Both maternity and newborn photography are exciting, rewarding fields of photography that also don’t require a lot of high-tech photography equipment. The basic equipment for newborn and maternity photography includes a decent camera, some prime lenses, and of course, good lighting.
But this doesn’t mean it is easy to choose the best photography equipment! While the real challenge you’ll face is helping the mother or her bundle of joy to pose, you’ll also need to keep the mess to a minimum without compromising the quality.
This comprehensive guide will help you make the right decision on the gear you’ll require. Some fun bonus tips on props and accessories are also included for a great photography session!
Best Photography Equipment for Newborn Photography
Getting great pictures of a newborn or infant is certainly not an easy task! Capturing that perfect pose with the perfect expression can be quite taxing on you, in between all the crying! But the happiness and warmth that you and the parents will feel on seeing the bundle of joy framed in a picture are boundless!
While there is no hard and fast rule to choose your photography equipment, user-friendly gear, super functional accessories, and some fun props can make a ton of difference. With that said, here are some recommendations to help you make the best of newborn photography sessions!
1. Camera
The first thing you’ll want to settle on will be a camera. You’ll not require the latest or most advanced camera in the market for newborn photography. However, you can always get the best one under your budget!
You can opt for either a DSLR or a mirrorless camera that either has a crop sensor or a full-frame sensor. At the end of the day, your decision will probably come down to how much cash you can shell out.
Full-frame cameras will cost more than the crop sensor ones, depending on the functionality and features. If you will be using the camera to shoot other photography genres like maternity photography, or portraits, you can opt for something with more features.
But, when it comes to newborn babies, who will probably be sleeping most of the time, in your newborn photography session, you will not use many advanced features. Instead, you can spend more on getting some good lenses.
Some of the DSLR cameras we recommend for newborn photography are Canon 5D Mark IV and Nikon D850. As for mirrorless cameras, you can opt for Canon EOS R, Sony Alpha a7 III, or Nikon Z6 II.
2. Lens
Next, you will require at least one lens with a relatively short focal length because it’s likely that you will stay close to the baby while photographing them. Most zoom lenses work pretty well too, but a prime lens will add clarity and sharpness to the picture.
Since the newborn will not be moving around too much, it is recommended that you opt for macro or prime lenses for newborn photography. As already mentioned, prime lenses will give you a shallower depth of field, and better image quality, than a zoom lens.
Some lenses that are great for newborn photography are Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L, Canon 100mm L series lens, and Sigma Art f/1.4 35mm.
3. Lighting Equipment
When it comes to newborn photography lighting equipment, a big window that streams in natural light is your best bet. You can choose to use strobe lights in your studio if an artificial light source is your only option.
But, most photographers prefer not to use strobes for newborn photography as they can be extremely sensitive to the flashes. The sudden burst of bright light may scare the tiny tot, and hence, compromise the final image.
Instead, you can opt for a continuous source of light, like LED lights. If you already own a strobe and don’t have access to a window, you can opt for a pop-up or collapsible reflector.
These reflectors can be helpful tools to add a touch of light without disturbing the baby. All you have to do is aim an off-camera flash or a continuous light source towards the reflector, which will bounce diffused light into the shot.
So, in short, the good news is that you’ll not have to invest heavily in newborn photography lighting equipment.
4. Backdrop Stand
Apart from the camera, lenses, and newborn photography lighting equipment, you may want a collection of patterned cloths or textured backdrops for your photography session.
With a backdrop stand, you can transform any setting into a makeshift studio. This equipment for newborn and maternity photography will help you experiment with different backdrops, and therefore get the perfect shot.
If you have a backdrop stand or are planning to invest in one, all you have to do is clamp the end of the chosen backdrop vertically to its crossbeam. You can lay the other half of the fabric on the floor if the length is too much. This piece of equipment will help you seamlessly set up any backdrop, anywhere you like.
5. Clamps
The next piece of essential equipment for newborn and maternity photography is a clamp. These inexpensive, handy tools can be used in a number of ways, be it to pull the fabric or sheet tight over the backdrop stand or to pull back some large toddler outfits.
It’s good to have a variety of large and small clips and store them where you can access them easily. You can also use clamps or clips or keep your backdrop all neat and rolled up, especially if you have limited floor space.
You may find plastic versions of these clamps, but it’s highly recommended to use heavy-duty steel ones. The plastic clamps may come dirt cheap but can cost you heavily, as not only do they wear down over time but can also snap when you least expect it. When they snap, they can move across the room really fast and are very dangerous for a delicate newborn.
Additional Accessories for Newborn Photography
Now that you have the best photography equipment all sorted out, it’s time to go the extra mile! Trust us; these few additional accessories that are listed below will be extremely handy during your newborn photography session.
