This contest is now over. The winner is Laura Van Ravenswaay – entry #2205. We appreciate all who entered. Come back soon for more great newborn photography tips and help. And future contests too.
This is the ultimate giveaway for newborn photographers! Win more than $1,200 worth of hats, wraps, accessories, an Ottoman Posing Beanbag, and a backdrop and flooring. Whether you are a professional photographer or just getting starting in your journey to photograph newborns and babies, this prize package has the perfect assortment of goodies. And best yet, entering is easy. Just answer one of two questions we have for you – read on for details.
Introducing the prizes and our wonderful hosts of the contest:
After the Bump is giving away: $600+ worth of newborn photography props and accessories from their store.
Shoot Baby is giving away an Ottoman Posing Beanbag and a three pack of waterproof pads. $130 value.
Rock the Drops is giving away a two 60×72″ poly backdrops and one 60×72″ dura floor backdrop. $450 value.
+ Shipping from After the Bump and Rock the Drops is included anywhere in the United States; shipping from Shoot Baby is included anywhere in the world! If you are outside the United States, you may still enter, but will be asked to cover taxes and tariffs as required by law and shipping for the two vendors indicated.
How to enter the contest:
- For seasoned newborn photographers: add a comment telling us your best piece of advice for photographing babies or editing images of newborns.
- For those who are fairly new to photographing newborns: list one question you have for a professional photographer who focuses on newborns.
Extra entries:
Winner will be announced:
- On our blog Sunday evening, 5/6/12. The winner will be selected by either random drawing – or – my twins may pick the winning number (also pretty much random). And I will add the winner’s name to the top of this post.
Prize details:
Many people like myself are addicted to props. I get asked many times where I find my newborn photography props and how I choose them. I consider prop shopping a hobby. My favorite places to find unique props include TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Pier 1 Imports, Tuesday Morning, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn’s, and Thrift stores or antique markets.
Keep it simple! Remember you don’t want to compete with your subject. Newborns are tiny and delicate and they should be the focus of your image not the prop.
1. Wraps: I have several gauze wraps and use them at each newborn session. Wraps are great for starting out a session. In general most newborns love to be wrapped. Many babies don’t like to have their hands and feet free and the wrap gives them some comfort and security. If you have a newborn that is awake wrapped shots are also a great way to get them posed nicely with their eyes open. For those who are not comfortable with having their newborns posed in their birthday suits, wraps are a great alternative to clothing.
2. Blankets: I am addicted to blankets and fabrics! I love choosing blankets that have texture and that are soft to the touch. I never place a baby on a blanket or fabric that is rough. I also always choose blankets or fabrics that can be washed easily. I wash all of my blankets and fabrics after each use. I also try to choose textured blankets that will not compete with the baby. Some of my favorite blankets are very simple. My favorite place to shop for blankets is Home Goods, Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx.
3. Faux Furs: I love faux fur in baskets and crates. Their soft texture can be very comfortable for a baby to sleep on. They can also be used as flooring and photograph beautifully. There many places online that offer faux fur for sale by the yard. I wash all of my furs after each use and hang them to dry.
4. Hats: I am a hat addict! During the beanbag portion of my session I will always photograph a newborn without a hat on first. Once I get the image I usually place a cute hat or a sweet little headband (if it’s a girl) on their head. I always show what I am about to use to the parents to get their opinion since it is their baby and they are the ones who are going to purchase the images. I use hats that are very soft and stretchy. When using hats I try to use a simple blanket so that the portrait is not too busy. My favorite hat maker is After the Bump.
5. Crates: Wooden crates are very versatile. They can be used with a piece of fabric or fur in them and the baby can be posed on their back, in a wrap on their back or on their tummy with their head on their arms. They are usually around $20 each and one of my favorite go to props.
6. Baskets: There are so many different types of baskets and so many ways to use them. They can be used with fur or fabric and the babies can be placed in them in so many ways.
Same basket used two different ways.
7. Wooden boxes and buckets: These are another great way to pose babies with their head on their hands.
Important things to consider when shopping for props:
Make sure that there are no sharp edges or anything that could be dangerous to a newborn. NEVER place a newborn in anything made of glass. Make sure that the prop does not sit too high off the ground. Be cautious when buying antique items as many of these items may contain lead paint, which can be harmful to newborns.
Important things to remember when posing newborns with props:
NEVER leave a newborn unattended without someone spotting them within arms length. If you are placing a newborn in a bucket or in baskets always make sure that there is a weight in the bottom of it so that they don’t tip over. The weight should weigh more than what the baby weighs.
Always make sure that the prop is lined with something very soft and comfortable and that the newborn is NEVER resting on a hard or wooden surface and that their skin is never in direct contact with the prop. Newborn skin is very sensitive.
I always start with the beanbag poses first and then move to the prop shots. I usually only do 1-3 prop set ups per session. I tend to do them last since the newborns are sleeping more soundly at that point. I NEVER place an awake baby in a prop. I also always talk to the parents about which props are their favorites.
Be creative! You don’t have to spend a fortune on props. Some of my favorite props have been free. I have used things such as a real tree stump to a dresser drawer stuffed with faux fur.
Prop shots can be very fun just remember safety first!
Memories by TLC is a fine art portrait studio specializing in newborns, young children and maternity portraits. Website | Facebook
April was a fun and productive month for Project MCP. The Project MCP Team really enjoyed perusing the Flickr gallery and seeing your interpretations of the challenges.
This week we are going to surpass the highlights and go straight to the main event! May is almost here and the weather is getting warmer in certain parts of the world. It’s the perfect time to get outside and explore your surroundings.
Challenge #1 – Illustrate the following word in a photo: Neighborhood
Challenge #2 – Sunny Day – Capture a photo with sunflare
Challenge #3 - Illustrate the following word in a photo: Friend
Challenge #4 – Get moving – Take a photo using motion blur
Challenge #5 - One click – Don’t cheat. Think twice, click once - Show us your first shot
* To learn more about how submissions work, visit the Project MCP home page.
May is going to be a big month for Project MCP, not only are we offering five challenges, we are offering you the opportunity to win this awesome prize:
Imagine winning a brand new lens for your d-SLR camera. You will NOT want to miss your opportunity to own the Tamron 17-50mm Lens. See details below to learn how!
The Prize:
Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 Lens for Nikon or Canon (may be substituted for the 28-75mm in Canon, Nikon or Sony mount if you have a full frame camera)
To Enter:
- Submit photos for Project MCP. We have 5 themes for May. You can have up to five entries for this contest: one for each theme. After you upload to the Flick Group or our Facebook Wall, add a comment on this post for each photo and link directly to the photo. That’s all you need to do to enter.
Bonus Entry:
- Add a Project MCP Banner to your blog or website and get an extra entry. Leave a bonus comment below saying, “I have your banner here: ______” (link the site where the banner is located).
*** PLEASE ONLY LEAVE CONTEST ENTRY COMMENTS ON THIS POST. Do not add random comments. Thank you!
Contest Rules:
Winner will be picked via random drawing on the morning of Saturday, June 2nd and announced on the Project MCP Post on the MCP Blog. Odds are winning are 1/# of entries. Valid only where permitted by law.
Tamron USA Inc, the sponsor of this contest, is responsible for sales and marketing in the USA only. If you win and live outside the USA, Tamron will ship to us first and we will then send it to you. Those outside the US are responsible for the shipping costs as well as any duties, taxes, or tariffs.
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