Behind the Scenes with Bear Brown

This is a behind the scenes look of my photo shoot with brand new baby, Bear Brown. See his photos Here.

We took the photos at her house, which is my preference. She turned up the heat and was able to keep her new baby boy happy and comfortable. Those intimate moments with mother and son would have been lost in my home studio, and sister would not have been ready to join at a moments notice. I was also able to capture special memories of home.

All I brought with me was a basket with wrapping paper (Black and white), a soft blanket, and a fuzzy rug (well cleaned before the shoot).

We set up a “Wrapping Paper” studio in her living room using her large glass sliding doors as our Window light. Because no direct light was hitting our studio area, there was no need for a sheer curtain or diffuser. We put the fuzzy rug on her ottoman with the wrapping paper hanging from her kitchen chairs behind for all of the pictures except the basket pictures. We ended up using the soft white blanket for the backdrop with the basket since it was an off white that worked better with the off white fuzzy rug and it turned out perfect.

Most of the shoot, however, was done in Anne’s bedroom which will make for pictures with more meaning and more memories later on. Anne had 2 big windows on each side of her bed and we used a white reflector to get the light onto Bear. With just the windows and reflector alone we were able to get back lighting, subject main lighting, and fill light and it was perfect. No artificial light or light shinning down on baby. Everyone stayed happy.

All the other props used in the shoot belonged to the Brown Family, which made them that much more special. Bear was snuggling his own stuffed animal, he wore his big brother’s tie, he rested on his blanket from Grandma, and he slept on a book written by his grandfather (whose last name was Bear). 

We allowed Bear to stay awake during the exciting shoot in the living room, then after being fed again, he slept peacefully during the remaining of the shoot in Mommy's bed with the space heater. Because he was more tired then usual, his deep sleep allowed up to pose him for his pictures. Although some of our favorite pictures came from him posing himself. He was a happy sleeping baby.

Ben worked with me and made my day so much easier. He held the reflector, unloaded and loaded the equipment, help set up, and answered my every request. So grateful for this man!