These will not only help your shoot run smoothly without any hassle but will also keep the mess to a minimum so that you can move on to the next shoot faster.
1. Pee Pads
If you’re going for a nude newborn photography session, it is recommended that you use a pee pad underneath the baby. Once you’ve set everything up and have got your camera settings right, you can remove the pad.
You can imagine how much mess you’ll prevent and the time you’ll save this way! Also, even when you’re posing the baby over several layers of cloth, you can place a pee pad underneath the first layer.
This way, only one layer of cloth will be affected, and you’ll save time on doing laundry if the baby does have an accident. Your props will also not wear and tear over multiple photography sessions, saving you money in the long run.
2. Space Heater
Helping your little subject to stay warm and comfortable during the shoot is perhaps the most important part of your newborn photography session. In addition to the probability of getting sick, the baby will be unhappy and unwilling to nap or pose if they’re feeling too chilly.
Of course, the space heater must be used with caution, for you do not want the baby to overheat and get fussy. A space heater is a better option than simply turning up the heat in the entire room, for everyone else in there may feel stuffy.
A space heater will keep only the posing area warm and create a cozy space for the baby. When the parents are getting their baby ready, you can turn the space heater on and switch it off when you feel it is too warm.
This will probably be one of the best photography equipment to invest in if you do newborn shoots frequently. After all, babies love being all snug and warm! You can also opt for heating pads.
3. Baby Care Essentials
While these may not seem essential at first, you’ll realize how important they are when your client tells you they forgot to pack something in a hurry! As a photographer, you’ll have to build a good rapport with your clients, so try to make the experience as convenient for them as possible.
If possible, you can also have a changing table at the studio. Other baby care essentials include sanitizers, diapers, lotions, pacifiers, and wipes. The wipes and hand sanitizers will also come in handy for you.
Babies are prone to catching infections, so you’ll have to keep your hands clean at all times. Also, if the baby has an accident, wipes make it much more convenient to wipe everything off before it stains.
4. Smile Inducing Accessories
Once the newborn is dressed and ready for the shot, it’s time to divert their attention towards the lens! From the infant’s perspective, the black brick of glass and metal has very little appeal and is the most boring thing.
So, you’ll have to accessorize your camera with camera creatures or shutter huggers that can be attached to your hand-held camera as you shoot. Some of them even have squeakers in them to grab the attention of the tiny tot.
Best Photography Equipment for Maternity Photography
If you’re a photographer who wants to add maternity photography to your list of offerings, gear and equipment will naturally be a big consideration. Just like newborn photography, this genre of photography too requires very little equipment, especially if you’re doing the shoot outside!
1. Camera
For maternity photography, you can opt for a DSLR or mirrorless camera within your budget, but ensure that it has at least 20 megapixels of resolution for a professional shot.
You can also look out for some features like eye autofocus, offered by a lot of mirrorless cameras, which will help keep the mom-to-be in focus. Since staging mobile will help you be more flexible and creative, you’ll want a fast lens with good shutter speed.
A full-frame camera will also help you in maternity photography, so if you’ll be doing both newborn and maternity photography, this is a great investment. The full-frame camera will help you make the most of every pixel in the shot, and also give you more to work with when it comes to the post-production stage.
Some cameras you can use for maternity photography include Sony a7 ii, Canon EOS RP, Nikon D610, and Canon 6D.
2. Lens
You will want to select prime lenses for maternity photography, especially if you’re going to be shooting outdoors. The perfect focal length lies between the range of 35 mm to 50 mm.
The best photography equipment for maternity photography is that which allows you to be as versatile as possible. So, avoid super wide-angle lenses, as these can distort the subject, especially towards the frame’s edge.
Even a telephoto lens is not recommended, for these too distort the image. The best part about prime lenses is that they don’t zoom in or out, which is quite advantageous for photographers.
A prime lens will allow you to experiment with different angles and force you to move the camera to get the best possible shot. A shallow depth of field with a fast shutter speed will also help you achieve the ever-popular, bokeh effect. Some lenses that you can opt for, are the Canon f2.8 24-70mm L and the Sigma Art 1.4 50mm.
3. Lighting
Having some great photography equipment at hand will undoubtedly make a world of difference in how the final photograph turns out. If it falls within your budget, get a few great strobes, flashes, and a battery pack too.
These will help you achieve the right balance of light and shadows that will add a beautiful layer of depth to your photograph. Keep in mind that in maternity photography, the focus will be on the mom-to-be and her baby bump.
Therefore, ensure that you focus the light at appropriate angles to highlight the mom and her tummy. Also, make sure that you do not use too many bright lights, and overwhelm your subject.
