Taking Baby Pictures

Perhaps one of the most challenging photography assignments to take on is photographing children. Overall, children can be quite difficult to work with, and who can blame them? After all, these little people are often dressed in outfits that although may be adorable in the eyes of the parent, the clothes may not be comfortable for the child to wear. There are the other factors as well, such as hot, bright lights, a strange environment, and strange people who make strange noises and point scary objects at them. Although some children seem to enjoy the experience, many find the experience unnerving. However, there are some preparation steps that you can take that may minimize the negative experience for the child and, in turn, produce more favorable results.
Communication
Just like any photo session, communication with the client is essential. Children often have a daily routine that consists of eating, playing and napping. At all cost, avoid scheduling a photo session around the child’s feedings. Not only will you have a fussy child to work with, you run into the very real probability that a mess will occur and your props will forever more require a healing brush during post-production. It is much better to schedule the photo session around the child’s play time. This way, the child will be in a better mood and the prints will reflect the child’s character.
Set Selection
It is best to discuss the set and prop selection with the client well in advance. Simplicity is often the best choice when working with children. Young children and toddlers see the props as toys. After all, to a child flowers are meant to be picked, books are meant to be read, and chairs are meant to be moved. Oftentimes, there are props on set that resemble toys and things to play with. If your set consists of balls and activity gear, then you may have a challenge at hand.
Set Familiarity
When it comes to set familiarity, there are two schools of thought. First, some photographers will say it is best to allow the child to become familiar with the surroundings before engaging in the session. The premise is that the child will be more cooperative if he or she does not perceive the set as a threatening area, thus becoming more comfortable. The second school of thought is to hit-and-run. Generally, this group believe that if a child spends too much time on a set he or she will become bored and may become less cooperative. The hit-and-run group are usually on a tight schedule and do not have the time or patience to deal with uncooperative subjects. You may find that allowing the children and their parents to spend some time alone on the set will usually produce better photographs than the latter.
Post Production
In addition to the standard levels, curves, and cropping that typically occur after a photo session, children oftentimes require a little more work. Consider applying Gaussian blur to soften the child’s skin, after all, a subtle blur suggests a degree of innocence. Pay particular attention to any scratches on the child’s face, especially around the nose and eyes. Children often scratch themselves and you do not want such blemishes to appear on the prints.
Working with children may be a challenge, but the rewards are plentiful. Parents cherish these photographs and they will often last a lifetime. Be patient and communicate with the client. The clients often know what they want, so work with them as much as possible to bring their vision to light. Clients who are happy with you as a photographer will likely become regular customers for years to come.