hats, bloomers, and ideas laid out for me

-a room with great natural light

-please have the nursery nice and tidy so that it will be ‘photo-ready’ and gorgeous

-the baby should be in only a diaper when I arrive, so that I can slip it off to start shooting. Taking off clothes will just disrupt and awaken them.

-mom and dad be ready to help me with baby and props 🙂

-be prepared for a long shoot.  babies will sleep, but when they are being moved around a lot, their sleep isn’t near as solid

-be on-hand for feedings and  pee trickles & POOP explosions 🙂

-watch your sweet little sugar, be cuter than ever… fall in love ALL over again

Here is an example of how I shoot:

Backdrop stand, clipping on their blanket (I need to purchase heavy duty clips asap… ixnay on the chip-clips, ha).

Boppy on ottoman, covered by the draped blanket.

Facing window light, with some natural light coming in from the left as well.

Place sweetie pie on Boppy and shoot:

(original, unedited… quite warm and not bright enough.  I also had too many creases in the blanket.  Something that was easily fixed in PS, but I would have preferred to fix it prior to shooting)Edited… so much more bright and desaturated! 🙂One again yellow and not soft enough:This is cropped in and has a slight hue added (pinkish with some yellow undertones), I think I like the above version better 🙂
Another set up.  They had extra fabric from the nursery left over and this really great ‘bowl’ I HAD to utilize.

‘Mom’ stood behind and held the fabric up nice and even to provide a great backdrop!

I love this look!!!

It wasn’t easy to figure out (for the baby and aesthetically) – we put in blankets, color fabric and wraps in there, but it wasn’t ‘right.’

I finally tried and loved the simplicity and softness of the white lambskin I have.

Another original shot, darker, yellow, and needs a nice POP!Now, with the lovely edit and POP I am always seeking:

Which edit do you like?