Choosing the Best Location for Your Photo Session

Choosing the Best Location for Your Photo Session

Aug 12, 2024 | APNPI Community

Written by: Tammy Gallant

Choosing the best place for your photo session can be tough

That is definitely on the list of benefits for hiring you, as a professional photographer. As a professional, you will get to know who your client is and what message they want their photos to convey to their family and future self/selves. After all, photos are done to show the future who you are right now, be it the future you, the kids all grown up, grandkids or for generations down the line. For example, are they a person who likes uproarious laughter or are they more serious? Do they love the mountains or prefer just hanging out in their own yard? Is the family super affectionate with lots of PDA or more reserved and private. Do they have horses and land or are they more of a city dweller? What about their home? Is the decor earthy and woody, boho or more minimalist and industrial? All of these things (and many, many more) will play an important role in deciding where a client session will take place.

Indoor or outdoor

This is super important and probably the first question that needs to be answered when you are thinking about the photos. Will you want an outdoor look for or something more traditional in a studio setting? Each has it’s own set of challenges and rewards. Working outside, the photos will be affected by weather. If there is any wind at all, hair will be blown out of place and long hair can become unruly, blowing into the air or, worse, into the faces of all beloved family members with long hair.

Even the slightest wind will probably also influence how clothing looks, creating ripples in material or moving around skirts, sleeves and the fronts of shirts. Hats and other accessories can be easily blown off or even completely away (ever chased a cowboy hat across a meadow near a cliff, because I have, lol). What if it’s raining (or worse)? There could be other people, cars or animals in the shot that you didn’t want. However, all those issues aside, outdoor portraits are some of the most dramatic, most beautiful, most impactful and genuine that you could get. There is really something special about photos in the great outdoors. Just try looking for a place with minimal intrusions into the composition that you don’t want. That includes trails that could have people, roads, poles and wires, signs and more.

There is also the option of composite portraits. That is where you take the actual photo of your subject(s) and put them into a completely different set. This can be done to just utilize a different background, replace a background and floor, create a completely different scene or put together several elements into one. Literally, the sky is the limit when using digital backdrops, especially with the improvements made in AI, recently.  Check out the example with the little boy and the giraffe, which was actually taken using a ball in the boy’s hands.

Photos done in the studio have their perks and benefits, too, though. It doesn’t matter what the weather or temperature is doing outside. These photos usually look more elegant and have more an air of luxury than their outdoor counterparts. It’s easier for you to play around with lighting styles indoors than out. In a relatively short amount of time, you can use the studio for low key, dark and moody portraits or high key, light and airy images, backlit silhouettes and all points in between. It’s also easier to keep kiddos in the same spot for longer periods of time, inside a studio setting. You and your client will figure out this part, together, as well as planning what, if any, props you will want to use. They may be the sort of person who loves a minimalistic approach or may prefer portraits that are filled with all sorts of things that they love (I knew of one client who literally brought a cargo trailer, as well as the truck bed, filled with things from home, every single year, that they wanted used in their family sessions, no lie).

The personality factor

You might be wondering what I meant, earlier, about the personality factor. Why would that matter? Well, there is actually a lot of psychology involved in creating the perfect portrait session. In general, certain personality types are typically drawn to certain styles. Someone who is more reserved and quiet will likely prefer a simple background, maybe with just one color, over a busy background filled with lots of props. Conversely, someone with a gregarious, talkative personality and who loves to laugh will likely be more drawn to lots of bright colors and many props. Could you picture Robert De Niro, Matthew McConaughey or Clint Eastwood or John Wayne (God rest him) posing for a photo in front of yellow shelves bursting with funny, brightly colored clockwork toys and rubber ducks? I bet it wouldn’t be a huge stretch to see Robin Williams (God rest him, too), Jim Carrey, Melissa McCarthy or Will Ferrell there, though. As a professional photographer, you will help navigate the perfect look, poses and styling for your client’s personality and family dynamic. For practice in honing this skill, take a quick moment with each person you see, in any environment, and visualize how you would photograph them, based only on their observed behaviors and attire. Good luck!

