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amount of time to spend with your child. There might be background screens that the photographer uses for the photograph. Not all of these backgrounds look realistic, and you might find yourself rather disappointed with the end result. You might also never get a picture you really love, but you will feel pressured to buy some of the pictures anyway.

You can take formal photographs yourself. You will want to use a digital camera again, for the same reasons you'd want to use them for candid photographs. If you take a bunch of pictures, at least one is likely to be one you love.

For a formal photograph, you will want to think about where the photograph should be taken. Some people prefer to have shots of their child in nature, and some prefer to have a solid background with nothing to distract the viewer from the beauty of the child. If you decide on a nature shot, you will want to choose a location that is particularly beautiful by itself. Certain seasons might be better than others for this. If you are choosing to photograph your child in nature, simple, bright colored clothing will help him or her stand out from the background scenery.

If you choose to photograph your child against a plain background, be sure to pay close attention to the child's clothing. The clothing will be particularly eye-catching, and it is best if it is clean, well cared for and attractive. The background itself can be a blank wall, a draped sheet or even a child lying on a bed. You can use props such as chairs or pillows to keep your child from slumping. You can also give your child a prop to hold. A flower, a favorite toy, or a special blankie, can all be good props for great photographs.

Do not be afraid to use the zoom feature on your camera for either type of photograph. Take a few shots from a distance, and then move closer and zoom in until you are too close to focus. This way, you will ensure that whatever type of picture that works best with your setting ends up being captured. Unless you are a professional photographer, it is hard to gauge which distance will be best. Taking pictures at a variety of distances virtually guarantees your success. Using a variety of lighting is also helpful. Some pictures are best taken in natural light, some will need more light, some will need a flash. Try a combination of lighting techniques until you discover which works best with your setting.

Before you begin your photo session, make sure your child has recently been fed and is well rested. Choose a time when your child is happy and in a cooperative mood. If your child begins to become restless, you will need to be done for the time being and begin again another time. Restlessness rapidly turns to frustration and crying, at which point you will not get the shot you want and you will teach your child that posing for photographs is an unpleasant experience, when it should be fun for everyone.

Learn more about this author, Shelley Kishpaugh.
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