1. Take those cute curled up in a ball baby shots! These work best when your baby is under 2 weeks old. Make sure your home is really warm, even if you live in a warm climate turn the heat on in your house to about 75-80. You want your baby to be warm, peaceful and have a full belly before you begin your photo taking. Baby will be most comfy wrapped up in a swaddle blanket or you can place a soft one over their bouncy seat and put them on it. Try different angles while you are at it! Get up on a stool to take a shot from above. Lay on the floor and get one on their level. Avoid using the camera's zoom feature, get in closer to your baby yourself.

2. Make sure to take pics of all those little fingers and toes-you know you counted them all at least twice! Now is the time to capture them for always. Body Part Suggestions: the cord that hasn't fallen off yet, the ears, the shoulders, their Buddha belly, knees, dimples in their cheeks, back of their neck, nose, lips, and a full naked one for your keepsake album only.

3. Use the natural light in your home. Don't turn on your flash, instead position your baby near a large window, put your back to that window and have your baby facing you. Take a few test shots and make sure the sun is not too bright on them, if so you can close the blinds 1/2 way or put one of the curtains back not letting in as much sun, etc.

4. All newborns and babies look adorable in knit hats because it shows off their beautiful eyes! Of course if your little one was born with a head full of hair-make sure to show it off too, just don't put a big old baby bow in it-that will take the focus off your baby. It is always best to dress them in solid colors, avoid patterns, etc. You want your baby to shine through not the brand name of their clothing. Also, texture photographs very well. Avoid white the most because it reflects the light too strongly.

5. Make sure to take lots of pics, then you will have more to choose from and have a better chance of getting "the shot". You don't want to miss getting that adorable yawn or first smile so always have your camera nearby! Have fun, you don't have to worry about wasting film. Take lots and lots and lots of pictures. Be sure to include siblings and YOURSELF in the capture as well sometimes.

1. Get them involved: lay out a few choices of clothes and let them choose an outfit. Encourage them to pick out something bold and fun. Ask them what room in the house would be the best for some photos. Take them outside for even better lighting, just find a nice shady spot that is not too dark. if they are having to squint, the sun is too harsh. You can be "shade explorers" and find the best place.

2. No "cheese" please. You can let them say anything they want just not cheese. A mouth forming the word cheese doesn't look natural on anybody. Ask them what animals make funny noises. You can even help them by singing songs differently, such as, "row row row your truck gently down the stream"...

3. Don't stress about it. Unless your child is a professional model, telling them to smile usually doesn't work. You want their REAL smile right? Then it is all about candids. Taking pictures of them when they are doing their favorite thing. If that's jumping on the trampoline or blowing bubbles or playing in the pool-you have a much better chance of capturing the real deal.

4. Play a cd of their favorite music to truly make it a fun time. You can catch them dancing and singing and having fun! Let them dress up and have a blast while you snap away. Plus all those cute dress up clothes provide more fun props for your photos.

5. Be sneaky. Take a photo when they least expect it-the end of their nap right before they wake up. At the breakfast table, their walk to the bus, in the grocery store, while they are in their room reading a book, building blocks and knocking them over, the dentist office. Putting their cars in a row over and over. Putting make up on your mirror. Capture them as they are right now. Hurry and start taking those photos before they lose their 1st tooth or go on their first date. Document it all.

Photo tips & photos provided by Sweet on You Photography
www.sweetonyouphotography.com

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