For the above shot, I knew I had to start out this session as I do all my newborns, by swaddling them tightly. At 2 months old, these quads were used to noise and crying after spending all that time in the NICU. And still at typical newborn weight of 6-8 lbs, they were still nice and sleepy under the right settings. I used a Jumbo square beanbag poser and after each one was wrapped, snuggled them in next to each other.
* I shoot with a Canon 6D and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I currently have a small daylight studio. With the window to the left of the photo, my settings are ISO 500, f4.0, 1/125sec.
For these twin boys, I used one of my favorite bread bowls. It’s perfect for twins because it keeps them nice and close together. By laying them inward toward each other, you can use that newborn ‘grasp’ to your advantage and let them squeeze each other’s hands.
Using that same bread bowl, only this time under that famous ivory flokati (from JD Vintage Props) rather than placing them both inward toward each other, this time with one just slightly over lapping the other. I tied a lace wrap around their lower halves so that way they could pose more natural, I could focus more on their hands, and I could worry less about their leg placement.
A nose to nose shot is always a great way to show off their individual profiles. If twins are wrapped and sleeping happily, use this as an opportunity to pose them together and then also with Mom (laying down on a flokati with one babe in each arm- see below photo) with Dad (one twin in each arm, as if each arm is a shelf) or laying down next to or in between siblings (see photo below)
** Notice how little you may need to do twin/multiple photography** Meaning two identical wraps, a bowl or box made for two that keeps them snug, and apparently an ivory flokati and you’re all set. Parents don’t expect you to have the latest and greatest newborn matching rompers or hat and pant sets. Although absolutely adorable, and certainly I have many of those, it’s all about getting great shots when dealing with multiples. If you haven’t photographed many multiples, it can be hard enough to keep one sleeping newborn in the right positions if they aren’t in a deep enough sleep, let alone two or more babies, so wrap them, get some great shots, and then work on the beanbag.
Speaking of beanbag…..
You can pose one twin on the bottom (either on his/her back, or tush up) and then use some of your receiving blankets or posing beanbags to help bump up the twin on top. Because this was towards the end of the session and they were both starting to stir more, I took this shot from up above as that was the best angle to see both faces well.
Stick with what you are comfortable with. Make sure to wrap the babies first and start by placing them in a box or bowl that fits them well but snug. You can easily then transfer them to a flokati rug, or use this opportunity to get photos with the rest of the family. You are guaranteed to feel more confident and have happy customers if you can deliver these photos and the rest is bonus. If it’s time for them to eat, take this as an opportunity for individual photos and have two separate bowls or your beanbag set up to get individuals while the other one takes a break to fill their belly.
Leigh Ann Cobb Photography
And this is me! Abby Jayne from Abby Jayne Photography. I am located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My passion in photography lands many moons ago when I was very young. I was obsessed with Anne Geddes. I wanted her books and calendars and notepads, anything! I didn’t actually throw myself into my passion until I received my first DSLR after graduating with my Masters in Physician Assistant Studies. I don’t know how many people actually do this, but I totally threw that CD that came with my Canon Rebel into my laptop and watched it. I knew nothing about camera settings but why have the camera if I didn’t know how to really use it. It’s not meant to be on Program its whole life. It completely blossomed from there. It helped that a photographer who did our 2nd child’s newborn photos was happy to share with me how she started out. I immediately bought a 50mm 1.4 and an inexpensive top flash and kept climbing. I started shooting anything and everything. I offered free services even to a yoga business just starting up so they could enlarge some prints for their walls. And the rest is history. My passion for newborns will always thrive from that initial spark as a little girl.
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