I frequently get emails and Facebook messages asking for tips on my newborn setup. Since I so enjoyed looking at pull back shots when I was first learning, I thought I’d share a little bit of the love and do a pull back blog post from my latest session.
This was a very tight space, so it’s not quite as ‘pulled back’ as I would like, but you get the idea
I shoot 100% on-location with natural light, so I sometimes have to squeeze into some very tight corners to find the best light. This particular apartment completely gorgeous (and literally RIGHT next to the beach) with lovely natural light.
Please feel free to post questions (if you have them!) in the comments and I’ll be happy to answer them. Hope this helps some of you budding newborn photographers out there.
PS Backdrop stand and ottoman bean bag both from http://www.shootbaby.com.au (or http://www.shootbaby.com for you Americans out there).
And resulting shot (what a cutie!!) -
You can see more newborn images from Erin Elizabeth Photography HERE. Thanks, all!
Layering the background blankets is kind of genius. Ha. That never occurred to me but would be so much easier than stopping between each setup to hang a new blanket. If you don’t mind me asking, why 6 blankets underneath on top of the beanbag?
Yes, MUCH easier, Teri. I gently lift up baby, mum or dad grabs blanket and flips it over the stand, and I set baby back down. The whole thing takes less than two seconds.
To answer your question, the 6 base blankets are there to make a firmer base on top of my bean bag and boppy pillow. I want everything to look nice and smooth and prevent that lumpy look. Base blankets help tremendously with that
Makes a lot of sense! Thank you! I have another one for ya though… Are you using just one side of the backdrop stand? How does that work? It doesn’t look like you have both up. Am I just seeing it wrong?
It’s a special backdrop stand that is made specifically for newborn blankets, so there’s only one ‘side’ if that make sense. You can see it here –
http://www.shootbaby.com.au/backdrop-stands/single-backdrop-boom-stand/prod_122.html
Love that thing!
AWESOME!!! Thank you!! I have never seen that before either. Very helpful post.
Thanks for sharing! Beautiful photo!
Thankyou sooooo much for sharing… I just bought my ottoman from Shoot Baby and will be trying it out this weekend… I am sorry I didn’t get the stand now… Is the heater still necessary in the hot weather we are having in QLD lately ?? I still have my “L” plates on and am experimenting…
Thanks…
Sorry… Also which app sound do you/babies prefer ???
Hi Kerryn. Yes, most definitely consider the stand in the future. It is great! Although I did get by fine with backs of chairs for a long time
As for the heater, it depends on how hot it is. We had a ridiculous heat wave down here in Sydney a few weeks ago (around 40 and HUMID every day). I ended up using the heater for the first few minutes to get baby to sleep, but then turned it off as we were all melting to death. However if it’s below 30 degrees out, I have it on all the time. It has to be very VERY warm for them to sleep well.
And for the apps, I normally use the Stream Water Flowing sound, because I find that one the loudest, but any one will probably do. I’ve also had to resort to turning on the vacuum for an entire session when a baby wouldn’t sleep! It worked though
Also, forgot to add that you need to be super careful with the heater. I’m constantly checking that it’s not too hot or too close to baby’s skin. Self-explanatory, I know, but I thought it should be noted
GREAT pullback shot & details! Thank you so much, Erin!!
I can’t thank you enough for showing your whole set up. I love when photographers share how they create their “majic”
And the result is absolutely gorgeous!!
Love seeing your pullback! Thank you so much for sharing! Your work is so gorgeous :love:
So helpful!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the pullback, and the end shot is beyond perfect! Adorable!
I love the pullback shots! What a gorgeous end result!
Your work is just beautiful! So very generous of you for sharing your set up tips.
Thank you so much Erin for sharing this with us all, greatly appreciated:) looking forward to hearing back from you about mentoring:)
Thanks so much for these shots…so, so helpful and explains a lot of questions I had! Love your work
Thank you so much for sharing this, I have my first newborn session coming up this week and seeing your pullback photos has given me a few kind tips. I am also hoping to provide on location newborn photography but for rural families in Western QLD so this has been really insightful for me.
