ok so i have done several baby shoots but always using natural light - however, i have a new born session next week and i want to use a softbox set up -

my question is - i'm just going to use one light/one softbox - will this hurt the baby? please dont laugh if this is a really silly question - but i just dont want the light to hurt the baby's eyes.

Not a dumb question - I read somewhere that you shouldn't use a flash with babies under six months so I don't unless I bounce. But...babies get flashes in their eyes all the time by their parents and I haven't heard of them being harmed. Anyway...not sure what to tell you ...but not a dumb question.

I always use a softbox on babies. Ideally it is great if they are sleeping, and they hardly notice. If they are awake, they usually get a confused look, and kind of scrunch up their face a little. I have never heard that you shouldn't use a flash on a baby.

We always use lights with babies. I wouldn't worry about it.

It's not a stupid question, it shows genuine concern and that's good! It doesn't do any harm, but it can be kind of irritating to the baby. Just see how he/she reacts and adjust accordingly.

+1

After all these decades of parents taking pictures of their babies we would know if direct flash in the eyes caused problems, so I think you're safe using umbrella/bounced/softbox light.

About 4 years ago (wow, has it been that long?!) we hired a photographer to take some family and baby shots with out 6 month old. She also liked to use natural light, but had just got a 60" shoot-through thingy and wanted to give it a try. After the first flash my little one was so intrigued by the big bright flashy thing that he spent the rest of the session staring at it until the photographer gave up on the strobe and took it down.

I wondered about if a flash would bother the baby even if it is bounced. But I maybe it depends on the baby?

well thanks everyone, i feel more comfortable now - the mom wants a very artistic type shoot instead of the basics so i wanted to use lighting.

damn tami... I knew you were hard core but shooting BABIES?! CRIPES!

sorry had to do it.

I have never flashed a baby

just doesn't seem natural.

I giggled when i read that.

Personally, I don't see the sport in it until they are older and a little faster.

Good. Then my my mission here is complete.

I love when this thread gets bumped because the title makes me giggle.

TARGET PRACTICE?


i recently hurt my ankle, so until it heals, babies it is..... they crawllll oh sooooo slow.....

i tink youve posted a valid question and had some some good feedback including the humor (i was thinking of going there but others beat me to it)

personally I use either a softbox or shoot through umbrella with continuos light (yes Im one of THOSE people hehe ) I try not to use my speedlight for the exact same reasons you and others listed. Good luck with your research and baby shots!

I use continuos lights with umbrellas and this is one place where they are an asset. Most babies (especially newborns) like to keep warm so the heat these lights provide might drive you and me nuts, but the babies love it. Mine are rigged with a dimmer so I can totally control output. Hope that helps.

I do a lot of newborn sessions, I mainly use natural light but when a flash is required I use the Gary Fong Lightsphere (or the Fong Dong as I call it ) I hate using flash, but until I can get my hands on a softbox set up this works well for me.

I have a few up on my blog at the moment, so check them out if you like.