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Taking
Baby Photos - Photography Business for
Professionals
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by:
Roy Barker
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Copyright
2005 Roy Barker
Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph. They are the
best for two reasons, people are more tolerant at looking at baby
photos, as well as the fact that babies are not aware their image is
being captured, and therefore they do not tend to put on the “camera
face” so typically used by elder children and adults. They are the
worst subjects because their behaviour is unpredictable. Because their
behaviour is uncensored, they show their emotions, and can just as
easily cry as gurgle happily into the camera.
One of the most challenging aspects of photographing a baby is to
control the subject. On the one hand you want them relatively still,
but too much control and the photo loses its impetuousness. Lighting
and background are both important, you want the background as
uncluttered and simple as possible if the photograph is indoors, or as
natural as possible outside, a piece of grass is ideal. The lighting
should be coming from at least two directional sources, but if it is
too strong it will throw shadows that complicate the picture, and often
lose the wonderful facial expressions it is possible to capture.
However don’t miss those impromptu shots either especially with a
digital camera, you can always edit the background later.
It is usually helpful to restrict babies’ activities; they are not
portrayed at their best nappy high in the air crawling across the
floor. A good way to restrict them is a highchair, or holding them in
the arms of another person. Baby photography is often better taken very
close up, and it is a wise move to look at the manual for your camera,
and see how close you can get. It is better to get everything set up
first, and then place the baby in position when the lighting and
setting have been chosen. However that of course is not always possible.
Distractions in the form of noise, and toys can be a tool, but never
forget that a baby’s emotion’s are always lightning fast, and it all
makes for great photographs, whether it is tears of frustration,
pouring a drink over your best camera, or laughing.
They are often easier to photograph when there is a minimum of people
around because they are so easily distracted. The old school of thought
was keep the mother well out of the way, however I personally can't see
any mileage in that, as babies are calmer with someone they know, and
in most cases that is the mother. Above all remember that photographing
babies is fun, the unexpected if caught at just the right moment, makes
great memories. Although I doubt if a father who has just picked up
their offspring for a photograph will forget the time that their child
was sick all over them. Control can only go so far with babies.
Babies are babies for short a period of time, you can never have too
many photographs, and here a digital camera can save enormous amounts
on both film and development. It also allows for wastage as you can
view the results immediately and can the ones you don’t want. You will
have huge embarrassment value in later life showing your daughter’s
first boyfriend her as a baby with no nappy! Another enormous advantage
to digital photography is that you don’t have to shoot the photograph
with a little black box in front of your face. This will catch a baby’s
emotions perfectly, but is not the best way to capture their best
expressions. A small child will respond better when they respond to
your expressions. By being able to hold the camera away from your face
you have a chance to capture the best of their expressions as well; an
LCD screen generally reaps huge benefits.
Another misunderstood statement is that the best photographs are taken
by professionals, whilst there is no denying that professional take
great formal photographs, and every baby should have at least one set
to keep as an adult. It is hard to beat the formal professional photo.
Some professionals offer annual sittings for family shots and supply
regular updated montages specific to that family. A service that is
hard to beat. However this formal stylised pose isn't always the
answer, somehow, because children are not camera aware, they are not
camera shy. Young babies are sometimes better photographed in an
environment that they are entirely comfortable with and that place is
often their own home or the garden. The great thing about photographing
your own child is that it does not need any special equipment, special
effects, or even any really special effort, and it certainly does not
involve trailing somewhere in the middle of the night to capture a
beautiful dawn. A point and shoot will work wonders.
Probably the most important technical point to remember when
photographing a baby is that because of their size, you have to get
down to their height to get that wonderful close- up. The easiest way
and least dangerous way is to physically get down on the floor with
them, not necessarily the most dignified way, but certainly the most
rewarding. There are no imperfections in a babies face, you can get as
close as you can without showing crow’s feet! You cannot engineer this
type of photography it has to happen, but you can be creative in your
approach and let the baby respond to you, because it has no knowledge
of how to respond to the camera.
With a very young baby still in its crib, there is very little option,
but to shoot from the above, unless you want the baby to look as though
it is captured in a wooden box, but it is an approach to be avoided if
at all possible.
You have more opportunities to photograph babies in more settings than
at almost any other age. After all you don’t photograph your mother on
the toilet. Few props are useful with babies, but baths and potty’s are
great because they are both tools that they are familiar with and with
a little patience they can be put to great effect regarding play.
Surely you can put up with getting a little damp at bath- time, but of
course try and remember to make sure the potty is empty! Above all
remember that it fun and relaxed, you will never have the opportunity
to have so many natural photos again. Enter into the spirit of it and
you will be amply rewarded. Another great “prop” to use if you have one
is the family pet, providing it is not intimidating to the baby.
There is no fun at all in photographing someone screaming the house
down in fear. Whilst every parent should have at least one set of
professional photos taken, don’t rely on someone else to capture those
truly enchanting moments, especially at momentous milestones. If it is
your child’s first birthday they will reward you with better
photographs if you take them yourself. Get someone else (professional)
to do it on a less important day.
The professional would do well to keep a file for the parents and offer
services such as a montage on the childs or childrens yearly progress
(updated every year). There is great value in personalisation and there
is an abundance of software available to help you organise this service.
About the Author
Publisher & author: Roy Barker. Roy is the
author of the popular ebook, Income from Photography - a downloadable
ebook which guides the reader on how to start up and market a
Profitable Photography business. It can be viewed at
http://www.profitable-photography.com. Other related and reviewed
services & research sources can be found at
http://www.profitable-photography.com/html/117/
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