Bringing up a Camera Baby: Getting the Best Portraits of Your Newest Addition

They grow up so fast. You’ve heard it a million times. But it’s not until you have your own bundle of joy that you realize how quickly your helpless newborn becomes a precocious toddler, and then, as if before your eyes, a self-sufficient adult. With a little planning you can ensure those first months of life will last forever in beautiful portraits.

Snap early. You might still be getting over the shock of learning you are pregnant, especially if it’s your first time, but it’s not too early to plan for baby portraits. You should consider scouting out a good photographer, one who specializes in baby portraits and booking him or her prior to your baby’s arrival.

This way you’ll have a better chance of getting the photographer you want. Consider arranging for the photographer to be available in the hospital to capture your baby’s very first moments. Knowing a professional photographer is on the scene to create memories frees up your partner to focus on what’s really important: you and the new arrival.

Snap often. Plan to have newborn portraits taken before your baby is 10 days old. Other portraits should follow at 3 months, 6 to 9 months, one year and two years to capture all the developmental milestones. These too, should be booked well in advance.

Know what to expect. Getting familiar with your baby’s developmental stages will help create realistic expectations for portraits.

Camera ready newborn:

At this stage baby will be photographed in the arms of a parent with focus on baby to show the security and love in this new relationship.

Camera-ready baby at 3 months:

At 3 months babies may need to be held in portraits or photographed lying down. A sleeping baby is always precious to photograph at this stage when possible. Bringing in a special blankie or stuffie for comfort is always a good idea. An heirloom can also be incorporated into the portrait. There is no need to worry about outfits at this point. Photo segments of the baby’s hands, feet, and ears will forever preserve this special moment in time.

Camera-ready baby at 6 months:

By 6 months babies can sit up, creating more photographic options for poses or creative photography. This is where toys and props can start to come into the picture. Babies will also start to respond with facial expressions. The photographer can now focus on those candid expressions. Make sure to pack along stuffed toys or other items your little one responds to. This is where you may want to introduce a special outfit into the photographs.

Camera-ready baby at 9 months:

Babies start to teethe around 9 months, and that means lots of drool. Make sure you’re prepared for this phase. Bringing wipes and other essentials will make the portrait session go more smoothly. Don’t force your baby into a photo shoot if it’s a particularly grumpy day. Try to reschedule. It is also important to book your portrait session around your baby’s nap times.

At 9 months babies also begin to make strange and may not respond well to the photographer. Take your lead from your little one. Make sure your photographer has patience and will work in some “Mommy & Me” time.

Camera-ready baby at 12 months:

One-year-olds will often be standing, if not walking! This is a great time to bring out all those wonderful baby shoes and other items you’ve been saving for just such an occasion. You may need to be prepared for being in this portrait session depending on your little one’s ability to stay where positioned.

Camera-ready two-year old:

At this point you are ready to introduce an outdoor portrait session.

A play date in the park or a slightly rainy day playing in puddles and wearing rain gear makes for a fun day for your toddler and for incredible photographs. At this stage they tend to be more cooperative if able to have fun outdoors.

Don’t fret about the face. Where is it written that your baby has to look directly at the camera? Often these direct shots are hard to get and the baby looks startled. As your baby gets more independent, he or she will be more likely to look toward toys, books and other objects of interest. Consider making those objects part of the photo shoot rather than enticements to look into the camera. Profile and three-quarter angles make photos that are just as compelling, if not more, than the face-forward variety.