| Of course, you're taking tons of photos of your | | | | makes a very cute picture and he's very easy to |
| newborn baby. It doesn't matter whether your | | | | photograph. |
| snapshots are blurry, overexposed or grainy to you | | | | Mistake 5 - Not doing a last minute model check. Stray |
| because each picture captures a moment in your | | | | bits of food (and worse) can easily end up on your |
| precious little one's life. But whether you're choosing to | | | | baby's face, spoiling the perfect picture. |
| send photo birth announcements, present the | | | | Instead - Carefully look over your little one right before |
| grandparents with a framed portrait, or give someone | | | | you start clicking away, armed with a baby wipe, to |
| a personalized gift containing the image of your little | | | | make sure he's camera ready. |
| angel, there comes a time when you want your | | | | Mistake 6 - Taking a photo with big brother or sister |
| photographs to be great. | | | | holding the baby in his or her arms. An older, larger child |
| What stands in your way of taking wonderful photos | | | | can overpower a tiny infant in the picture, making your |
| of your newborn baby? Here are the top eight | | | | little one practically disappear. |
| mistakes and what you can do to avoid them. | | | | Instead - Try taking pictures with the older sibling's face |
| Mistake 1 - Using flash. Not only can a bright flash hurt | | | | close to the baby's face. The older child could rest |
| your newborn's delicate eyes, it can also startle your | | | | next to your newborn, both propped up by pillows. Or |
| angel and make him cranky. | | | | he could turn away from the camera to look at the |
| Instead - turn the flash off. Find a room where there is | | | | little one or place a kiss on his cheek. This makes for a |
| lots of natural light. But don't pose the baby directly in | | | | more balanced photo. |
| front of a window, because the background will be | | | | Mistake 7 - Rushing to get the perfect photo during the |
| very bright, but his face will be dark. Check to make | | | | first few days after your baby is born. If you have |
| sure that his face is not covered with shadows. He | | | | decided to send photo birth announcements, for |
| should seem bathed in soft light. | | | | example, you may feel pressured to get them out right |
| Mistake 2 - Choosing the wrong background. | | | | away. But even the most beautiful babies have |
| Grandma's bright patchwork quilt may be a family | | | | temporary imperfections right after birth. |
| heirloom, but it's too busy for a newborn portrait. | | | | Instead - Wait for a week or two. Your child's |
| Instead - Think soft. A rumpled, pastel solid color | | | | appearance will improve dramatically, and his |
| blanket is an ideal backdrop on which to place your | | | | personality will start to show through his face. |
| baby. Position it so that it takes up the entire | | | | Mistake 8 - Assuming you just captured the perfect |
| background in your camera's viewfinder. As an | | | | shot, because it looked so good on the LCD screen in |
| alternative, you can have someone hold your child | | | | playback mode on your digital camera. It's hard to |
| upright, with the pastel blanket draped over part of | | | | adequately determine clarity and brightness of your |
| them as a background. | | | | photo while it is still in your camera, even if you zoom |
| Mistake 3 - Dressing your newborn in a distracting | | | | in to see the details. |
| outfit. Bright patterns, stripes, checks, plaid, and dark | | | | Instead - Upload your memory card to the computer |
| colors can overwhelm the photo and take the | | | | and examine the pictures on your monitor. Or have |
| attention off your baby. | | | | them printed as 4x6 snapshots. Before you order a |
| Instead - Choose comfortable clothes with plain, simple, | | | | poster sized prints, check them for sharpness and |
| soft colors. This way, your little angel will be the focus | | | | exposure. Make sure you take lots of snapshots, so if |
| of the photo, and not what he's wearing. | | | | this particular one doesn't live up to your expectations, |
| Mistake 4 - Picking the wrong time to take | | | | you'll have other options. |
| photographs. If you're baby is fussy, cranky, tired or | | | | Taking great baby photos, suitable for more than |
| hungry, you will not get a good picture, no matter how | | | | framing, is within everyone's grasp. You don't have to |
| hard you try. | | | | take your newborn to a professional studio to get |
| Instead - Wait until after he has napped and been fed. | | | | outstanding results. Just avoid these common |
| A rested, happy infant is much more cooperative. As | | | | mistakes, use a steady hand, and take plenty of |
| an alternative, try taking photos when your baby is | | | | pictures. And soon you'll be hearing those oohs and |
| sleeping. There is nothing more peaceful or adorable | | | | ahhs over the wonderful photographs you've taken of |
| than a newborn who is sound asleep. A sleeping child | | | | your beautiful new child. |