How to Take Memorable Photos of Your Baby
by Amy Stern |
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| Your baby will only be this little once. You've heard it before--they grow up fast. That precious baby will be driving off for collage before you know it. So, now is the time to get out your camera and make the most of this brief moment in time while it lasts. |
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Here are three professional techniques for capturing your gorgeous cutie pie in photographs that you will treasure forever. |
1. Remove distractions
Sure, it is fun to shop for tiny little clothes and shoes. They are adorable. Nonetheless, the fact is that even the nicest outfit is going to look dated eventually. Plus, they just detract from the subject. You need to stay focused on your kid. Simplify the baby's clothing to avoid having photos that are too busy and distracting. Stick to solid neutral colors or turn up the heat and undress that baby.
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| The person holding the baby in the photo should also wear solid colors, as in the photo above. Or use a favorite blanket and cover the bouncy seat or person holding baby, as in this photo: |
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A hat and booties are adorable on a naked baby.
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As you can see from the above photos, the main focus is on the baby and not a fancy outfit, distracting toys or other trendy things. So keep it simple. Also, the more you clear out the background, the more the baby can shine.
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2. Get closer
Get as close as you think you can… and then move closer. Try taking a few shots of just the feet or hands for a very special keepsake. In this shot, I had the Mother hold the baby’s feet in her hands and then I focused on the feet. This is a portrait she is sure to treasure when baby's feet are bigger than Mom's one day.
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3. Use natural light
That flash button on your camera? (It's the one that usually looks like a lightning bolt.) Turn it off and search for some natural light around your house.
Move towards a window or storm door or head outdoors in nice weather. Shady areas are good if they are bordering a sunny open area, because you don’t want it too dark. Or try an overcast day out in an open field. This will result in a photo with some shadows and realistic details instead of a washed-out snapshot look.
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The photo above was taken outdoors without a flash. The sun was to my right and NOT directly behind me. (In other words, the old fashion advice of blinding sun in the face is not the way to achieve natural-looking photos). If the sun is very strong, try the opposite approach: have the sun directly behind the baby and use a flash to fill, or brighten, the face.
These are just a few ideas for capturing your bundle of joy in a more appealing way. With experimentation and practice, you will be able to break out of the typical snapshot look and create many extraordinary shots of your baby.
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Amy Stern is a professional portrait photographer specializing in maternity, newborns, children, families, and high school seniors. She lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Visit her website at www.amystern.com for more information.
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