Of course, you are taking tons of photos of your newborn baby. It doesn’t matter if your snapshots are blurry, overexposed or grainy to you because each image captures a moment in the life of your precious little one. But whether you choose to send photo birth announcements, present grandparents with a framed portrait, or give someone a personalized gift featuring the image of your little angel, there comes a time when you want your photos to be great.
What stands in your way of taking wonderful photos of your newborn baby? Here are the top eight mistakes and what you can do to avoid them.
mistake 1 – Use of sparkles. A bright flash can not only damage your newborn’s delicate eyes, but it can also scare your angel and put him in a bad mood.
Instead of – turn off the flash. Find a room with plenty of natural light. But don’t place the baby directly in front of a window, because the background will be very bright, but her face will be dark. Check that her face is not covered in shadows. It should appear bathed in soft light.
mistake 2 – Choosing the wrong background. Grandma’s brightly colored patchwork quilt may be a family heirloom, but it’s too stuffy for a newborn portrait.
Instead of – Think soft. A crinkled blanket in a single pastel color is an ideal backdrop to lay out your baby. Position it so that it fills the entire background in your camera’s viewfinder. Alternatively, you can have someone hold your child upright, with the pastel blanket covering part of him as the background.
mistake 3 – Dress your newborn in a distracting outfit. Bright patterns, stripes, checks, checks, and dark colors can overwhelm the photo and take your baby’s attention away.
Instead of – Choose comfortable clothes with plain, simple and soft colors. In this way, your little angel will be the center of the photo, and not what he is wearing.
mistake 4 – Choosing the wrong time to take pictures. If your baby is cranky, cranky, tired, or hungry, she won’t get a good picture no matter how hard she tries.
Instead of – Wait until after he has covered and fed. A rested and happy baby is much more cooperative. Alternatively, try taking photos when your baby is sleeping. There is nothing more peaceful or adorable than a newborn that is fast asleep. A sleeping child makes a very cute image and is very easy to photograph.
mistake 5 – Do not do a last minute model revision. Bits of food (and worse) can easily end up on your baby’s face, spoiling the perfect picture.
Instead of – Look carefully at your little one just before you start clicking, armed with a baby wipe, to make sure they’re ready for the camera.
mistake 6 – Take a photo with the older brother or sister holding the baby in their arms. An older, larger child can overpower a tiny baby in the picture, making her little one practically disappear.
Instead of – Try to take pictures with the older brother’s face close to the baby’s face. The older child could rest next to his newborn, both propped up on pillows. Or she could turn away from the camera to look at the little one or place a kiss on his cheek. This makes the photo more balanced.
mistake 7 – Rush to get the perfect photo during the first days after the birth of your baby. If you’ve decided to send photo birth announcements, for example, you may feel pressured to post them right away. But even the most beautiful babies have temporary blemishes right after birth.
Instead of – Wait a week or two. Your child’s appearance will improve dramatically and her personality will begin to show through her face.
mistake 8 – Assuming you just captured the perfect shot, because it looked great on the LCD screen in your digital camera’s playback mode. It’s hard to properly determine the clarity and brightness of your photo while it’s still in your camera, even if you zoom in to see the details.
Instead of – Load your memory card into the computer and browse the images on your monitor. Or print them as 4×6 snapshots. Before ordering poster-size prints, check sharpness and exposure. Be sure to take plenty of snapshots, so if this particular one doesn’t live up to your expectations, you’ll have other options.
Taking great baby photos, suitable for more than just framing, is within everyone’s reach. You don’t have to take your newborn to a professional studio to get outstanding results. Just avoid these common mistakes, use a steady hand, and take lots of pictures. And soon you’ll be hearing those oohs and ahhs about the wonderful pictures you’ve taken of your beautiful new son.