Tammy, photographer in beautiful Laurel, MT, got her first camera in 1978 at the age of ten. She began her professional career in 2004, with automotive events and wildlife. In 2017, she branched off into two separate studio businesses. The first, specializing in maternity, newborn and child portraiture and the other in high school seniors and corporate head shots.

When she’s not behind her camera, she’s hiking, camping and exploring in the mountains of Montana and Wyoming or riding her motorcycle. You can find her on IG and FB as @TSGallantPhotography and @LookAtYouPhotography

See more of Tammy Gallant at http://www.TSGallantPhotography.com

Studio lighting for newborn photographers

Studio lighting for newborn photographers

Aug 5, 2024 | APNPI Community, For Photographers

Written by: Katherine Katsenis

 

One of the most common questions I get besides “What camera is good for newborn photography?” is, “What light should I get?”. And “What modifier should I use”? I remember what it is like to be at the beginning of my  newborn photography career. You want to get started, but are not sure where to begin. In this blog, I want to talk about studio lighting for newborn photographers so you can get going and move ahead with your dreams.

Natural Light

Natural light can be a great thing. If you are in a situation where it is kind to you, or you are easily able to manipulate it, natural light makes life easier. In my experience, however, natural light is usually not optimal for an entire newborn session. This is because you may not be able to use natural light for all situations; from family, to siblings, to posing bag, to props. Each of these requires different amounts and types of lighting. If you have a situation with huge floor to ceiling windows and enough room to place a V flat or foam core as a reflector, then natural lighting may work for you all the time. Natural light, you’re like that friend who’s sometimes amazing to hang out with but then can suddenly become a bit unreliable. It can change a lot very quickly. Newborn photography is tough enough without you having to worry about what the light outside is doing.

So, what’s a newborn photographer to do when the sun decides to go on a break, or it’s just too gloomy outside? That’s where our trusty friend, the monolight, steps in. It’s like having a sunshine buddy on call, ready to brighten up your photo sessions with just the right amount of light. No more fretting over cloudy days or racing against the moving sun. Monolights are here to save the day, giving you consistent, beautiful light you control.

Studio light – Monolights

One of the easiest studio lighting for newborn photographers is the monolight. Think of watt seconds as your guide to how much light your monolight can dish out. It’s a bit like deciding how much frosting goes on a cupcake. Too little and it’s just a muffin, too much and it’s a sugar bomb. For newborn photography, you want just the right amount of frosting — I mean, light! This helps keep the photo soft and sweet, just like your little subject.

So, when you’re out there picking your monolight, keep an eye on those watt seconds. Not too high, not too low. 1000 ws is probably too much. 500 ws is more in the neighborhood of what you need. This way, you can take images of just the baby, the baby and siblings, and whole family photos and you will be able to adjust the power setting on the strobe to get the lighting look you want.

Popular Studio Monolights for Newborn Photographers

A lot has changed in monolights since I began my newborn photography business. But the basics are still the same.

You need to be able to adjust the power

This can be done manually at the back of the strobe, or in some cases, wirelessly through the trigger in your hotshoe. I am a bit of a fossil and my strobes plug in to the wall and can only be changed manually. But if I had to change, I would love to be able to adjust the light remotely. Very convenient.

Consider Recycle Time

Newer and mid to higher priced strobes have faster recycling times. This means that your strobe can fire at the power you set quickly. If you can afford it, fast recycle times can help you get those fleeting newborn smiles.

Consider battery powered

Battery packs are awesome. It is just one less cord you have to deal with and it makes it easy to go inside or out depending on where you are doing your newborn session. I do recommend buying an extra battery pack so you have one on standby at all times.

Popular Strobes in the Newborn Photography World

Paul Buff’s Einstein

This is an affordable, reliable strobe. Buff also sells  modifiers for it that are effective and easy on your pocket book

Flashpoint (Godox) Xplor 600

This strobe has a battery, which is great if you travel, or need to move your light around. It has one trigger (be sure you buy it as it is not included with the strobe). This strobe has good recycle times at lower powers when you need to get 3 or 4 quick shots in a row.

 

Profoto D3

If you have money to burn, Profoto is for you and will be your dream studio lighting for newborn photography. But what do you get for all that extra bank? Mostly, it is small things that may not matter to you. For one, faster recycling time  at higher powers. For another, more consistent color. Less expensive strobes do tend to vary a little bit in color over a long session. Pro Foto does this less. But these variations are very small and you can adjust those images in post production.

