Breastfeeding is the most natural form of nutrition for an infant and many mothers find it easy to feed their babies using this method. While you’re breastfeeding, you’ll want to capture images of your baby to show your family and friends.
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Best Tips for Breast and Breastfeeding Photography
1. If you are planning to capture a beautiful breast and breastfeeding photography then it is no doubt that you have to choose a good quality camera with excellent quality settings and lenses. For beginners, to capture these photos, you need to understand the basics of light exposure, focus, and depth of field. But if you are already a professional photographer and even you are excellent in other types of photography, you can still use your skills and ideas from other types of photography to apply into this genre.
Here we cover some basic things first, and after that, you can find more practical tips about this type of photography.
The next thing that you need to consider when it comes to taking professional pictures is the exposure. You should ensure that the shutter speed is kept as low as possible. It is always suggested that the shutter speed should not be greater than 1/60th of a second. This is because it will make the image blurry. The best shutter speeds are between 1/30th and 1/125th.
The third thing that you need to look for when you want to capture a beautiful breast photo is the depth of field. The depth of field is the distance from the closest point on the object to the farthest point on the object that is in focus. For example, if the depth of field is less, then you would have to focus on the very edge of the object that you want to capture.
Another important thing that you need to take care of is the lighting conditions. It is important that the light source is diffused so that there are no harsh shadows on the object. It is recommended that you should use a flash with a bounce card.
2. Keep your baby on the breast. For your newborn, you should try to keep him or her close while feeding, even if it means holding them upright.
3. Keep a record of your baby’s facial expressions. If he or she is squirming or crying, then you may need to adjust the focus on the lens to remove this distraction.
4. Photograph your baby in a variety of positions and settings. You may want to position your baby in the crook of your arm or against your chest. You may also want to take the baby in different positions such as lying down, sitting, standing, facing the camera, looking at the camera or at you.
5. Create a comfortable space. You may want to position your baby on a cushion, blanket or mattress on the floor or a padded chair. Make sure there are no distractions or noise, and turn off your cellphone and other electronic devices.
6. Don’t overdo the props. Try to keep them simple, including a few toys, books, blankets or pillows.
7. Bring your baby along to events and outings. He or she will enjoy it and it will make it easier to capture candid moments.
8. Bring your baby’s favorite objects with you. It’s fun to photograph a familiar object, such as a teddy bear or blanket.
9. Use the best lighting. Try to use natural light or artificial lights that are not harsh and are set at a low angle to minimize shadows. A white backdrop is also a good idea.
10. Be patient. Babies are so tiny that capturing great images of him or her can take some patience and practice.
11. Always use a bra.
As much as possible, the mother should wear a bra, which can be adjusted to ensure it covers her nipples. It is okay to make sure that the nipple is not visible in the final print or photo.
12. Create a relaxed atmosphere.
Ensure you can focus on creating a relaxed atmosphere where the mother is happy. Some photographers have a more formal approach to their clients. You might find that you want to take the lead in the session and ensure you can communicate effectively with the mother to create a relaxed atmosphere.
14. Try to limit the number of sessions.
It can be difficult to keep a mother’s energy level high when you are photographing a series of images. Therefore, try to limit the number of sessions. If you feel that you can photograph one session in the morning and another in the afternoon, do so. However, if you feel the mother needs to be more comfortable, ensure you give her ample time to recover between sessions.
What should I wear for breastfeeding pictures?
It’s important to find outfits that are comfortable, flattering and easy to get into. Here are some ideas.
A breastfeeding shirt or top, preferably with a loose neckline and short sleeves. You may also wish to cover your stomach, just in case.
The skirt should be knee length and made of soft cotton, linen or a jersey material. Avoid satin as this is slippery and can irritate the skin.
Choose an underwired bra with wide straps and a high back, so the cups aren’t seen. You may also want a nursing pillow.
Breast and Breastfeeding Photography Ideas
The below photos are some ideas for you to study. We hope that you can learn from these ideas and can apply some poses you like into your real work. We also continuously add more photos here. Our purposes are to give you best things to learn and become a better photographer.
