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Photographing Your Baby

Everyone gets out the camera more often when there is a new baby around, so how do you make sure you take the best possible pictures?

I think there are two ways to go about it. If you are hoping to get a portrait of your baby you'll need to prepare and think about the location, what the baby is wearing and about the best time of day to take the picture so that you minimise disruption to the baby's daily routine and so take the picture at a time when there are likely to be happiest. The setting is important for this kind of shot. A clutter-free background, simple clothing and a favourite toy to attract their attention will all contribute to the ideal set up. As far as the technical side of the photography goes, use the best camera you can. Most cameras have a portrait mode, which uses a wide aperture making the subject stand out from the background. Natural light will always make taking pictures of your baby easier, not least because setting up lighting and using a flash can distract and upset the baby, so take photos outside or near a window.

The second approach is really the one I prefer. Informal snapshots can often be just as appealing and can reveal more of the baby's personality. This is when having a camera to hand can make or break your chance of success. And the kind of camera you use matters less; some of our cutest and most memorable photos have been taken on either our simple digital camera or even our phone. The technology doesn't matter as much here, timing is the key.

Whether you are going for a formal picture or a snapshot you will get better results if you follow these four simple guidelines.

1. Get down to your babies level. Pictures from an adult perspective will not have as much impact.

2. Get in close, or use a zoom lens. Let the baby, or even just their face, fill the frame. The end result will be more striking.

3. Focus on the baby's eyes.

4. Seize the moment. Your baby won't want to pose for his portrait, nor will he play endlessly with props or toys just to humour you until you have the picture you want.

Digital photography has made experimenting, taking chances with postures and reeling off shot after shot a possibility and it's when taking pictures of people that the real benefit of this is seen. Taking several shots consecutively and choosing the best one afterwards will eliminate that awful feeling when the baby smiles right after you took the picture. It also makes experimenting with different viewpoints possible, don't be afraid to play around and try things out. For example, when they are really small a baby's hands or feet make a fascinating subject. Bottoms and belly buttons are cute too!

Photographing a baby successfully is about capturing the milestones. Taking pictures every day records the tiny changes that occur opening their eyes, uncurling their hands, their first smiles, lifting their head. In the first couple of weeks of their life it is lovely to photograph them feeding, being bathed, being held by a parent or sleeping there is little that rivals a photo of an adorable sleeping baby. Sometimes the urge to take photos wanes after the first few months, but the milestones keep coming and remembering to capture them for posterity is important. First teeth, crawling, walking, the wonders of messy eating keep taking photos, you'll thank yourself in the future.

Learn more about this author, Carol Bloomfield.
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