Studio lighting for newborns | What lighting equipment to use | Daniela Ursache

When it comes to newborn photography, lighting is one of the most important aspects of getting perfect photos. You have to love, understand and master the light correctly when shooting newborn babies.

All you want is to obtain that beautiful soft, and natural-looking light. As a baby photographer, you have mainly two options – natural and studio light.

Natural light is constantly changing, so it takes a lot more work than studio lighting. However, nothing compares to capturing that gentle, pure look of newborn portraits by using natural light. There is something special about them.

On the other hand, studio lighting is consistent, and you don’t have to worry about the weather. So, it all depends on your style, skills, and experience.

Why studio lighting?

Over the years, I have learned how to create that soft, diffused light during newborn sessions, managing to adapt it to my style. While natural light is difficult to control and is not consistent, studio light is more flexible. It can be easily adjusted in intensity and can be moved through the studio to get the look you want.

Furthermore, you can photograph babies at any time of the day, regardless of the weather. For example, on rainy or dark days, you can use the studio light. In this way, you will be able to follow your predetermined schedule, and you will avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Consistency is very important in newborn photography, and artificial light allows you to have the same lighting in all your photos. A constant portfolio in approach, style, and message will attract customers and give them a solid reason to choose you for their baby photoshoot.

Less stress. Because you know what the light will look like, you can focus more on the baby's comfort, posing, or communicating with parents. At the same time, perfect studio lighting will help you save energy, improve each frame, and boost your self-confidence.

How do we choose the light equipment?

I've always thought that you can't get proper lighting without a high-performance light source. Therefore, the real challenge is not to find a powerful flash, but one that allows you to use it at a low intensity. Why is low intensity important? Because portraits with newborn babies require wide open apertures.

I use the Einstein lighting kit dedicated to newborn photography. I like it because it gives you everything you need for your photo sessions: flash, light stand, umbrella, diffusion fabric, trigger, and other useful accessories. I got the Einstein E640 flash after many searches and tests, and now I really enjoy using it. It allows me to photograph at wide-open apertures and completely suits my style and my needs.

"Wherever there is light, one can photograph." - Alfred Stieglitz

The light is the one that accentuates the tenderness and beauty of babies, but also the one that helps you reach perfection in your creations. To fully enjoy its creative power, I advise you to practice and test lighting equipment until you reach the best results.

About the photographer

Hi, I am Daniela Ursache, a professional newborn photographer, and mentor with a dedicated newborn photography studio located in Bucharest, Romania. Photography is my full-time profession, and capturing babies in their first few weeks of life is my absolute passion. Even though I specialize in newborn photography, I also take baby and fine art children portraits.

I fell in love with newborn photography in 2013, when I had my baby boy. Since then, I have spent a lot of time specializing and perfecting myself.

I love natural and simple portraits, soft and neutral colours, allowing babies to be the focus of every image.I love travel, coffee, vegetarian food, babies, beautiful people, and spending time with my son. He is my greatest joy and inspiration. (you can take this part out if it's not ok)

Most of the truly valuable stuff I know, I taught myself through constant research and practice. That’s why I believe hard work, determination, and the desire to keep learning and grow are the key elements of a successful and happy career.

Mentoring has also been a big passion of mine. Over the past seven years, I have mentored over 200 photographers from Romania, Germany, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, India, France, and the U.S.

I have done lots of small group workshops and mentoring sessions, and I’ve recently started to be a speaker at important events in the photography industry.

My passion and work have been rewarded over the years. The most beautiful surprise was the

‘Newborn Photographer of the Year 2018’ award offered by those from AFNS AWARDS.

I am a member of the NPC jury – Newborn Photographer Community and have the opportunity to vow images of photographers from around the world.

I have worked with natural light for many years, but because it is inconsistent and I could only use it in the morning, I had to use a flash. The real challenge was to find a flash with a very soft light,

that would help me to recreate the natural light. After trying several brands, I came up with the Einstein flash. It is ideal for my style and photography of the newborn."

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