You just get one chance to get those perfect shots of your baby before he or she grows up. Believe me, it happens so quickly! Here are some tips on getting great pictures.
1) Lighting is everything. The best lighting is natural sunlight, preferably on a slightly cloudy day. If it is too bright out, you will get shadows and possibly a little one with squinty eyes. If it is too dark, colors will be off even if you lighten the picture later on the computer. If you must take a photograph inside, try to do it under a skylight or near a large window. Try to avoid backlighting (where the light is behind the baby) because your subject will come out dark. If you must use flash, set your camera to red eye reduction and invest in a good photo editing program to remove the red eye later.
2) Have a partner. If possible, have someone else there to help. You may need someone to help you get things just right or to help make the baby smile. Partners who aren't afraid to be goofy are best.
3) Be funny. Fake sneezes, play peek-a-boo, make silly noises - do whatever it takes to make your little one smile.
4) Get close up. People looking at the finished picture don't want to see your couch or the carpet. Focus on your baby's face! Also, take some close up pictures of your baby's toes, hands and other tiny features.
5) Get down on her level. You don't want to have a hundred pictures of your baby looking up! Try all different angles to capture your child.
6) Try black and white. For a timeless and undoubtedly artsy look, shoot your little one using black and white film. Make sure that when you have them printed, you specify black and white processing.
7) Capture action. A baby sprawled on the blanket is a ho-hum picture. Try capturing your little one batting at something, yawning, crawling - whatever actions he does.
8) Create a timeline. Take pictures of your baby in the same spot or with the same toy each month. By the end of the first year, you will marvel at the differences those pictures show. You could continue this as your baby gets older and eventually have a complete timeline through high school graduation!
9) Take lots and lots. Professional photographers never take just one picture. Now that digital cameras are more affordable, you have no excuse to be camera stingy! Take tons of pictures of your baby and you will find one or two awesome ones in the batch. Watch out because soon you will have a computer full.
10) Get in there! Have someone take pictures of you with your baby. You're going to want more than that "just born" picture of you in the hospital gown with a squishy newborn. I know it is hard, but this is one shot you must make a point of getting. I know because I'm still waiting for a good one of my son and me!
Remember that they are just babies once and this is your chance! The easiest time to get a good picture is after the baby learns to sit up on her own, but before she learns to crawl away. Capture those memories and don't forget to send copies to family and friends!
© Hip and Little. Do not reproduce without permission.