Buying Used

There are many options out there in the world of monolights. When I was new, I was lucky to have a mentor who could answer questions. This allowed me to be able to buy used gear with confidence because he always told me what to look for. If you can, buying used can save you a small fortune. Many reputable places like B and H Photo and Adorama sell used gear. They have good customer support and you can ask questions. It is something to consider when just starting. Aferall, you also have to buy newborn clothes, posing fabrics, headbands and props.

Types of Common Light Modifiers for Newborn Photography

Once you have your strobe, you will need a modifier or two.  Check out these commonly used ones.

Shoot Through Umbrella

This is a large white umbrella that fits into your monolight.  You shoot light through it for soft diffused shadows.

Shoot Into Umbrella

If you have an umbrella that is black outside and white or silver inside, then you can shoot light into the umbrella and it bounces back to light your subject. For this, I recommend also using diffusion material for the light to bounce back through.

Soft Box

To use a softbox, you will have to know what kind of mount your monolight has. Softboxes use what is called a speeding to attach the softbox to the light. Many take a Bowens Mount. Some are proprietary and only use their own brand. If you need to, you can get an adapter so that the soft box you want will fit properly on your monolight. For newborns, you want a large softbox. I have a 4 x 6 that I use.

Invaluable Lighting Grip Gear

Get ready to meet the unsung heroes of your newborn photography set-up: grip gear! Think of grip gear like the trusty sidekick who’s always got your back. It’s the Robin to your Batman in the world of lighting and photography. These handy dandy gadgets, like light stands, boom arms, and sandbags, are all about giving your lighting that extra oomph and stability.

Light Stand

While you can use just a basic light stand, it has its drawbacks. Most light stands only go so low to the ground. This means that your modifier only goes so low too. This matters for shots where the baby is in a prop on the floor, or for those overhead family images.

I recommend a light stand with a sliding arm and wheels so you can maneuver around your environment and get the light you want.

Sandbags

But wait, there’s more! Don’t forget about the sandbags. They might not sound glamorous, but they’re the unsung heroes that keep everything from tipping over. A little like the weights that keep a hot air balloon from flying away. They make sure your light stands stay put, even if you accidentally bump into them while tiptoeing around to get that perfect angle.

Take Your Time and Have Fun

There is a lot more I could say, but the point here is to get you started. Once on your way, you will decide for yourself the exact lighting gear that is good for you. Creating your own style takes time. It is only through trial, error and  experience that you come to know who you are as an artist. The answer to “What is the best light for newborn photography?” is not static, but hopefully you’ve learned enough about studio lighting gear and modifiers for newborn photographers to get going from the base beginning point which I have given here. But your answer to this question will evolve.

So, get out there. Get started. Before you know it, you will be writing a blog post for APNPI!

Katie is a pregnancy and newborn photogapher in Los Angeles.

See more of Katherine Katsenis at http://www.panosproductions.net/

Model Calls For Newborn Photographers: Which Is The Right Type For You?

Model Calls For Newborn Photographers: Which Is The Right Type For You?

Jul 29, 2024 | APNPI Community

Written by: Katherine Katsenis

To me, newborn photography is a genre that either leaps out at you, or it doesn’t. I suppose this is true for any kind of photography, but I contend that newborn photography tugs at some of our heart strings a lot more than others.

To get going in newborn photography takes practice, and to practice, you need live models. Stand In Babies (SIBS) can only go so far. In this blog, I want to share with you the kind of model calls I used at various points in my 9 year career so far. My hope is this will give any newborn photographer some things to think about no matter how accomplished (or not) you are.

 

The Ethics of Newborn Model Calls

From the start, I always felt guilty asking to borrow a baby from new parents. Often, they have no idea what is involved in newborn photography; no idea that there is a short window for most popular poses. So, when I was super inexperienced, and was unskilled in how to pose, I felt that they were giving up a chance to get better photos by being my model.

You may be thinking, but some photos are better than none; that they likely had not planned on newborn photos anyway. I hope that was the case for those first 20 sessions I did as a total beginner.

