Hanging shots… there’s often a debate about them in the photography industry. There are very few professional photographers that do hanging shots well. The baby should be and look very relaxed when this shot is done. When you see the amazing hanging shots from tree branches, etc the babies are NOT really hanging from the branch… or if they are, they shouldn’t be! Those are composite shots (where a shot is taken of baby in the sling with hands on baby and then a shot of the sling tied to the branch with nothing inside.) Ahhh, the beauty of Photoshop, right? Well not exactly… many photographers do not know this and attempt this shot without proper safety measures. DO NOT hang a baby just for the sake of hanging a baby, please.
Those of us who specialize in newborn photography know how important safety is. I can assure you that every shot/pose I do is 100% safe. So the point of this post is to show how to properly and safely use my favorite hanging cocoon from lil’ owl knitts. Jen knows the importance of a newborn’s safety and her products are constructed with high attention to detail and stability. When I started working with Jen I mentioned that I wanted some type of cocoon to do hanging shots because although I can do them with a scarf, it is much, much harder. And just a personal preference, I like the hanging cocoon much better.
Not every client wants this shot. I always ask “Is there any shot/pose you can’t live without? Is there any shot that you don’t care for?” I do the hanging shot by request only and honestly, I get a lot of requests for it.
So here we go:
1. Make sure baby is in a deep sleep. You NEVER want to attempt ANY type of hanging/prop shot when baby is awake. It’s just not safe. Period. If I can’t get the shot, I can’t get the shot and move on.
2. Test the cocoon for stability (these are SOOC, by the way so don’t judge
) When putting the weight in the sling, I bounce it up and down several times. I know that Jen’s slings are 100% sturdy but I always, always do this before ever putting a baby in the sling.
3. Pose baby in hands and have mom/dad slip sling under baby
4. I’m putting finishing touches on the pose so baby is looking at me.
5. ALWAYS, always have a spotter. We know that the sling is strong but you can never be too safe.
6. Final product
I hope this helps when making your decision about doing hanging shots. I 100% stand behind Jen’s products and personally have over a dozen in all different colors. 
And remember. SAFETY FIRST
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by Kristen
[...] Hanging Cocoon Shot [...]
Yes, mom’s hands are hovered underneath and removed in Photoshop.
Beautiful final product!! Ahh, what a sweet tiny babe
My only question is, for the final shot did you have mom move her hands more underneath the cocoon and then photoshop out her hands? Or did mom move her hands out of the way for quickly for you to take the picture? I’m very glad you posted this tutorial and I hope more newborn photographers post tutorials like this too. Too many newbies think photos like these are not composites and unknowingly throw caution to the wind.
Thank you this is very helpful for a beginner!
Thank you for sharing!!
You can never read too many safety tips.
Great tutorial … thank you for sharing!
Thank you! I very rarely see a hanging shot where the baby looks comfortable! Once again you make it look so good!!! Love the cocoon and all of Jen’s products:)I do think many photographers need to be reminded that safety comes first! So just curious, about how high to you lift it? I am thinking just inches, but I have never attempted one of these shots.
Thank you. Your tutorial is well-done and further proves that a lot of work, skill and talent goes into making a beautiful photograph!
fantastically written and executed. Babies safety is the absolute priority and to see a post on it is very re-freshing gorgeous Kristen! xx
Girl have I mentioned that you rock?!!! Well you do. I love your tutorial! Hugs!