Hello all!

I have received a request to take pictures of someone's baby girl in time for Christmas, and I must admit I am more than I little intimidated by the prospect.

I have recently received a Canon EOS 40D, which I am still learning to use, with a 28-135mm kit lens. I have very little practise setting up backgrounds (although I realise that a white sheet will do) and I have no studio lights..or experience with them. There is, sadly, minimal natural light this time of year in Belgium.

Is there any way I can reasonably and competently pull this off? I have my doubts! But I hope you will be able to convince me otherwise. :)

Thanks in advance for your kind advice,
Stefanie

Yep you can do it !!!

I would only do natural light portraits, don't even think about lighting.  Near a large window and don't worry too much about backgrounds and setting things up perfectly before you start. The parents will be impressed I am sure if they can get just one or two natural shots with baby looking relaxed and happy. Put the camera on centre metering, hand held and start shooting loads of shots, enjoy the moment and smile.  

Most importatnt thing -fill the frame with the portrait and not have lots of extra space around the edge - get close. 

Present some in B/W as well as colour.

Good luck.

Good advice.  I have heard that kids are easy to shoot, it isnt really to do with the technicalities of using the camera, but getting the kid relaxed - they have natural expressions all the time, so no need to "pose" them, so just get snapping and somethig will definitely come of it!

On a side note - i have a baby portrait of me hung outside my room in the coridor (my mum put it there). I'm looking all cute in my christening gown, but to get my hands together in a pose the photographer apparently used sticky tape to stick them together - you can see it on the photo if you look close enough! (I wouldnt recommend doing that in your shoot tho btw )

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/mod/gallery/index.php?image_id=1577772

Attached Link: http://http://www.lastolite.com/originalreflectors.php

I also used   http://www.lastolite.com/micro-apollo.php   which in effect is the same as using a large softbox (softens and diffuses the flash, no harsh shadows)...but as you have no gun, pointless!)...as Richard pointed out, also used natural light for some (which meant bumping up the ISO)

Also pointed out, I also converted the finished shots in mono tones (as well as colour) to give to client. Was the client pleased?  Very :-)

Wish I could post some shots from the shoot here, but hey, a pro shoot but trust and confidentiality go together.

All I can say is....relax, just do it...just rattle off the shots...make suggestions, feel comfortable in your surroundings...if you really enjoy photography, then you will :-)

Like what Jim said, use a reflector to bounce the light. Window light works very well. You can go to a fabric store and buy reflective cloth there for cheap. Take as many photos as possible, look for the right pose, moment and especially the light... oh, don't forget to zoom in so you wont get barrel distortion. don't be afraid to use a high ISO, the 40D works great at high ISO's.

Okay, folks. Bolstered by your confidence in me, I have made arrangements to do the photo shoot on Friday at noon. Apparently the mother is bringing fluffy angel wings and such. This should be an interesting experience. I will be sure to share some of the result!

My biggest concern is still getting a decent amount of light without having to meddle with the flash, but I am going to do some test shots near my window later today, with a stuffed animal as a stand in.

Apparently, the plan is to make a calender to be given out to everyone and their friends and family for Christmas. So, no pressure on me or anything.

I told the person that this will be my first experience taking pictures of a baby! But she had seen my website and can't see how I couldn't possibly figure it out, --which is very flattering, but intimidating nevertheless.

Ah well. I shall do my best. Thank you ever so much, as usual. :)

Stefanie

Well, if you do have a flash then you could try bouncing it on the wall behind you or to the wall on the opposite side of the window as a fill flash for the natural light (ie dont have it as the main source of light).  You wont notice that the shot was taken using a flash if you use just enough power to fill in the shadows... as far as i can tell (i have never done it but am working on educated guess here from reading).  Might want to try it this afternoon with the teddy tho - the light temperatures will be different and it might look a bit off (maybe use it for the B&Ws)

I only have the flash that comes with the camera itself, so I won't be able to bounce if off anywhere but the poor subject herself, which is something I will try to avoid.

I'm going to experiment with other light sources as well (as in, what I have around the house), so I have more options and a back up plan in case the weather is just as gloomy as always...

Good luck...remember, as in all portraits...make sure the eye(s) are in focus. Even without fill in, the 40D is damn good with ISO even at 1600!

My test shots today with my stuffed bunny came out just fine, even with gloomy lighting from the window. I had to set the ISO fairly high, but, as has been noted about he 40d, I hardly had to sacrifice quality at all. I'm feeling a bit optimistic now. :)