1. Feed them. A full tummy means a happy baby, and that’s what we want to photograph!
2. Find a window, or go outside in the shade. Soft, indirect light is best. On a cloudy day, place your baby on secure pretty floor spot near the window for beautiful natural light. You can photograph baby with the window at your back, or from a side angle. If there is direct sunlight, find a place that is bright yet shaded from the sun.
3. Clear the background. Put your baby on a large blanket, or find a place without a busy background. Your baby should be the center of attention!
4. Get on their level. Whether your baby is sitting, crawling or walking, get down to their eye level. This helps to show their perspective of the world. Bonus Tip: Put them on a white blanket or reflective surface to bounce more light on their face.
5. Let them move. If your baby is mobile, let them crawl/toddle around. Follow them around as they explore to capture their curious mind at work. Bonus Tip: Show them a toy or snack, and put it right above your camera. You’ll get a few seconds of eye contact, which is just enough time to snap a pic of that cute little face.
6. Keep it short. We all know babies/toddlers have tiny attention spans. Try keeping your photo session under 10 minutes. If baby gets fussy, wait until after their next nap or meal and try again. This will avoid any meltdowns for both the baby and you!
7. Print your photos! Photographs were made to be admired in print form. Frame them, put them in an album, and send one to Grandma.
Karilyn Sanders is a professional photographer specializing in newborns and babies up to 1 year. View more of her work at karilynsanders.com.
