Baby Photos: Five tips for posing infants

 Newborns are delicate and older babies are wiggly (not to mention spit-up, diapers and crying)—which is why taking pictures of infants can be so challenging. I've wasted precious smile time trying to find the right pose for my son's age. Picking the right pose can help you snap some better photos within your baby's attention span.

 

Use a U-shaped pillow.

I found a less common use for my Boppy—as a baby prop. With brand new babies, I tuck the pillow under the backdrop to prop a baby's head up, either while lying on his back or his belly. As he got older, I used it to keep him from tipping over as he was learning to sit up.

 

Uses poses to show off new skills.

I take monthly photos of my son, and I love using different poses to show his new skills. I switched up poses when he was holding his head up by himself and sitting up by himself—and soon, I'll snap a few of him crawling.

 

Add a bit of Mom or Dad.

One of my favorite newborn pictures I've taken is of my niece, fit perfectly snug in her mom's outstretched arms. Its a great pose for remembering later how tiny she was. Older infants can also be photographed walking with the aid of a parent or grandparent's hands.

 

Use a few different poses—but start with the most comfortable.

I love to use a few different poses to get a variety of shots—but I've often made the mistake of not starting on the right one. Begin where your baby is comfortable. If she doesn't like tummy time, don't start trying to imitate a cute shot on her tummy—once she's mad, you may not be able to try any other poses.

 

Get in close.

I love baby feet—and so I've taken a few close-ups of just toes. After you have a few good overall poses, try snapping some of just feet or fingers. Capture that tiny wisp of hair or the blue in her eyes.

Finding the right pose to get the best shot of a baby can be challenging. With a pillow or extra person to help with propping and a few ideas (and a lot of patience), taking baby photos can be a bit easier.

Writing Prompt: Character Traits

 As a new mom, I've been amazed at how someone so young can still display quite a bit of their very own personality. My son, at eight months old, is curious. He loves to go new places—his arms will stick right out and he'll just shake, which is his crazy way of showing that he's excited. He's always looking around, grabbing anything within reach, and he. Never. Stops. Wiggling.

For this writing prompt, pick one personality trait, and write a few paragraphs about how it fits your child. Be specific—share a humorous or touching incident that illustrates his or her personality best. Like what you wrote? Share it in the comments section.

Props Under $10: Diggin' into Summer

Dirt (as per the cliché) is cheap, but it makes a great photo element for the summer. For less than $10, I picked up a few items for photo props that ended up being one of my favorite sets. Here's what I purchased:

• Chalkboard Joann Fabric and Craft $2.49
• Chalk Springrove Variety Store $0.94
• Medium Clay Pot Meijer $1.79
• Small Clay Pot Meijer $0.94

Total: $5.22

I also had some potting soil and plants already purchased, but the photo would've worked without them too.

I took my son and camera outside to a spot that was already dirt, then added a bit of potting soil for a deeper color. I added a phrase I had admired from somewhere earlier to the chalkboard, then arranged the pots, plant and chalkboard. I started with a cute outfit, then just figured the diaper-only shots would work better with the props. My mom and sister helped make him smile (and kept him from actually eating the dirt).

This set could also work for a girl if you added some flowers and used a different phrase on the chalkboard. Watering cans and gardening tools would also work well in this shot—just be careful not to make it too busy.

Family Snapshots: 5 Tips for Creating a Home Studio

Taking portraits in my home studio allows me to capture more smiles.

 Sometimes, my camera feels more like a permanent appendage then a extra piece of equipment. When I found out I was pregnant with my son, I knew my camera would be a constant companion in a different aspect as I recorded my growing family.

And so my home studio began. I've taken professional-level photos of my son every month since he was born—much more often then most people are able to get their pictures taken in a studio. Inside our home, I can take pictures when he's happy and take breaks when he's had enough. I can take pictures where he's comfortable and when I have the patience to catch his toothless grins.

But you don't have to have a photography background to create a space to record your own memories in between trips to a professional. With a few items you may already have in your home and a few low cost pieces, creating a DIY home photo studio can be simple.

Choose the right space. Before you even begin, consider where you will set up. You'll need enough room to move around comfortably, sure, but you should also choose a room with plenty of light—enough light where your camera doesn't try to use the flash. Plus, there may even be a few spaces in your home that don't even need a backdrop, like a plain wall with a wood floor.

Find a backdrop. Think about what's going to be behind your child—you don't want something that's busy, you want the subject to be what stands out. For infants, head to a fabric store and pick up a few yards of a textured fabric—fur is one of my favorites (though it does tend to cling to clothes). For older kids or groups, you will probably need something wider then a bolt of fabric. Thick bedsheets or shower curtains (fabric not plastic so it doesn't reflect light) can work well, or you can find some basic backdrops at pretty good prices on Amazon. You don't need a special stand to hold the backdrop up either—suspend a clothing line, clip it onto a shelf, or for smaller kids, drape it over a table or counter. Just make sure the backdrop is thick enough that you can't see through to what's behind it.

Getting the lighting right. If you choose a well lit space, you may not need any additional lighting at all. But if you need more, try using household lamps, with one on each side of the setup. To mix it up, use a lamp off to one side for a more dramatic lighting effect—desk lamps that angle work great for improv studio lights.

Choose a few props. I take several different poses when I take my son's photos every month, just making sure that I have one that's suitable for a first year frame. But I often use a few different objects to add a little creativity, plus objects help show how big he's getting when there's something else in the picture to compare him too. I have a few friends that take monthly photos with the same object to show their child's growth over time. I often use things I already have around the house, or spend a few dollars on something new.

Be patient and recruit help. The reason I love taking my son's portraits myself is that I don't have to fit smiles into a half hour appointment window. I can take pictures on his schedule, when he's his happiest. It's often difficult to take pictures without a little assistance though, having someone else to make him smile as I take pictures is often a big help.

Capturing pictures of your kids in a home studio allows you to freeze memories in between trips to a professional. And creating your own space for photos can be easy and inexpensive with just a few basics.