Q’s for the B&W hands holding baby photographs do you just use your newborn back drop or do you also lug around a large back drop with black paper or something?
Also with the ottoman did you just fill the bottom big section or both. I have just filled mine today and not sure how firm it should be to work with? Just wanted to get an idea of what others have done as it seem a little to firm when I put the recommended amount in and a little soft when I just leave it as the bottom?
I have been thinking of writing a list of poses I want to achieve and maybe a pose book or something in case I start to panic and forget what I am doing – have clients every thought this was strange when you have bought a list out??
Oh and thanks again!! You and your career are a little inspiration to me.
Thanks, all!
Linda, to answer your questions, I have black fleece that I use for all the ‘baby in dad’s hands’ pictures. I then darken the blacks in the fleece in post-production to make them uniform. I don’t use (or have!) any seamless paper, although I’d like to get some eventually.
I filled both sections in my Shoot Baby ottoman bean bag. I like a very firm bean bag, and it is PERFECT when both sections are filled.
And no, clients haven’t thought it was weird that I have my list of poses…or at least if they did, they haven’t told me! I don’t mind if they think it’s weird anyway. It helps me stay organised
Good luck with all of your newborn work!
I LOVE your newborn photography and you are SO gifted at it! You are truly an inspiration!
Just wondering what kind of lens you generally use when you shoot newborn sessions? Thanks for your help!!
Oh, sorry, Christine! I missed your question! I use my Canon 35mm 1.4L for almost all of my newborn sessions. Although I am planning on getting the Canon 50mm 1.2L soon, so I’ll see how much I like that one too
Hi Erin, I’m so glad I found your blog. I love your work, you are very talented. I just have one question, what do you do if an “accident” happens when the baby is on top of all the blankets? :0). Thank you for sharing this, it is very helpful! Genny
Hi Genny. Thank you so much for the compliments! I usually put dog wee pads every other blanket, so if there is a massive wee, then it doesn’t soak through all of them. Obviously, if baby poos a ton, then that blanket is done
Poo rarely leaks through to the next layer though, so we just clean baby, flip to the next blanket and move on.
Thank you for sharing your setup Erinn, super helpful.
I’m in love with your work! It’s amazing. I am just starting up my baby photo biz and love looking at your fb page and blog. Your pull back shots are very helpful. I have been having trying to do the hands under chin pose at every session but haven’t had much luck. Do you have any suggestions? I have a puck beanbag and then place the Boppy on top then blanket. But just haven’t been able to get the pose down. Any advice would be great. Lighting is also tricky for me at times. I like family shots by a window but the subjects tend to be underexposed at times. I usually shot with about a 45 degree angle from the window/sunlight. Sorry! I’m asking way too much. Thanks again! Check out my fb page too if you’d like. I have only phtographed about 6 clients so far. And most have been family or friends. I love this job!
Appreciate seeing scenes such as this and thank you for your spirit of kindness and sharing. I’ve been photographing seriously for 15 years and only now (in very late middle age) attempting what so many young female photogs are doing so well – a home studio for child portraits. Unfortunately I don’t have a wonderful window of soft light like yours, but have learned to use off-camera flash with softbox/umbrella to replicate natural light. Your tips on blanket layering and waterproofing (as well as endorsement of the stand and the ottoman) are fabulous. Thank you again. Love your work, admire your talent.
My apologies, Erin. Have just read further on your site and blog and realise your studio is portable, not in your home. That makes your tips even more valuable – am doing my first on site newish-born shoot this weekend (12 days old). Hope they have a good window! Many thanks again and all the best for future projects.
Hi There, Love the advice, thanks for sharing! Quick question, I’m just starting out and looking to purchase backdrop materials and wondering in your experience, what the best size is to use?
Would you share your posing ideas?
Hi Erin, Why do you use the boppy pillow and the shoot bag together ? I thought only the shootbag is necessary ! How big is your boppy pillow ?
Thanks s lot
PS: When you use your 35mm 1,4, what is your standard aperture?
Apologies for the ridiculous delay with responses on this! It’s been a busy few weeks here at Erin Elizabeth Photography
I’ll go through them now.
