Better Baby Photos
Tips for Photographing Your Newborn
As a Master Craftsman Photographer, specializing in baby photographs,
I'd love to share some easy tips for you to incorporate at home when photographing
your newborn to help ensure better photos for you and baby's photo history!
Check that your cameras have fresh batteries. If shooting digital, be
sure to have your CF card ready to go; otherwise, you'll want fresh film
for standard cameras. Be sure to keep your film at a constant temperature
(in other words, don't leave it laying around for three years, then dig
it out of your cars glove box and expect to have spectacular results!).
For fun, always keep a disposable camera in baby's diaper bag to catch
those special moments that occur while you're "out and about".
When photographing babies, think soft. Soft light, soft colors, soft textures. These things allow the importance of the photograph to be focused on the child, not on distracting backgrounds or clothing colors. Choose soft colored clothing for baby to wear. Little cotton "onesies" are our favorite in the studio, because they conform to the little babies body, and show those luscious little legs, arms, and, " piggies". Babies' personalities are found in their tiny hands and toes, so don't overlook their significance! If you select an outfit that has a collar on it, go ahead and stitch the collar down-that will keep it from bunching up under baby's face.
Take baby's carrier and drape a pastel or white blanket over it; the softer color and softer texture will draw attention to your beautiful little one-not the navy plaid fabric of the car seat!
Find a soft source of light to photograph baby by-a large window or the shade of a patio or tree outdoors works great. Bright light makes baby squint. Early morning light, or right as the sun goes down below the horizon is also a good time to photograph outdoors.
Now, a major key to all this is to PREPLAN, and in preplanning the photography, don't forget the most important key element of all-Baby's Schedule! (Sorry, Mom, it's not about when its convenient to you.) Plan this time when baby's happiest-.rested, fed, clean (you know the routine). Gather everything you'll need in advance, then add baby at the last minute to ensure a successful photo session.
After the photo session, get those photos processed, and don't order two sets of the entire roll. Use a film lab that will let you "turn in" any unwanted photos, which will save you money in the long run. Pick the best five photos, and order any photos for family as reorders. Have a shopping list with specific names on the list, and you won't be tempted to over-order.
Date the front of your negative and print envelope and whether there was a special occasion, such as first smiles or first steps, and label the outside of your envelope as well. Store your negatives or CDs in a dry, temperature-controlled place. Pick your favorite photo and pop it immediately into baby's album. By keeping up with the album assembly on a regular basis, it simplifies your life and creates that precious photographic history for your baby and your family.
Don't forget to select a professional photographer to be your family photographer - just like your family doctor and dentist, an annual visit to your family photographer is important in creating your family's portrait history for your children, as well as you!
Look for someone who specializes in photographing children and families and who will not only make you feel comfortable, but who will make your child look great in front of the camera.