Photography grain refers to the visible texture or graininess in an image, often caused by the film or sensor sensitivity capturing the light. While some may view grain as a flaw, others appreciate it as an artistic element that adds character and emotion to a photograph.
The presence of grain can create a vintage or gritty aesthetic, enhancing the mood and style of the image. Whether intentional or unintentional, the use of grain in photography can evoke a sense of nostalgia or rawness, adding a unique dimension to the visual storytelling. Photographers may choose to embrace or reduce grain through various techniques during shooting or post-processing, ultimately shaping the final look and feel of their work.
One thing about photographing newborn sessions completely indoors, using only window light, is the fact that there may be some "grain" in the images. Since I am a natural light shooter the window light is sometimes not enough so I have to increase my camera's ISO to achieve that bright & colorful look that I so very much love. This added grain does not in anyway reduce the quality of these images, but rather it increases their character.
This family decided to capture the entire session in their baby girl's nursery which was a little bit low in light but still beautiful. It worked out wonderfully! We were able to capture a nice variety or family shots, mama & baby, dada & baby, and lastly baby alone. All of the items in their room become natural props (i.e. the crib, rocking chair, changing table & guest bed).
