A new baby is an exciting event gladly shared by the proud new parents. Baby announcements or birth announcements come in a wide range of styles, designs and colors but the most special ones include pictures of the newborn. Here are 9 tips for taking that perfect baby picture that will remain a valuable keepsake.
1. Preparation. Get ready in advance by making sure your camera battery is charged and your memory stick ready to accept hundreds of shots. You wouldn't want to get everything set up with your perfect newborn in place only to discover your camera is dead. Pick a time of day for your photo shoot when your baby is happy and alert. No point getting everything in place only to discover it is naptime. Plan ahead and everything will go much more smoothly!
2. Background. Put a solid or small patterned sheet or cloth on the floor as a background. Something plain is best so that it doesn't detract from your little bundle of joy. Make sure the ground beneath is comfortable for the baby. By putting the center of attention on the floor with you, the photographer standing overhead, you will get a nice picture of a happy baby with arms and legs free to pose.
3. Lighting. Your choice of lighting is among the most important components of any baby picture. Use a stand-in baby doll to test your light source. Natural daylight is best but check to make sure you'll not get unwanted shadows. Also avoid very bright light as you do want a bit of shading in your shot so that your subject doesn't look flat.
4. Framing. Experiment with your camera by determining in advance how far to zoom in or out to get the perfect shot. Make sure you've covered enough space around your subject with the backdrop so that you don't see the actual floor or rug beneath. A good idea is to select your birth announcements before you begin the photo session. Will your shots need to be landscapes, meaning wider than they are tall or portraits which are taller than they are wide? By first determining your preferred design feature for your photo greeting cards you will know how to place the baby on the backdrop for best results.
5. Clothing. Have several outfits ready for quick changes. Solid colored clothes that complement your baby's skin color are best. Pink for girls and blue for boys is not the rule anymore. Busy designs or colors that do not go well with the background should be avoided. Keep it simple as the baby should be the focus of the photograph, not the designer duds he or she is wearing. And remember to take a few of your newborn in his or her birthday suit too. They will certainly thank you for those when they are older!
6. Get the Baby. Now you're ready. Your camera is charged with the day and date off, your lighting just right, your background prepared and your baby dressed. Now gather up your bundle of joy and plop him or her gently on your backdrop.
7. Point and Click. Start clicking. Take more shots than you'll ever think you need. Drape a corner of your backdrop over a chair and take some shots from different angles or at floor level. You never know when an unexpected pose may be your best. Act as goofy as necessary to keep your little one entertained. If a break is called for, by all means take one and then try again. Have fun with it!
8. The Selection Process. Hopefully you will be amazed at the photographs you have taken. Delete the obvious mistakes and narrow down your choices. Have others weigh in as well for a different perspective. Keep some portrait and some landscape shots so you will have a selection to choose from when designing your baby announcements , scrapbooks and Christmas cards. Load them on a disk and make a backup for safe keeping.
9. Prints. Make prints using your home computer or upload them to a website that can facilitate that process. Local drugstores offer hosting services for your photos that allow you to not only store them but order them online for pickup locally.
As your baby grows make sure to take lots of photographs. You will be amazed at how fast they change and mature. A photograph is your opportunity to capture this once in a lifetime stage of their development. With a bit of planning and effort now, you will have memories to cherish for generations to come.
