This weekend I headed to Arizona to visit my family for Thanksgiving. I was excited to see all of my family, but this was a special trip—I would finally meet my niece, Abigayle.
I was thrilled when my brother and his girlfriend (aka “the parents”) said I could take pictures of Abigayle. It’s no secret in my family that I love babies and that I love taking pictures.
Luckily for me, the pictures turned out beautifully. My niece is definitely a future model—you should have seen her! She smiled and posed for every picture, and she’s not even six months old!
If you’re hoping to capture some priceless photos of your baby or of a baby you know, make sure you:
Leave plenty of time: Rushing a baby is a BAD idea. Give them time to get used to their surroundings and let their expressions come naturally. Forcing a baby to smile will lead to a forced photo, which no one will enjoy.
Ditch the diaper: Baby bottom photos have been popular with parents for years. Don’t be afraid to capture this moment of innocence and sweetness by laying the baby on his or her tummy and snapping away.
Don’t worry about props: Though props seem cute, they’re usually just distracting. If you must use props, stick to one or two that enhance the picture. Otherwise, it’ll look too busy. For baby photos, you really want to capture the essence of the age, which means focusing on the face.
Leave the flash OFF: If you have a window nearby, by all means use window light rather than a built-in flash to take photos. The highlights and shadows are lovely and your pictures will be strikingly more beautiful. This is especially imperative if you’re taking black and white photos.
Forget backdrops: All you need are a few white and black sheets draped over a couch and you’re ready to go. To prop baby on her tummy, just slide a pillow under the sheet.
Whoever you’re taking pictures of, remember to keep it simple, give yourself enough time, and have fun!
SEE MY PICTURE OF ABIGAYLE HERE