Erin O’Keefe – the hands under the chin pose is a composite shot (most of the time). I take one with mom holding baby’s chin and wrists, and another with mom holding the top of baby’s head. Then I put them together in PS
As far as lighting, just watch your histogram. If you are underexposing, you need to fix your settings. I always shoot at apertures of around 1.6 – 1.8, shutter speeds of 1/250 or faster, and as low ISO as I can get. Hope that helps!
Hi Stacy – I have a lot of fabric from the fabric store, and I find that 2 yards/meters will do the trick. I have a few blankets that are smaller (170cm I think) and they still work, but don’t give me a lot of extra room.
Hi Sandy – I’m not sure what you mean by posing ideas. Could you be more specific? I’d love to help you out
Hi Karo,
The shoot baby ottoman bean bag is just the base. It’s relatively firm and flat. But I use towels (I usually don’t use the boppy nowadays) to push up certain parts of the blankets for each pose. For example, this shot had towels underneath baby’s head and baby’s feet, so that she was all scrunched up.
My aperture is almost always 1.6 – 1.8 for newborn shoots.
Hope that helps, everyone!
I guess I was thinking about how you compose your notebook. Anything I do to try to tip myself off to remember something, if it is just words I end up having no idea what I am talking about when reading it later, lol.
Thanks for your feedback! Do you use a 50mm 1.4 lens? I have been using 50mm 1.8 but would someday love the 1.2!
Geez! Never mind. just read previous posts! I have 1.2 lens envy too!
Hi Erin,
This is by far the best explained site I have ever seen. I love your photos.
When you put the bean bag in 45 degrees where would the sun be? I am going to do a shoot in my condo and I have a LOT of light and sun.
Thank you so much!
Hi Erin,
I apologize that I emailed you earlier without reading your posted comments here. Most all my questions were answered. I have to say thank you soo much for sharing. I just started doing newborns and I looove it (and them!). I don’t know how you get your fabric/blankets soo perfect. I bought an off white fleece that I tried to use yesterday. I also used a boppy underneath and the gathered wrinkles were insane on final shots. A lot of PS post-editing. Ugghh! ANy suggestions?
Thank you so much for sharing this, it is invaluable to us noobs and so completely wonderful and generous of you to share! My questions;
What is/are your preferred time(‘s) of day to shoot? (winter/summer? I’m 2 hrs south of Syd, same time zone and light as you!))
Which way is the room usually orientated? (north/south/east/west) and does this change for different times of day/year?
Do you use a tripod?
how do you cope with a dismally dark winter day in a house with small windows? Just a longer shutter on a tripod?
Thank you so very much for helping us out!!! One day I hope to pay it forward!
Hi Erin,
Love your work and your website. May I ask who designed it? Is it expensive?
Kind Regards
Simone
I notice you shoot at 1.8 for almost all your photos- how can I master this without losing focus? or how do YOU master this?
xx
Erin
Wow wow wow … how incredibly generous of you to share this information with us. Thank you. The amount of times I have hoped on a professional photogs blog site hoping to pick up a snippet of this information! And here you are providing me with answers to almost every question I can think of. Hoorah! May life bring you your bliss. Kris x
And then I think of a question! Do you use any particular actions/photoshop to post edit? Especially to get the creamy skin tones
Hi Erin, I love your work and I also use a Canon (5D) but am thinking to get a Mark II and didn’t know if this is what you use or not. I have a 24-105 lens and a 50mm f/1.4 but I’ve been told I should get a 24-70 (sharper I hear). so I was thinking of selling my 5D and 24-105. Any recommendations??
You can email me if you’d like.
Thanks so much!
Hi Erin! Thanks for the wonderful post! Where did you get that fabulous white, furry blanket? I have been trying to find one but all I can find are small rugs. Any help would be appreciated!
Hi Erin. I am just setting myself up to do children’s photography on location. I would also love to do baby photos. I am so inspired by your website and photos and grateful that you share your knowledge.
do you have any suggestions for posing babies prior to me getting a ottoman from ShootBaby (I actually live in the same town as them so will def by one once I get up and running). Just saving expenses til I actually get a paid shoot!!!
