Amateur digital snapshots are well and good, some even rise above the ordinary. However, for that special family portrait it is better to hire a professional who understands composition, and the use of light and angles. Good baby photographers possess certain attributes parents should be on the lookout for. Babies rarely pose on demand; therefore patience and understanding are key qualities.
A genuine professional will also guide new parents successfully through the photo shoot experience. There are bound to be questions, the chosen photographer should be happy to address these and allay any concerns. Effective communication is the key to a successful shoot. If everybody feels at ease things will run more smoothly.
Some parents may be happier if the shoot takes place at their home. However, a studio that is free of clutter and which offers good lighting may result in a better quality image. If the session does take place in a studio it should be made safe, warm and comfortable for the baby. The provision of a private space where babies can be fed and changed is a sign of a truly professional approach.
Timing can be crucial in capturing a good likeness. The photographer will discuss this with parents, and depending on their wishes, work out the best course of action. Pictures of sleeping babies can be very endearing and are popular. Ensuring the baby is fed and changed prior to the session is more likely to result in a peacefully napping subject. To capture a wakeful, but contented, child it is better to do the shoot after a nap and a feed.
Having sorted out the complexities of the baby's timetable parents will also have to decide what else they want in the portrait. Objects of sentimental value are often included. These could be gifts from grandparents, or perhaps family heirlooms, such as a nursery quilt that has been passed on from parent to child. However, it is important that these objects do not compete with the central subject of the image.
A decision has to be made as to whether the image should be that of the baby only, or one that includes parents or siblings. If shot alone close-ups of the face work best. They capture those features that are most distinctive, whilst minimizing distracting background space. If other family members are to sit it is best that they wear pale, neutral clothing that does not lead the eye away from the star of the shoot.
For families looking for newborn photography Orange County has much to offer. Professional photographers are often able to view the child from a different perspective, which results in an original portrait that expresses an individuality that others have not yet perceived. Little babies grow and change so quickly, it would be a shame not to capture their newborn essence on camera for perpetuity.
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