As parents, we map our lives by the growth of our children. Before you know it you’re bundling them off to school, congratulating them for getting their driver’s license, then paying for their weddings.

 

Yes, our children grow quickly and the opportunities to photograph them as babies are, in retrospect, a fleeting moment. The one thing you can make sure of is your collection of photographs. They’re probably among the most precious possessions you’ll ever have.

Cameras these days are easier to use and ensure better quality photographs than has ever been possible. However, there’s much more to making successful baby portraits. WC Fields once advised never to work with children or animals, but for parents and pet lovers, this is not an option.

So, for those of us who face the prospect of photographing their babies and toddlers, here are 10 tips for better and more precious pictures.

1. Be prepared

Always have your camera ready. Make sure it’s in a place where you can access it quickly and ensure that you have fresh batteries and plenty of film loaded.

2. Don’t contrive

Babies are often best photographed when they’re simply being themselves. Photograph them as they move around the house. Take candid pictures as they interact with their surroundings, their toys, your furniture, your pets, or whatever takes their interest. This doesn’t mean you can’t place them in interesting surrounding or situations. You might place them in a room with some toys, another family member or even another baby buddy.

3. Get close

One of the most common mistakes with baby photographs is to take a shot from too far away. We concentrate on the baby as the subject, but usually include too much of the surroundings. So, use a lens that allows you to get closer or simply learn to get as close as your camera will allow you to shoot. Fill the frame with your subject and remove as much of the distracting surroundings as possible.

4. Avoid flash whenever possible

Straight flash is an awful type of light for most photographs, but this is especially true of babies and toddlers. It’s frontal and harsh and often reduces the children in our photographs to pale, formless subjects with bad skin and red eyes. It’s better to use a high-speed film or a higher ISO rating on your digital camera and use natural window light wherever possible.

5. Avoid harsh sunlight

For the same reasons as mentioned above, try to avoid hard sunlight. There are many benefits to being outside, of course (one of which is not having to use flash!) but the sun can also be very hard as a light source, forming hard shadows and burning out skin and facial features. Wherever possible, soften the light by opting for cloudy days or using sheltered areas where the sun doesn’t directly beat down upon your child.

6. Change your viewpoint

Children usually live a little closer to the ground than we do, so the angle at which we photograph them often needs to be reconsidered. By remaining standing, we usually wind up with pictures of our children looking up at us, their heads enlarged and their little bodies disappearing toward the floor. Kneel, sit, or even get down to ground level when photographing children – babies particularly – so that your photographs are more balanced and appear less demeaning than they might if taken from adult height.

7. Include family and friends

The bond between baby and the rest of your family and your circle of friends is an important one and maps the growth of your child and its continuing connection with others.

8. The best time

Certain times of the day are better than others when taking photos of your child. Optimal times might be after your child has had a good sleep or after having been fed. You’ll know your child’s individual personality patterns – use these to your advantage for playful portraits of your little one.

9. Quantity can be quality

Don’t be afraid to take lots of pictures. Take different angles and sequences of the same event or moment. Don’t click away madly, of course, without considering the aforementioned tips. But don’t settle for just one picture either. Professional photographers can use dozens of rolls of film or digital images for just one magic shot. The more pictures you take, the more likely you’ll get a truly great photograph.

10. Photograph and print your pictures regularly

It isn’t hard to see how quickly a week, a month, a year goes by. Schedule your baby photo sessions to a particular day or time each week and make sure you follow through. If you’re using a digital camera, be sure to make prints from as many of the photographs as possible – even those that aren’t as “cute” as you’d like. With each passing year, each photograph you take will become more precious. You can even order your prints online at www.soulpattinson.com.au, which is ideal for busy parents.

Entry was posted on Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 at 8:28 pm under People, Photography tutorials.  Print This Post