So, what are the best camera settings for newborn photography?
Having decided to try your hand at Newborn Photography, one of the first skills you will want to learn are what the best camera settings are.
Generally, the best camera settings to photograph newborns is an F2.2, ISO 100 with a 200 shutter speed, and it is best to use an off camera strobe.
After more than seven years of experience as a newborn photographer, these are my go to settings and I have found that they give me the best results. These settings are used for professional indoor studio shoots.
Now, you can learn how to photograph newborns at home with your own camera equipment! Keep reading for an explanation of how to use these settings with a DIY home solution.
Camera Settings for Beanbag and Table Shots
Camera Settings for Basket and Prop Shots
Camera Settings for Family Portraits
Camera Settings for DIY Newborn Photos
A Quick Guide for Amateur Photographers
Not everyone is a professional photographer, and many people don’t know what the various settings mean, let alone how to use them.
For those who aren’t professional photographers and thus don’t know the technical terms for various camera settings. So here’s a quick run down of photography terms and what they mean.
Aperture
Aperture is the opening through which light enters the camera. The size of this opening varies based on the camera and the camera lens. It is one of the three primary parameters of the exposure triangle in the lens, the other two of which are shutter speed and ISO.
The aperture is measured in f-stops, which is the ratio of the focal length divided by the opening size.
Smaller f-stops have wider openings. This allows more light to reach the sensor and allow you to take better low-light pictures. Whereas larger f-stops have smaller openings. This limits the amount of light that can reach the sensor, making the pictures darker.
ISO
One of the three main settings for cameras, ISO indicates the sensor’s sensitivity to light. Lower ISO settings make the sensor less sensitive, requiring more light or a longer shutter speed to have an adequate exposure.
Increasing the ISO makes it easier to shoot high-quality photographs in darker environments. Higher ISO settings make the sensor more sensitive and so the image will be brighter.
ISO is typically measured in multiples of 100, with 100 being the lowest.
Shutter Speed
Light must reach the camera’s sensor in order for the photograph to be taken. Cameras have a shutter that stops the light from reaching the sensor until the picture is being taken. When a picture is taken, the shutter will open to let light reach the shutter. The amount of time that the shutter remains open is known as the shutter speed.
This speed can also impact how light or dark the photo is. When the shutter is open for longer, more light can reach the sensor, making the photo brighter. When it is open for a shorter period of time less light can reach the sensor, having the same effect as a smaller aperture.
Strobe
A strobe is an off-camera light source that releases bright flashes of light, similar to flash photography on a camera. This light, however, is brighter and often much shorter. They are used to change the lighting and shadows during photo shoots.
Camera settings for Posing Beanbag and Table Shots
Beanbag and table shots are popular and create exceptionally adorable poses for newborn photo shoots. For these particular photographs, I find that it is optimal to use the F2.2 aperture and ISO 100 with a 200 shutter speed and using an off camera strobe.
Make sure you adjust the strength of the strobe to set exposure at these settings. Initially position the strobe at 90 degrees to your shooting position. From this point, you can adjust the strobe as needed to improve the lighting.
It is important to adjust the strobe’s position to get the desirable shadows and avoid flat lighting. This will enhance your newborn beanbag and table photos.
I typically use a 50mm lens for these types of photo shoots. A 50mm lens is a fast lens with a fast maximum aperture, making it ideal for low-light and indoor photography.
Camera settings for Newborn Basket and Prop Shots
Basket and prop shots are very common options for newborn photo shoots. For these photographs, I find that the F2.2 aperture is also a great choice, as well as ISO 100 with 200 shutter speed and use of a strobe.
As with the beanbag and table shots, adjust the strength of the strobe to set exposure at these particular settings.
Initially position the strobe at 90 degrees to the left or right since you will be shooting from above, with the baby on the floor in the basket. Once you have set up the strobe, you can adjust the position as necessary to achieve the desirable shadows.
This type of photography is relatively the same as bean bag and table shots. But I might suggest using a 35mm lens rather than a 50mm in order to get the shot in the frame.
Shooting from over the top of the baby can be difficult to get in frame with a 50mm lens, unless you are tall or stand on a stool. A 35mm lens allows for a wider field of vision enabling you to be closer to the subject while getting the shot in the frame.
Camera settings for Family Portraits with Newborns
For family portraits, which is a beloved way to capture a new addition to the family, have the family stand against a backdrop.
I find that for family portraits, a F5.6 aperture, ISO 100, with 200 shutter speed and a strobe are the best photography choices.
Then, adjust the strength of the strobe to set exposure at these settings. The F5.6 aperture is narrower than the F2.2 aperture and is used to get everyone in the picture in focus.
An F5.6 aperture is smaller than an F2.2 aperture, and while a larger aperture is generally better for photos, as it lets in more light, the smaller one gives you are larger depth of field.
To avoid shadows on the family portraits, use two strobes on both sides. This will provide the right balance to get good lighting on these photographs.
Camera settings for DIY Newborn Photos Using Natural Light
Lucky for you, DIY newborn photos using natural light don’t require a professional grade camera for decent results. These pictures can be done using basic DSLR, smartphone, etc., and natural lighting.
If you are taking DIY photos with natural light and using a DSLR camera, you will need at least 250 shutter speed and an F2.2 aperture. Without a more professional camera, a shutter speed of less than 250 will not be as clear and will result in unsatisfactory photos.
Make sure to adjust the ISO in order to obtain the correct exposure, and it will need to be higher when not using a strobe.
If you are using window light as your natural light source, use the window as if it was an off camera strobe. Therefore, shoot at 90 degrees to the window and position the baby as needed.
You may have to try different orientations and positions to get the lighting just right for the photos. It is easier to photograph newborns while they are sleeping, and therefore not moving around and possibly causing the photo to be out of focus.
One thing that works is feeding the baby first so that they are sleepy. This way, you may also be lucky enough to catch an adorable yawn.
Conclusion
I am sharing my expertise with the hope that you will be able to take your own newborn photos. Taking the best photos of your baby lets you enjoy those precious moments that you will want to cherish forever. I hope that you have gained insight into the world of photography from this article and my own expertise.
My experience has given me a wide array of information and insights regarding newborn photography. As a recap my go to settings are typically an F2.2 aperture, ISO 100 with a 200 shutter speed and the use of an off camera strobe. These settings will often yield excellent results and great photos of your newborn.
However, these settings do not work for every type of photo shoot, and in order to optimize your photos, these settings can be altered. This can depend on the location and nature of the photos being taken.
Beanbag and table shots, as well as basket and prop shots, are fairly similar. But family portraits require slightly different settings.
With all of the options open to you, there is no shortage of possibilities to how to capture the precious moments with your newborn.