How to Edit Newborn Skin Tones for Fresh 48 Sessions

I recently got asked how to edit newborn skin tones for Fresh 48 sessions on a Q&A post I put up. Fresh 48 sessions are SO fun to shoot, but if you don’t know what you’re doing they can be extremely difficult. Hospital lighting is typically very florescent and not very natural looking. Newborns are difficult too, because their skin is typically very pink or red and blotchy from, you know, being born. The combination over florescent, dark lighting and blotchy red skin can be difficult.

I edit every session in Lightroom. I rarely use Photoshop – it’s just not necessary for my shooting style. Below is a step-by-step tutorial for how I edit Newborn Skin Tones for Fresh 48 Sessions. If you have questions post them in the comments below.

1) Import your images into Lightroom

This is typically what my images look like upon importing them into Lightroom. I shoot in RAW, so the images are dull and dark.

2) Apply color and sharpness settings

I use a preset for all of my editing, so I apply my preset, apply lens correction, and adjust the sharpness to about 70.

3) Use the Adjustment Brush to Soften the skin

The adjustment brush can be found in the right panel. I select the adjustment brush and select the soften skin effect. I only soften the baby’s cheeks. I use circular motions on the baby’s cheeks to blend the skin tones. I’m not trying to make her cheeks look fake, I just want the colors to blend.

And that’s it! I don’t spend more than 30 seconds or so on an image, because I want things to look natural and true to life, but I do want the tones to blend. This technique has worked wonders for me. I hope it will be helpful for you!

Feel free to leave your questions in the comments!]]>