Tips for getting the right photo for your   baby announcements

Parents today have many options when it comes to taking that perfect first picture of baby for family and friends to see.  Most hospitals now allow an independent photographer to take baby's first picture soon after birth.  While some parents use these for their birth announcement photos, other prefer to wait until their baby is a few days (or weeks) old before taking just the right picture.

When should I take my baby's picture?

This really depends on the look you are after.  If you want to capture the look of your baby soon after birth, using either the professional photographers pictures or your own snapshots while in the hospital may be preferable.  Keep in mind that professional photographs do take longer to process.  If you are in a hurry to send them out, you may want to consider doing them yourself.

What can we do to make sure our baby's photos look as good as possible?

There are several steps you can take to make sure you get the best possible picture of your new baby. Here are a few tips that are helpful whether you are taking the photos yourself or working with a professional photographer.

1) Clothing choices are important. The colors that tend to photograph the best include bright blues, sky blues and reds. Solid colors or small print tend to photograph better than busy fabrics, which may take the attention away from baby.  Make sure the clothing fits well.  While something around the collar area or shoulders photographs well, avoid overpowering baby with too many frills.  If the outfit is fancy, the background should be kept simple. The shoes and socks (if any) should match and the hair should be kept neat and simple.  Long sleeves tend to be more flattering in photographs than short sleeves.

2)  Coordinate the desired look if more than one person is being photographed.  Decide whether you want a formal or casual look.  Dress all people in the group in similar colors.  Generally lighter colors are less formal and darker colors are more formal.

3)  Match clothing to background.  Bright colors look best with backgrounds that are also brightly colored, while lighter pastel colors look better with lighter backgrounds.

4) Have a helper available. Preferably, have both mom and dad (or at least one other "helper") so that at least one person can position and re-position baby and get her to look at the camera while the other person (or photographer) takes the pictures.  A team effort always works best.

Tips for taking pictures yourself:

1) Be familiar with your camera. If you bought a new high-tech camera for this occasion, make sure you've had a chance to see a few rolls of film developed first.  Every camera is different.

2) Timing is everything. Pick a time during the day (or night!) when your baby is most active, happy and alert.  Although it is probably too early to capture a true smile (most babies don't smile until at least 3 weeks of age), an alert, wide-eyed baby is sure to capture any ones heart.  In contrast, try a few poses with your baby asleep.  You may be surprised what photos really catch your attention.  It's best to take pictures of baby well before or well after feeding time (so that baby isn't crying from hunger, spitting up or falling asleep).

The best advice:  Be an on-call photographer.  It's fun to dress your son or daughter up in a cute outfit with an appealing background and try your luck, but sometimes the best photos are taken on the spur of the moment.

3) Take lots of pictures.  Plan to take several rolls of film over a few days time for the best chance of finding that perfect photo.

4) Try various poses. Take some photos close up for a nice view of baby's facial features, and others that show baby's body as well. Dressing your baby in all white against a white background will draw attention to the face.  

Tips for a photo with a professional

1)  Choose a time of day that the baby is most happy and alert.  An evening appointment may work well.  You may want to ask if home appointments are available, which may be easier for both parents and child. Plan to arrive a  few minutes early (but not too early!) to avoid feeling rushed and to allow baby time to adjust to the new environment.

2) Find out if pictures can be viewed immediately

(some studios have this capability).  This way you do not wait several weeks for the photos to arrive only to discover that you do not "love" any of them. 

3) Find out how long it takes to get the photos back. The time frame you require depends on your personal preferences and on how soon you want to send out the announcements.  A good photographer may be worth the wait.

4) Inform your photographer about the kind of "look" you are wanting from the photos.  Your photographer should be able to take the right kinds of photos to suit your needs.

5) Decide in advance the number of pictures, sizes and poses that you need for your birth announcements. This will help take the anxiety out of the decision-making process when it comes time to select a portrait package. 

What's important to remember:

1) There are no set rules for birth announcements or baby pictures, so be creative and do what feels best for you.  You can mail out announcements right after the baby is born, or you can wait several weeks.  Some parents might even send out the announcements and another picture later in order to have more time to capture "just the right look" to share with family and friends. If you would prefer to send out a family picture as your birth announcement, that also works well.  Many parents include just the children in the photo, while others also include mom and dad.  Think about who you are sending the pictures to and what they may enjoy most.  What kind of picture would you like to have? 

2)  As adorable as your baby is right now, they keep getting cuter.  Try taking pictures (either yourself or with a professional) every 2-4 months and sending them out to those special people on your list ( grandparents, cousins, friends).  Your relatives and friends will appreciate the effort and so will your baby when he gets older. 

3) Don't worry if the photos aren't perfect.  If, after all the work you've done, you still don't think the photo you chose really shows everyone how adorable your baby is:  Don't worry!  There will be plenty of opportunities to send out pictures again.  All major holidays (Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day, Grandparents Day, Mothers Day/Fathers Day, etc.) are great times to send out photos of your baby.  The best reason might be for no reason at all!  Taking one of your baby's first smile or first tooth would be sure warm any ones heart.

All baby's are beautiful.  Were sure the picture you take of your baby will be just perfect in its special way.