Photographing Your Baby - Part III

By: Thea Menagh, OFAE

Everyday props
If your home’s anything like ours, it’s filled with wonderful items you can use for props. Use your imagination!

Hint #15 - Use everyday items of clothing or things around the house to enhance the excitement of your pictures. Little feet in daddy's slippers are adorable. Mom’s floppy hat with big silk flowers brightens any little person, but be sure the shadow of the brim doesn't darken your little one's face. An older sibling's T-shirt can brighten up and add extra interest (not that you really need it!), and wicker baskets are priceless! Your baby’s only this small for the blink of an eye, so use props which will show how tiny they really are.

Keep your camera handy
You’re going to want your camera at the most inopportune moments, and your pictures will be much more natural if your baby’s familiar with the camera and is used to seeing you with it.

Hint #16 - Keep your camera within reach. Unplanned , unexpected wonderful life experiences should be photographed, and if your camera’s in an upstairs closet, without film or charged batteries & flash card (if digital), you’ll miss some precious moments. When you’re 60 and your walls are covered with post-it notes because your memory’s fading, you’ll wish there were more photographs up there, as well.

Props and Doo-Dads
I’m often asked, “Do you do Anne Geddes photos?” No. I wouldn't presume to have her talent and vision, but with digital imaging and a few props, we can do some wonderful things and make some beautiful photographs!

Hint #17 - You can put your baby on a small pillow in a wicker laundry basket or metal bucket with a sunflower on the top of her head, but personally, I don’t attempt to imitate or reproduce any of the absolutely wonderful things Anne Geddes does. I work on location only, so have to make quick decisions regarding lighting and poses, and while I may use serious digital imaging techniques to give clients what they want, basically feel there’s nothing like simplicity and natural wonders. Your baby on a white terry bath sheet, or propped up against some pillows with a pale green sheet thrown over them, can give you an absolutely perfect photo. Too many props, and your baby will place second where the focus of your photo is concerned.

Pets
You naturally assume that your dog or cat loves baby as much as you do, while it sometimes takes that member of your family a little while to become accustomed to the new creature in your life!

Hint #18 - It’s artistic and precious to prop your baby up into the tummy of your golden lab sleeping and curled up in front of the fireplace ... but if your dog’s not accustomed to baby being that close, leave it for a few weeks or months until they become better acquainted. (And even then, be really careful that your 1-year old doesn’t shove her index finger up the dog’s nose!). Cats tend to take off if they’re included in something of no interest to them ... before lashing out and scratching. In my own experience, when a client asks that I include a cat or dog in a baby photograph, I prefer to shoot these things very quickly before either the baby or friend become tired of the fun we’re having.

Closeup
Not all of your baby needs to be included all of the time.

Hint #19 - Sometimes a bit of a blessing is better than having the air knocked out of you with the whole thing all at once. I believe babies are like that! A small dose is often all anyone can handle. A closeup of baby’s mouth, chin and neck, fingers or toes is totally precious. Even if you have a dozen kids, never doubt you’ll always know which little puckered mouth belongs to whom. You don’t need the whole face to remind you!

Postpone your plans
... if your child is ill or exceptionally restless. The sky won’t fall if you put it off for a few days. You don’t look your best when you’re not feeling well, and neither does your baby. You don’t want your little one to feel miserable while you’re tapping his bottom lip trying to get a smile out of him. As a professional baby photographer, I’m all too aware that a child can come down with something very suddenly ... and am always very flexible when it comes to rescheduling a session should baby be feeling unwell on the day of the shoot. Something for mommy and daddy to consider at home, as well.

Hint #20 - Stoop, tilt, lie down and shoot up. Try different angles. Lie on your back and put baby on your tummy. Shoot up ... but catch the drool with a face cloth before it hits your lens! Your baby’s features may be very different with a low camera position. And please don’t chuck a photo simply because the angle’s crooked. Think twice. How will it look in a frame? This could be the most artistic thing you’ve done since giving birth!

About the Author - Thea Menagh owns & operates A Fitting Image Family, Business & Event Photography in Toronto (a division of B&T Graphic Communications Inc., which she also owns). She specializes in maternity, baby, child & family portraits with the trademarked slogan, ® Mummy Tummy to Tiny Toes. She also photographs weddings and events, and before forming B&T, had an over 25-year career in marketing & advertising, during which she incorporated her photography in work produced for Canadian & international clients. In addition to her photography, she also has Use Agreements with Canadian & U.S. companies who use her photographs for greeting cards. She also designs & prints high end business cards & postcards. Visit her website at: www.afittingimage.com.