Reflectors and strobes used for a long duration can heat up the immediate surrounding, so keep a couple of fans around, or air-conditioning, if possible. This won’t be possible for an outdoor maternity shoot, so in that case, schedule an adequate number of breaks.
Focusing light directly on the face isn’t ideal, as it may lead to sweating or highlight blemishes. Instead, use reflectors, and focus the light around the face and belly for a diffused effect.
4. Tripod and Remote Shutter Release
Tripods and remote shutter gears are optional for maternity photography. If you’ll be shooting in a low-light setting, it is ideal to opt for a tripod, as it will help you get a sharper picture.
Also, a tripod will help you interact with your subject more, which is useful when the mom-to-be is nervous and needs help to pose. As for a remote shutter release, it can be used along with the tripod for the same benefits.
Since you won’t have to touch the camera, you can move freely and direct your subject more. This can ultimately help build great rapport with your subject! After all, a great relationship with your client is as important as having the best photography equipment!
Recommended Props for Newborn and Maternity Photography
A guide to selecting the best equipment for newborn and maternity photography would be incomplete without some fun props! Posing tools and other props will undoubtedly add more production value to the shot.
While most of these props can be substituted with other items lying around the client’s house, it’s a good idea to invest in them if you frequently have maternity photography or newborn photography sessions.
1. Posers
Posers are one of the most important props that you will use during a newborn photography session. There are a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors of posers that you can choose from.
One of the most popular posers amongst photographers is the deep donut poser. You can also achieve this with a rolled-up towel if you’re on a tight budget. You can also opt for a foam wedge, as these too, are firm, yet soft enough to be comfortable for the little one.
While posers aren’t a must-have, these will definitely help you modify a pose quickly, when needed, and keep the baby cozy. You can also have bean bags or posing cushions.
Bean bags are more flexible, and you can mold them into different shapes, to suit the baby’s pose during newborn photography. They also allow you to be creative, and have some fun!
2. Swaddling Props
A pose where the baby is swaddled is perhaps the most popular style of newborn photography. Textured or decorative blankets also make a great base for your photograph.
The comforting embrace of a colorful, knit baby wrap will also add more depth to your shot. However, ensure that the materials are hypo-allergenic and safe for newborns to use.
Also, avoid using shiny, silky materials because their strong, sheen-like appearance will reflect a lot of light, be it artificial or natural, and create unattractive, distracting hotspots in your final set of images.
3. Ankle Weights
In your newborn photography session, you may be planning to pose the newborn baby inside a bucket, basket, or any other container. In this case, ensure that you weigh the container down so that it doesn’t tip over and harm the baby.
While any added weight will work, a lot of photographers prefer ankle weights since they are quite affordable, lay flat at the container’s base, and are usually covered in fabric. Metal weights are cool to touch and will create uneven surfaces, causing the baby discomfort.
On the other hand, if you use ankle weights, you just have to place them at the bottom of the basket and then cover them with a cloth. The shot will not be spoiled, and the baby’s comfort level will also be optimal.
4. Signs, Banners, and Pictures
For maternity photography, you can have a lot of fun with props! The most popular choices are using family pictures, signs, and rustic banners that announce the child’s gender.
You can also ask the client to get the baby’s first ultrasound picture to add a personal, intimate touch to the shot. The precious, life-changing photograph can be incorporated in different ways to celebrate and commemorate the family’s bundle of joy!
5. Decorative Props
You can have some floral crowns, little baby shoes, blocks, or stuffed toys at hand, to enhance the maternity shoot. Since maternity photography is a celebration of life, some natural elements like artificial flowers or leaves will usually be consistent with most themes.
Little baby shoes and playing blocks are also a great way to enhance the picture. It makes the pregnancy announcement extra special. Also, if the family wants to include their other kids in the shot, blocks and stuffed toys will make the picture more vibrant, joyful, and meaningful.
6. Balloons
Balloons can be used for both maternity photography and newborn photography. Ensure that the colors of the balloons match the whole theme of the shoot. Avoid balloons that are too glossy, as this will create greatly distracting hotspots in the picture.
Also, do not use too many balloons, as it may overpower the picture and change the focus from the mom-to-be, or the baby. If you choose to use them, keep them away from sharp objects, especially during newborn photography sessions, as it will scare the little tot if it bursts.
Final Words
The equipment for newborn and maternity photography that you choose will ultimately reflect your style as a photographer. Both these genres of photography do not need a lot of advanced equipment, so it will allow you to experiment with different styles and scenes.
Ensure that you do not get carried away while choosing the best photography equipment, and instead focus on gear that you feel comfortable using that is within your budget. Remember, the equipment doesn’t define the quality of the picture; you do!