I worked in a photo lab for several years before having our first and only child. Our lab saw a wide variety of bad, good and great photos. Here are a few tips to help you improve your photos of your little ones.
Natural Light. Try to shoot your photos outside if at all possible. You can’t beat the natural light. The best lighting is right after sunrise or right before sunset. If it is the middle of the afternoon find a shady area or use your flash outside to balance the harsh shadows.
Play peek-a-boo. Interact with your little one to coax an expression out of them. Do whatever it takes to get a giggle out of them.
Get close. Keep the background simple by getting in close to your subject. Watch the background for distracting objects. No need to do a full body shot. It is the natural facial expression you are trying to capture.
Ready, Set, Action. Getting a little one to sit still for pictures is a challenge I don’t want to take. Give them a ball and put them on the move. Most digital cameras have “shutter lag”, it can take a second from the moment you press the shutter until it actually takes the photo. A way to get around this is to press the shutter half way, it will lock the focus. Press all the way when you are ready to take your photo.
Go black and white. The majority of digital cameras on the market will take photos in black and white. Or convert it to black and white with software later. Black and white photography has a timeless, romantic quality that is works great for babies.
The more the merrier. Add more people to your photos of baby. Everyone wants to hold the baby. Use those moments to capture great family shots. Those pictures will also make great gifts for family.
Over shoot your baby. Take more photos than you think you need. Change your angle and perspective. Delete the photos you don’t like but the more you take the more great photos you will get.