Perfect Baby Pictures
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Have you tried taking your baby to a professional photographer, only to have your baby cry through the entire session or be more interested in staring at the lighting than cracking a smile? Did you end up spending a good deal of money, but were not all that satisfied with the result?
The last time I attempted to take my girls to a photographer, my oldest refused to smile, my middle daughter threw a vicious tantrum and my sleepy baby refused to do anything but, well, sleep. I left defeated, with no hope of beautiful pictures, three cranky children and a very bad headache. Sure, we were just having a bad day. Every day of my life is not that difficult, but still, I needed a new plan for preserving the memories of their childhood. I had to learn to take better pictures myself. Here is my method for getting beautiful close-up shots of babies and children.
I love faces, up close, full of expression, baby faces. I don’t care for the posed, propped look. I like natural expressions, whether happy or sad or concerned looking, just purely natural.
Steps to Getting That Perfect Baby Picture:
- Pick a time that you can be sure your baby will be happy, playful, well rested and well fed.
- Find a spot where you can lay your baby down flat on her back to take the pictures. Make sure this spot is safe and has abundant natural light.
- Choose a piece of fabric to lie down as a backdrop. This can be a blanket, sheet or anything that will compliment your baby’s coloring. In the pictures to the right I used a sheer drapery panel, because I love the color. Choose a darker shade if your baby has blonde hair (or no hair).
- Choose an outfit for your baby that will blend well with the background color. Since we are taking a close up of baby’s face, baby can be all natural without the fancy attire!
- After lying your baby down on her back, hover directly above her with the camera.
- Zoom in close until baby’s face fills most of, if not all of the viewing screen.
- Dangle a toy with your free hand if your baby needs additional entertaining. Some babies will be fascinated by their parent and the camera and will not need additional entertainment!
- Take at least 40 shots of your baby’s face close up, changing the angle and capturing the natural expressions.
- Don’t pause between shots to see how the picture came out. Just keep going. You have a limited amount of time before baby gets bored and wants to move on to another activity.
- When you are done, and your little model has gone down for a nap, load the photos on to your computer and play with them in your photo editor. Play with the light, and cropping feature to get the desired look.
- Print them and email them to everyone you know!
**Note: I am not a professional photographer. I am a mom with a digital camera and a passionate desire to avoid trekking my kids, dressed in their best clothes, all itchy and cranky to a photography studio only to be overcharged for photos I don’t like.
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Comments
This is a GREAT idea. Wish I'd read this Hub years ago!
GREAT hub Amy Jane! You are 100% right (those setting photos never turn out for me either)
Hi Rainbow, Lela and Steph, thank you so much for reading and leaving such sweet comments!
Very informative. We will certainly need this info. Thanks.
Thanks Peter, and best of luck with you new little blessing :)
Amy - Great Hub! My son is 17 months and I can remember his first photo shoot :-) he got cranky toward the end, and the photographer had this duck toy that make this weird qucking sound... sure made my son smile!! ~ Peter :-)
Thanks Peter! At least the photographer got a smile from your baby! Mine babies always looked at them like they were crazy or just screamed for me to rescue them :)
Think about hiring a pro to come to your home. It's much easier for you and you'll get some great pictures if you hire the right person. These are not bad but look too much like mug shots.
Gee, Atlanta Photog, that's a fine idea. Sorry you didn't ike my baby mugshots. i think they are cute :) I really enjoy taking their pictures, and this is not the only way I photograph my children.
I loved the baby pics Amy Jane!! Awesome ideas, I'm an at home shutter-bug, I have a new niece on the way and plan on using your tips!
Thanks MommyMandy, I hope they work out well for you! :)
great article. I think taking photos yourself can make the photos that much more special.
Thank you Lyndsey, and I agree! The photo session itself becomes a happy memory.








RainbowRecognizer says:
5 months ago
Fun - I love pics at home in a natural setting!