Photo Tips - Episode 1

Mini Inks tips for great photos -part 1

If you are anything like me, taking photos of your newborn baby is compulsory! Blurry, over exposed, taken on a mobile phone, in the dark because you were worried about using a flash.... it doesn't matter because they all represent a special moment like the first bath, smile, hold by grand parents or little brother.

But if you want to take photos specifically to share with everyone for birth announcements, baby thank you cards or baby keepsake cards, perhaps even baptism or christening invitations, and you want them to look the best, its easy to create a 'studio look' photo in your own home.

Here are some tips to making a 'photo session' work for you. (I know I have chosen the easy option of using a doll that doesn't squirm, wriggle and is always placid but you can get the general idea!)

NB: I am not a professional photographer - I don't have a studio but I love taking photos of my kids. None of these photos have been edited and they are all taken using 'dummy mode' on my camera no fancy tricks, just helpful tips!

1. LIGHTING, lighting, lighting - tip number 1

Great lighting creates clean crisp photos that are more likely to be in focus, less grainy and aren't wrecked by harsh shadows.

• Turn the flash off - flash lights can startle a new born and make them cranky. They also can cast hard shadows on babies face and around their body.

• Natural lighting - is the best. Open all of the curtains/blinds, turn all of the indoor lights on.  I have even used an empty bathtub filled with blankets! - It's nice and white and many bathrooms have sky lights and good sunny lighting. This creates softer shadows and a more natural skin colour.  

• Position of light source- try not to pose baby with an open bright sunny window directly behind them.  This will make your subject dark with the light behind being over exposed. Instead, position yourself between the window and your baby so that baby is bathed in the light, but you are pointing the camera away from the window.

• Go outside- I think photos look best outside. Try taking photos on a sunny day outside under a pergola, sail or well shaded tree. Direct sunlight is harsh on a newborns skin and can also cast hard shadows. If you are under a tree, make sure the dappled shade isn't dappling your babies face as well. In full shade, shadows are soft, skin tones are natural, dewy and soft - just like a babies bottom!