I assume a normal beanbag not as good? Want to keep baby safe…… Or will I just go the lounge or bed option until I can afford the ottoman and stand????
I am definitely coming to Sydney one day to do your workshop…
Kind regards
could u give me tip in posing babies on stomach and mayb seriously critique my work?! ill post my fb page anyone with adive & critisizm plz give me some!!! ohh and im juss getting my bean bag in a few days
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tmtphotography/113530545348093
Also im gettin a luxe fur rug thing how big should it be for my newborns when i use a boppy nd the beanbag?!
Hi Erin,
Thank you so much for sharing such valuable tips on photographing newborns. I first noticed your amazing work through a link from ‘The Newborn Posing Pod’ on facebook I just love seeing your posts everyday, and often look to your pictures for inspiration in my own photography. I would like to know if you offer newborn posing classes that incorporate post editing etc? as I could really use some help in that area of my photography. Or could you maybe recommend a course or a link to find out more about photoshop tutorials etc.
Kindest regards,
Janice
Awesome!!! You rock!!!
AWESOME SHARING!!!! I struggle with how to get the wrinkles out of my blankets particularly when I use a boppy underneath. Sounds like I can use extra blankets to create a firmer base. Any other tips? Looks like your blanket is very thick perhaps that helps vs. fabric or loosely knit blankets. Found you on pinterest!!
Hi, I am starting my own infant photography business and i was wondering if there was a possible way to make your own backdrop stand? I’m not going to be working from home, I will be traveling to the customers home and would need something easily assembled or foldable.
Regarding my last comment, I went to a music store with my husband as he was looking at guitar stuff and my eyes came across a On Stage Stands Euroboom Microphone Stand. Its pretty much exactly the same as the backdrop stand on Shoot Baby. It was only $38.
Thank you so much for sharing your tips & giving advice.! I’m about to start taking newborn & family photos this coming weekend. I am so nervous but this is what I’ve been dreaming of for such a long time. In some instances, I have found asking for advice from some professional photographers on how to “get that look” like drawing blood from a stone. I honestly can’t thank you enough for your help! Xxxx
Hey Guys! I have emailed many of you answers to your questions, but I realised that none of those answers showed up here, so I thought I’d quickly go through some of them
Sandy, I actually don’t use my notebook anymore because everything has sort of become second nature! But I must say that it was very helpful in the beginning when I wanted to remember what poses were best on what blankets, and with what props, etc.
Erin, I actually use the 35mm 1.4L for on location newborn sessions. It allows me to squeeze into some tight spots, which is invaluable when you are working in unfamiliar spaces! Once my studio is built, I will likely be investing in the 50mm 1.2L.
Zane, I make sure there is never direct sun on my bean bag or subject. If there is no way to avoid direct sun, I use a white sheet over the window to diffuse it.
Tanya, I try to find blankets that don’t wrinkle too terribly. And if they do, I iron them beforehand and smooth smooth smooth once I am working with them. I’m like a crazy person making sure the blanket is as perfect as possible in camera so I don’t have to photoshop it all.
More to come in the next comment…
Amy, I prefer to shoot in the middle of the day all year round. I use whatever window gives me the best light in the house, which is different everywhere I go. I don’t use a tripod and keep my shutter speed above 1/250 to avoid camera shake. If it’s dark, I just have to increase my ISO to compensate.
Simone, my website was designed by Andrea from thatskindacool.com . I highly recommend her services…she is fantastic! It was not horribly expensive and worth every penny.
Melissa, I manually select my focal point and make sure it is on baby’s eye. I then try to line up all the important bits in my shot so that what I want to be in focus, IS actually in focus
Kris, thank you so much!! To answer your question, no I don’t use any actions in photoshop. I prefer to do things my own way
But I do use a filter called Imagenomic Portraiture for skin smoothing on newborn skin. I love it 
More to come in the next comment…
Heather, I was using a Canon 5DmkII, but have since gotten a 5DmkIII (which I love). I have the 35L, 50 1.4, and 85L. I used to have the 24-70L, but found prime lenses to be sharper, so I ended up selling it.
Kristy, I got the fur from Fabric Depot in the USA (and paid a fortune to get it shipped over here!!).