My point is to be very upfront about your skill level. Let parents know that modeling for a beginning photographer can have its risks in terms of quality of imagery.

The Paid Model Call

While unpopular, this was the main kind of model call I used 9 years ago when I  literally had a Canon Rebel T3 and a continuous light from Amazon. I paid my parents for their time. In Los Angeles, where I am based, I offered $75 an hour plus all edited images I created from the session. The advantage of this is that the parents are working for you and you are paying them. This takes pressure off having to try and do certain poses, or use props the parent wants.

The disadvantage is the cost. As a beginner, my sessions took F O R E V E R…up to 5 hours. So that cost me about $375 per session to practice. Another disadvantage is that this person you are paying will probably not be a contender to be a future paying client. I am not sure why, but in all my years never did a model ever hire me. So, it could be that you are not building a network or client base if you pay your models. This may not seem like a big deal, but down the line, it makes a huge difference if you slowly build up your marketing  base. Having a starting list when you finally launch can help. By list, I mean emails, but also social media followers who will support you through comments and shares.

The Completely Free Model Call

This is what many people think of when they see the phrase “model call”.  The photographer does 90% of the work and the model gets EVERYTHING (all images)  for free.

The obvious advantage is that there is no out of pocket cost to you. However, these are some of the pitfalls I experienced with the F (free) word model call!

  1. A general lack of respect. Perhaps it was because I was a total beginner, my personality, or how I interacted with models, but I  noticed that many of them  did not respect my time, effort etc. Of course, I had some models who were just so grateful and courteous. Overall, I had more ghosted emails, more cancellations, and more no shows than any other type of model call. Again, I worked in Los Angeles, a large urban area with a lot of diversity in mores, languages, culture and so on. Communication can be difficult.
  2. HIgher Expectations: Free model call participants were more likely to ask for particular poses, props, colors or show me images on Pinterest that they wanted. Even though my contract explained this was a model call, that I had certain plans etc. This may not be a problem for you. In my case, I always had a certain plan  for each baby based on age and I found being assertive difficult.
  3. No  Financial Future: Models who got everything for free from you once, are highly unlikely to become a paying client. They will probably be happy to model for you again as their baby ages, so you can work on  your sitter and cake smash skills. Having images of the same baby newborn to the first b day is good to have for your portfolio. Let go of these models ever paying you. Instead, use them to your advantage to build your portfolio

The Hybrid Model Call

As your skills improve, you will start to be on the hook for monthly bills (web site, CRM software, Bookkeeping, mentoring, education, dues and subscriptions,). You need money. The hybrid model call is for intermediate or advanced newborn photographers. Offer the session and X number of complimentary images. If they want to purchase more, they are X amount each.

You may be thinking, why would I need to do a model call if I am intermediate or advanced? Because trends, props, and gear changes. Sometimes, you need to stop and practice with that new lens, see if you like using a dog bed as a posing table,  check out that new strobe etc. It is not a good idea to use these things for the first time at a paid session.

Using the hybrid model call, you can either bring your model back for an IPS session, or have them purchase additional images through your online gallery. This gives you a chance to practice your sales skills and client interactions. You can also start to get an idea about what kinds of products you may want to sell.

Gabby Chung has taken this model to  it’s ultimate with her $1000 Model Call

I made $1000 a few times doing this. But overall, my sales numbers were a lot lower. Probably because my model was not my “ideal client” and my sales skills are wobbly. But for the right person, this model call type can work wonders on your bank account.

Final Thoughts On Newborn Model Calls

Model calls are a great way to practice, for sure. BUt if I were to offer any advice, I would say that you should have a mentor first BEFORE you start model calls. Why? So that you can make adjustments early. In my first year as a newborn photographer, I  did 30  model calls in a summer. Sometimes 3 or 4 in a week. I barely had time to recuperate from one, and another came. Doing this caused some poor habits that were difficult to break.

I highly recommend debriefing  after each session with your mentor. Craft a plan of the elements you want to work on for each session and stick to it. You will improve faster, and not have to do so many model calls like I did.

