Helpful Hints for Taking Great Photos of Your Baby:
This is an overwhelming task to embark single handedly. Try to take your photos when someone else is able to be there with you. This individual will not only be able to distract and keep baby happy, but they will provide another level of safety while your hands are on the camera.Camera Settings:
- Turn the date stamp off.
- Set your camera to its highest resolution.
- Explore your different setting options. If there is a setting for delayed/sequenced shots, this could be a fun setting to try. It will give you a sequence of shots as your baby moves about.
Timing
- It is important to plan your "photo shoot" when baby is happiest. Unless of course you would like a photo of your baby sleeping.
- Baby will be most happy when well fed and rested. If baby is tired and hungry, they are more likely to become cranky restless.
Lighting
- Natural light is best. Early morning and early evening provide the best natural lighting.
- If using flash, be sure to stay within your flash range. If you are too far away, the picture will be dark. If you are too close, the picture will look over exposed.
Clothing
- Try to maintain solid colors. Busy patterns can often take the attention away from the baby and on to his/her outfit.
- When dressing your baby for this photo, keep in mind the card you are interested in and its color scheme. For example, we have several sport themed cards. Perhaps you want to dress your baby in a specific team/sports jersey. We also have cards that are predominantly one color. For example, if a card is predominantly pastel green, typically yellow or pink clothing will look best with it.
- Keep in mind that white clothing will tend to wash out skin tones, expecially the face. Try to avoid solid white. A mixture of colors with white is fine.
Background
- Keep the background simple. Backgrounds with too much detail/pattern will draw the attention away form the baby. The best backgrounds are either a white or black sheet draped behind or below the baby. This gives you the same stage you would find at a photo studio.
Camera Angle
- Try to be as close as possible. Typically the closest you should be is about 3 feet away.
- If baby is not able to sit up, stand directly over him/her.
- If baby is able to sit up, get down so that the camera lens is eye level with them.
- If you intend to use more than one photo on your birth announcement it is important to think of other angles you can use.
- Experiment! Explore the different angles/sides of your baby.
Uploading Photos
- Do not crop image. We will crop for you if needed.
- Do not do any "touch-ups" on the photo. Write in special instructions what you would like done, and we will see if it is possible.
- Submit photo in original color mode. We will change to grayscale if that is what you desire.