Before Taking Baby Pictures, Know Some Basics

Before rushing off to take 2 million digital photos of your new "bundle of joy," remember the fact that you'll want to look at these pictures at some point down the road. Therefore, it might be best to review some critical basics, so that when you do review your child's pics, your first thought is not "I could make a lot of money sending these into Ripley's Believe it or Not!"

A baby's ability to "pose" depends upon their mobility and strength, and that translates into age. So, remember...

• 0 to 3 months: Like rag dolls. Except for laying down, they must be held for any pose
  
  
• 3 to 6 months: Beginning to hold their head up on their own. Still very limited posing on their own (No point to gleefully skip up to little Amy proclaiming: "Dear, just slip into this ballerina outfit and stand over there-we're ready for your first formal baby portraits.")
  
  
• 6 to 9 months: Can "kind of" sit up on their own. You can pose them, but don't expect them to stay still. (Unless your camera is on a very fast shutter speed-at least 1/500 second, don't expect anything other than slightly blurred baby pictures)
  
  
• 9 to 12 months: Look out, mom and dad! You've just graduated to Baby Photography 102. Little Jimmy (or Janie) can now pull themselves up and may be starting to walk
  
  
• 18 months: DEFCON 3--Your baby is walking!

For much more info PLUS posing examples and tips, visit Baby Picture Basics.


For additional tips, check out these links:

• Pet Portrait Basics
  
  
• Small Group Poses
  
  
• Large Group Poses
  
  
• Who The Heck Is Behind This Blog… and WHY?

Happy clicking.

Later...

Robert

Best Family Photography Tips