Have a written agreement in place with each model. For me, models had to sign a model release, that was part of the deal. I outlined exactly how many images, in what formats (low res, high res)  they would get. This will save you when the model comes at you with, “But I thought we got ALL THE  UNEDITED IMAGES TOO”. And believe me, they will ask you for them.

 

Now go forth and collect your models. Have a plan. Stick to it. Practice and keep going. Some calls will be easy, some harder. Keep going. Cry and bask in Imposter Syndrome, but keep going. Keep going. Then one day, you will wake up and realize, “Hey, I made it. I’m an accomplished newborn photographer!”

Katherine Katsenis is certified professional photographer. She specializes in pregnancy, newborn and infant photography in Los Angeles. She has 2 dogs and was a special education teacher for 20 years.

See more of Katherine Katsenis at Panos Photography

Winner Feature – Marggie Duncan

Winner Feature – Marggie Duncan

Apr 22, 2024 | APNPI Community

Celebrating Creativity: Meet the 3rd Place Winner of the APNPI Image Competition Child Category

We’re thrilled to show off our 3rd place winner in the 2023 Autumn APNPI Image Competition for the Child Category.

Read on below to learn more about what inspired Marggie to enter and about her experience.

3rd Place Winner Newborn Category: Marggie Duncan

Business Name: BennyAni Photography

Located in: Lakeville, MN, USA

APNPI Competition 3rd Place Winner – Child Category | “Little But Fierce” by Marggie Duncan

 

Why did you decide to submit to the APNPI International Image Competition?

I love to challenge myself. This competition is a great way to see how my work stands against other in my industry.

 

What, if anything, did you learn about yourself through the process of image competition judging?

I learned to be super open to critique. It only helps to grow and become better at my skill. I learned not to take it personally.

 

What attracted you to APNPI’s International Image Competition? 

I love the feedback they give, the opportunity to watch the judging as it takes place, the professionalism of the judges and their honesty as well as APNPI as an organization.

 

Have there been any positive outcomes from your achievement?

Of course! My clients love to see things like this and assures them that they are hiring someone who is skilled in the industry.

 

What were you looking for when selecting images to submit to the image competition?

My best work! I looked at my lighting, focus, angles, positions. Mostly though, I looked at if the image spoke to me in anyway, if the image had an artistic voice.

 

What would you say to a member thinking about submitting imagery?

Absolutely do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Even if you don’t score high, it gives you an excellent starting point of where you are at compared to where you’d like to be. Don’t take the criticism to heart, take it and use it for growth. If it’s your first time, I also highly recommend in investing in the feedback component from the judges.

 

 

 

“I love the feedback APNPI gives, the opportunity to watch the judging as it takes place, the professionalism of the judges and their honesty as well as APNPI as an organization.”

~ Marggie xo

The Story Behind the Winning Images – Trayc Dudgeon

The Story Behind the Winning Images – Trayc Dudgeon

Apr 12, 2024 | APNPI Community

APNPI Competition 1st and 3rd Place Winner

1st place Child Category – “Simply Fascinating” by Trayc Dudgeon

3rd place Child Category – “Show Me Your Muscles” by Trayc Dudgeon

 

The Story Behind the Winning Image

Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in some of these amazing images, particularly those that are competition winners?

Come enjoy a peek inside the behind the scenes of these two images in another great video by Trayc Dudgeon… (then don’t forget to scroll all the way down to SEE the winning images!)

To see more of Trayc’s work:

https://blueroosterstudio.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/blueroosterstudio/

3rd place Child Category

3rd place Child Category – “Show Me Your Muscles” by Trayc Dudgeon


Trayc Dudgeon - APNPI Competition 1st Place Winner1st Place Child Category – “Simply Fascinating” by Trayc Dudgeon

To learn more: APNPI Image Competition

Did you know…

All members receive one free entry – so go ahead try it out, you have nothing to lose!

Each image is up for an award, whether it’s in the top 3 or not.  Every submission competes against itself to earn a Merit Award (score of 80 and above).

Merit Awards are prestigious accomplishments!  They denote a level that stands out above the Accreditation level.

Competing is an excellent way for members to sharpen their skills and elevate their work.

Members learn a ton from entering their images and receiving feedback from the judges.

For more info and to enter, visit: www.apnpi.com/image-competition