Wednesday, September 10, 2008

How To Take Better Photographs of a Newborn Baby




Parents, you really only get a few weeks to capture photos of your newborn looking, well, like a newborn. Anyone with children can attest to the fact that they change in the blink of an eye. You may be considering hiring a professional photographer, but those photos will only capture a few hours of your baby’s new life. The rest of the documenting is up to you! To view examples of, and exceptions to, these rules, visit http://www.christiestockstill.com/.

Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Keep the background simple. Clutter will distract the eye away from the subject, in this case, your perfect, little angel.
2. Get on the same level as your baby. You look down at your baby all the time! See the world from his or her perspective, and grab some fantastic shots at the same time.
3. Photograph a naked baby! Your child will be photographed in clothing for the rest of his life! Naked babies look so natural and innocent. Too often, newborn clothes don’t fit well or look too grown-up; it can look awkward. Just make sure it is warm enough for your baby to stay comfortable. Oh, and be prepared for the call of nature. There’s something about that open air.
4. A content baby makes for a more successful photo session. Make sure to take breaks and feed your baby as often as necessary. Often, after eating, babies will fall asleep. This is actually a great time to take pictures. Newborns can sleep through just about anything and in just about any place.
5. Include “spontaneous” moments with family and friends. Take pictures of them playing, dancing, rocking, feeding, and loving on your baby.
6. If you use the flash on a point and shoot, try to get the baby to look away from the camera. This will help avoid red-eye. If you have an SLR with a detachable flash, try pointing the flash head at the ceiling or at an adjacent wall to eliminate harsh lighting.
7. Shoot often. Let’s face it; the odds are good that you will eventually get some great shots of your baby.

0 comments: