Take Professional Looking Baby Photos

Can’t afford a pricey professional photo shoot? Don’t waste your money on the cheaper versions department stores offer with that silly drop cloth and box. You can take professional looking photos of your baby or little one with a few simple tips and a little practice. Bookmarking milestones is something parents must not miss out on simply because they can’t afford it. Time flies and little ones change so fast! The best way to obtain great photos is to take them where you and your child are most comfortable which most likely means in your own home or backyard. That way you can snap shots when your munchkin is at their happiest. No worries about having missed a nap or having a bad afternoon, or the added stress of getting all ready and rushing out to meet the photographer. So grab your camera and start snapping away with these simple and easy photography tips!

1) Get Close. Real close. People tend to take photos from afar trying to get the entire child’s body or activity in the shot. Try getting up close and focus on the face. Capturing the facial features up close allows the tiny details of the eyes and structure of the face and mouth to become the artwork. Parents say that doing this actually seems to capture the essence of a child’s innocence.

2) Proper Lighting. The true key to a professional looking photo is proper lighting. A soft indirect light source produces amazing results. Early morning or early evening light is perfect. The easiest way to get this light to work for you is to take photos adjacent to a window. This will illuminate a portion or side of the face while shadowing the other side enhancing all of the facial contours.

3) Get Candid. Posed and propped up photographs are not only out of date but appear fake and cheesy (in my opinion). Nothing beats real emotion. A true smile, frown, or even real tears can produce amazing results. Think out of the box and get shots from all angles. Try taking a photo from directly above the child while they are looking up at you, or get below them on the playground or have someone hold your baby and take a snapshot from below. The sky can present a gorgeous backdrop. When little ones are at play, get right up in their space and capture some shots when little ones are doing what they do best. Candid shots are the most natural and most beautiful. Take shots of your little one splashing in a puddle or picking a flower. Converting one of these photographs into sepia or black and white can look gorgeous in a series of large frames across your wall or even make a personal and artistic holiday card.

4) Get Snap Happy. Take a million pictures. If you take a million, you are going to get at least 3 amazing ones. The best photo opportunity only lasts seconds at best, so think ahead and have your camera ready at all times. As all parents know well, little ones almost never sit still. So taking snapshots continuously will ensure that you never miss that perfect moment. This leads me to the very important number 5……

5) Invest in a Good Digital Camera. Old or disposable cameras just won’t produce anything worth keeping. Money and frustration will be saved in the long run in wasted film or too many bad shots. A good digital camera can make amateur’s photos look great. The newer cameras take all of the guesswork out with automatic modes. No need to understand shutter speed settings, f-stop, etc. Simply select the type of photo you are trying to take (portrait, action, landscape, closeup, etc) and the camera does the work for you. Two of the most important features, however, are instantaneous shooting and continuous shooting (usually an “action” mode). Instantaneous shooting means that the photo is captured at exactly the moment you snap the photo. This is very important when dealing with wiggly little ones. Cheaper or older cameras will produce a blurred subject if taken during movement. Continuous shooting means that as long as you depress the button, photos will be taken continuously so it is nearly impossible to miss that fleeting expression your child makes during play. Be forewarned though, that a good camera can make photography a hobby and soon enough you will find yourself intrigued on learning all the advanced features your camera has to offer. Do your research and visit a camera specialty store. Shop around and search online for deals or used cameras. Borrow or rent a camera if you can’t afford one. Memories and milestones are worth some effort. Capturing a great shot can be quite a satisfying experience.