Kylie, while I LOVE my Shoot Baby ottoman bean bag, I used a target bean bag for at least a year before getting the ottoman. It wasn’t as easy to work with, but it’s perfectly usable if you don’t have the funds right away for a ottoman style bean bag.
Tessa, my backdrop blankets are usually between 1.6 and 2m…that allows me plenty of room to work with
Janice, I do offer workshops and 1:1 mentoring. If you check out my facebook page (facebook icon link is at the top of this page) I should have details up in the next month or so (as soon as we get settled in Perth).
More to come in the next comment…
Jeanette, THANK YOU!!
Pam, I just use quite a few thick ‘base’ blankets…keeps things nice and smooth on top, even with thinner material
Denise, unless you are experienced with building this sort of thing, I wouldn’t recommend making your own stand, particularly when you will be working with tiny newborns. A microphone stand is also NOT the same thing and is most definitely not safe. The Shoot Baby stand folds up very small (I travel to my clients’ homes as well and have never had a problem!) and is very easy to assemble. I definitely recommend spending the extra money to get a safe product like the Shoot Baby stand.
Hannah, you are most welcome! Thank you for your lovely comment
Hope that helps, everyone!!
Hi Erin
Love your work, wish I had your great knowledge of the camera settings, lighting, poses etc. I have a problem that when I am taking pics of a new born I find if I focus on the eyes sometimes the noce and lips are out of focus, why is this??? Can you give my any tips to make sure the whole face is in focus. You pics are so sharp, how do you get them so sharp?
Hi Erin, after seeing your pull back pic on fb, was thrilled to see all these questions & your answers. It has helped me a tremendous amount. I have been photography bubs for 18 mths now & have learnt more just reading all your feedback. Thankyou so much. Would be interested in your mentoring program? I will keep an eye out on fb for your info. Thanks again, you are a remarkable woman & hopefully one day I will be able to pass on such amazing knowledge. <3
Hi Erin, I really love your works!!! It has motivating me to start my photography life, you are my idol to learn from and wish one day I can attend your workshop in Perth:) I would like to buy canon 5D mark lll too…but just wonder which lens should I invest first, 50mm,f1.2 or 35mm,f1.4? I love to take my baby photo, should more to portrait style. ?
Thanks so much for all the tips Erin. It’s really great to get some helpful advice when starting out.
I just had a quick question about your macro shots. Do you use f/1.8 on your macro lens? I am having a really hard time getting my focus with this lens. Do you have any tips?
Hi Erin,
I’m wanting to start my own portable newborn studio. What do you do if there’s no big windows letting in a lot of light? Do you also take lighting with you?
Thanks!
Hey your pictures are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing. Just wondering do you ever use reflectors at all? I took newborn pictures for a friend a couple weeks ago and the home was so very dark even next to the window I ended up using flash…big no no with newborns so I understand! I bounced it off the wall and the pictures came out decent (mom was thrilled so thats what counts!) but it got me thinking about how to best face this problem if it comes up again! I have a canon T1i and was using my canon 35mm 1.4 lens…. my husband suggested I might have better luck if we invested in a better camera but I thought maybe a reflector would do the trick? Any insight is appreciated I’m doing some for another friend next week! Thank you!!
Hi Erin
love the pic! I was wondering if you can share the dimensions of your blankets?
Also, what happens if the baby goes to the bathroom on the blanket doesn’t it soak through to the other blankets? Also, does baby dodo stain?
thanks
[...] been a very very long time since I’ve posted a pullback shot (you can see the last one HERE), mostly because I always forget to take them! I finally remembered at a session this week, so I [...]
Hi Erin
What do you use to prop up both babies head and bum, so back is slightly arched downward and you get those cute little rolls on the side of their tummy.I’ve tried rolling up blankets putting under head , but I never get it right for the bottom.
Thanks
Lisa
Hi Erin, Where do you purchase your knit stretch wraps? Thanks!
Do you have a post with another pull back shot? I saw the comment above about another one, but can’t click on with link “HERE”. You have the most natural light photos I have ever seen. Just beautiful…
Never mind…I realized what I was doing wrong…I found it