Your baby’s “firsts” is one of the primary reasons why parents ensure they have a camera handy. However, without the proper skills and practice, your children’s photos will be relegated to the snapshot pile. We can help you with that.
Tip #1: Always be Ready
With all the madness going on with diaper changes, midnight feedings, and fun things like teething, it can be hard to ensure that you’re always prepared to take great children’s photos. So, start by investing in a good pocket-sized camera (or a new Smartphone with a decent camera) and ensure it’s always nearby, such as in a diaper bag.
For DSLR lovers, make sure your camera and associated paraphernalia remain in a central location – such as your kitchen or living room. Again, a larger diaper bag might be just the ticket to ensure you take it everywhere with you.
Besides that, ensure your batteries are charged and keep a spare on hand!
Tip #2: Get Used to Light
Whenever you and baby come into a room or go outside, check the light. If you have an inkling that you might want to take a few photos and the light is low, open a few curtains or try a different room. The last thing you want is dim photos of baby’s first steps!
A grainy baby photo isn’t as bad as none at all, so if you need to boost ISO up to get the exposure you need, so be it. Learn how to do this, as well as manually adjusting your exposure, and you’ll be on a path for better baby images.
Tip #3: Try New Angles
To create impactful images of your baby, you need to get on eye level. This method works particularly well for first steps, lifting up, self-feeding, etc. However, for new babies, an overhead angle can work well too. If you have time, try both!
Extra Tip: If getting down on the floor isn’t comfortable for you, find a way to safely capture the image with baby off the floor – such as on your bed or a couch. It might not be quite as “spontaneous” but will save you a backache later.
Tip #4: Plan a Few Firsts
It can be frustrating always to be on alert for “firsts,” only to have them happen when your back is turned. Fortunately, there are a few firsts that you can plan and be ready for:
Solid food
Visiting the park/pool/spray/beach park etc.
Holiday (Easter/Christmas/Thanksgiving)
Christening/Baptism
Haircut
Vacation/Train Ride/Boat Ride/Plane Ride
Birthday
In these cases, plan to have your camera ready and ensure that you are in a location where there is good light, if possible.
Tip #5: Capture Favorites
Don’t focus just on firsts; you also want to create a story with your child as the central character. Capture their likes, dislikes, and all of their funny moods. In the end, you’re creating memories, not just photos. As your baby turns into a toddler, you’ll have to get a bit quicker – so keep up the practice.
Finally, set aside time to review your photos before the next “first” so you can make adjustments if needed. While you are at it, post to Facebook, share with friends and family, and get a few prints made so you can send them to grandparents, put in scrapbooks, or hang on the wall!
Don’t forget to Pin his post so you can refer to it later!
When you’re ready to book your next photo shoot with Jane, call 917-744-3310 or fill out the contact form here.
Now this is one sturdy carrying case – it’s built so well to hold all of my gear – it’s especially great for traveling with my gear. I couldn’t do my job without it.
Oh the latest Canon 5D – it’s a dream to shoot with and I love it so much. It’s my second child! It builds on the powerful legacy of the 5D series, offering amazing refinements in image quality, performance and versatility.
Whoever said zoom lenses aren’t amazing didn’t have this one. It offers a great zoom range (perfect for moving targets like toddlers) yet it has a wonderfully large aperture throughout its focal length.
The lens is suitable for any shooting situation, with a lens coating and construction type that are optimized to minimize the ghosting and flare that frequently occurs when lenses are used with digital cameras. The lens also offers an ultra-large aperture that produces a narrow depth of field and the type of soft background blur so loved by photographers everywhere.
This speed lite delivers impressive power, responsive performance and advanced, wireless communication for those who demand the very best in flash photography
If there was one product (apart from my camera) that I would take to every newborn shoot it has to be the Sleep Sheep. Press Ocean sound and babies love it as it is so calming!
I always get asked what consumer camera to buy and I have found that the Rebel t6i is by far the best for my clients to take gorgeous, high-quality photos and videos that are easy to share
Map of Jane Goodrich Photography in Westchester County, NY
