Bring Out the Baby Pictures: How to Get Good Pictures of A Fussy Baby

Parents love adorable pictures of their babies. Dressed up in cute apparel with sweet smiles or precious scowls, these visual treasures can be enjoyed for generations to come. But capturing your little one during a fussy moment to snap a lovable photo can be challenging. Here are a few tips from experienced parents and photographers.

Do Basic Maintenance First

One of the cardinal rules of taking precious infant pictures that every newborn photographer will tell you is to take care of your baby’s needs first. Plan to take photos after a nap when the little one is rested and alert. Wait until after a feeding so that hunger will not become an issue. Make sure to change your little one’s diaper before you start taking photos. Meet the baby’s needs to prepare for a relaxed photo session.

Dress the Baby Comfortably

Comfortable baby clothes are important as well. Starched, snug, or warm clothing may be cute, but they can make a baby restless or uncomfortable. Many photographers pose babies with minimal clothing to show more baby and less bundling. Avoid outfits that can easily get wrinkled or stained from baby drool or spit-up and keep a burp cloth handy. Infant shoes are fun, but some babies resist having anything over their feet except loose booties. Don’t go overboard with styling the little’s one hair, as a natural look is often best.

Bring Some Favorite Toys

Colorful or musical toys can help to amuse or distract a newborn that is not too happy with photography efforts. Dangle a preferred toy over the camera to attract attention and take several pictures while they are intent on staring at or listening to the plaything. Try arranging the toys around the child to direct his or her gaze to various angles for an interesting assortment of pictures.

Take the Picture at the Right Time

Timing can mean the difference between success and failure when it comes to baby photography. As mentioned above, plan for pictures after a good nap or early in the day after a restful sleep. If the child shows any signs of irritability or coming down sick, postpone the pictures until the symptoms settle down. Avoid taking baby pictures after a long day of shopping, visiting, or running errands, as the baby may be tired or overexcited and resent posing for the camera.

Baby pictures provide loving memories for years to come. With a little thought and planning, your little one’s first pics can be legendary.

By Anita Ginsburg

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University and now writes articles about health, business, family, and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing. You can follow her on Twitter @anitaginsburg.