How to Pose a Baby for Cherished Memories

When you bring a little bundle of joy into the world, you immediately have the desire to capture every moment you can to preserve it forever.  We all know that babies grow up so fast – it is important to cherish every given moment.  

If you have a child, I’m sure you can look back at the first few months of life an remember all kinds of details. And there are also just as many aspects that are gone forever – without a visual representation, you simply forget.

Posing a baby may seem like an easy thing to do. They are little and can’t do much, so how can it be that difficult? Yet the key isn’t in snapping a few images; its knowing what images are important.

With a baby, proportions matter most. A picture of your baby sleeping on a blanket, or cuddled up in dad’s arms is important. But don’t forget relationhips. Baby’s hand wrapped around mom’s finger. Baby’s hands next to dad’s hands. Baby’s feet in the palm of your hand.

And while you should be photographing all the time while your baby is young, don’t forget about relying on a professional as well. When you are looking for the perfect photographer to capture cherished memories of your baby, there are some important questions you should ask.  These questions can include:

1. How long have you been photographing newborns?
2. Have you ever attended baby-posing workshops?  If so, how many and for how long?
3. Can I see pictures of your past work?

You want to pick a photographer who has prior experience in taking pictures and posting newborn babies.  You do not want your baby to be the first one he has photographed for obvious reasons.  You do not know whether or not he will be successful in getting the best poses for your cherished moment photos.

It is also a huge plus if the photographer you choose has trained in the art of posing newborn babies for cute pictures.  These classes, workshops and educational sessions offer photographers a vast amount of knowledge when it comes to babies.  If a photographer chooses to specialize, it means they will be more prepared for all types of situations when dealing with your newborn.

Finally, any photographer with past experience in the field will be glad to show you a portfolio of his past work.  Be sure to pay special attention to the poses of the babies.  Do they look natural?  Do they look happy?  Alternatively, do they look uncomfortable and unhappy?  A past portfolio can tell you a lot about the quality of pictures you will get.

All parents want to capture and treasure every moment of their children being babies.  If you are looking for a photographer to help you capture these memories, follow the tips and advice provided above and you should have no trouble finding the perfect photographer and poses for your baby.

Professional Photographers Offer Consistency

Want a family portrait created this year? Should you try it yourself? Let a friend shoot it for you? Or should you hire a professional?

There is a difference.

Consistency is one of the biggest differences when comparing the work of professionals to amateurs. With an amateur – whether you are trying to capture it yourself or letting your friend set it up for you – the results may be a hit or miss. They may get lucky and capture a great image. Or they may mess everything up, giving you nothing to show for your day together.

Amateurs typically shoot with the situation given to them. If you want a portrait on the beach, they will line you up on the beach. Yet they don’t understand how to fix potential problems before, during and after the session. What if the sun is shining bright, causing your family to squint? What if the background isn’t perfect? What if it changes?

Now compare that to a professional. Professionals are paid to get great results every time.

If you want a portrait at the beach, they can make any beach an inviting backdrop. If one situation doesn’t work, they can turn and shoot from a different direction, getting you picture perfect results every time.

That’s why it is so important to view an entire collection of images from a range of clients the photographer is using as examples. A gallery of 10 great images can simply be a photographer who is showing off his one great image in a thousand. But if you see consistency in everything you look at, with great images again and again, you can be more confident with your selection of a photography company.

Pros won’t stop when the image is created. They can also help you with display options. They make a commitment to be the best they can be. So they read trade publications and attend seminars to learn how to improve their craft. And they find a variety of great ideas that can help you turn your desire for a snapshot into a memory you’ll love and cherish forever.

Tips For Making Your Toddler Feel Secure

Toddlers; they are not quite babies, yet not big kids either. They are constantly striving to find their place in this world. Even though they spend every day exploring and finding something new, in reality it can all be a pretty scary experience.

Teaching a toddler to feel safe and secure takes time and patience. Security is a huge developmental skill that slowly evolves as a child moves from toddler to big kid (and even beyond). And through it all, parents are the most important resource available to teach the what they need to feel comfortable and secure.

1. Create a safe, kid proof environment. Toddlers need to explore without the word “no” creeping into every conversation. Familiar toys, puzzles and games are reassuring. And when you interact and play with them, you begin refining their skills. Find safe areas in all the rooms of your home; then let them do what they do best.

2. Set up a routine. Toddlers thrive on routines. A routine in their days takes away the element of surprise, giving them more room to learn at each stage of the day. Structure your time around snacks, meals, nap time and bed time.

3. Reassure toddlers all day long. A toddler will constantly look to you for input on how and what to feel. When they fall down, should they cry? When they are scared, should they be timid and retreat from what they are doing? A gentle hug and kiss can go a long way in getting rid of developing fears.

4. Encourage your toddler. Boost your toddlers self esteem by introducing him to new things. As he continues to explore, he’ll build more confidence. Reward him with smiles, hugs and kisses.

5. Distract them. Toddlers can build into hysteria quickly. When you see frustration building in your little one, move onto something else. A favourite song, a different toy, or a new situation can have your toddler happy and exploring again in just a few minutes.

6. Comfort and acknowledge any fears. To a toddler, common things can be scary. Your child is likely to be afraid of many things during this timer period, including fear of separation, fear of loud noises, and fear of sleeping alone. While it may be a frustrating time for you, remember your child is figuring out his place in the world. Reassure them constantly. Explain and show them why their fears aren’t true; if they don’t want to sleep alone, show them there isn’t a monster under the bed, and their favourite teddy will help comfort them. And always reassure mommy and daddy are just a few steps away.

7. Help them understand their place in your family. Toddlers are beginning to understand the natural order of things. They are learning trust and reliability, and how the family dynamics work within your home. Consider displaying a family portrait of your immediate family, and with your extended family, to teach your toddler about who is important in their lives.

Photography Equipment Tips For New Parents

When you are packing your bags for the hospital, ready to greet the newest member into your family, you’ll include many things. A comfortable robe, clothes for the ride home, and new outfits for baby are probably already packed. But what about a camera?

Don’t wait until the last moment to think about a camera, only to find yourself in the hospital with nothing but your mobile phone. While they can take the occasional great image, this is one of the most special times in your life. Do you really want to trust it to a phone?

Instead, now is the time to upgrade you camera equipment and purchase something that will give you great images and great memories for many years to come.

Many of the cameras today come equipped with both still and video capabilities. Which mean you can capture a variety of things with only one camera to worry about. While you might not want a whole lot of photographs of you, you’ll probably be photographing everything baby does. When dad holds her for the first time. When grandma and grandpa sneak in for a peak. When she has her first bath.

And with video, you can capture sights and sounds, getting the first “ooh’s and ahh’s” from every visitor.

There are many great point and shoots on the market. The brand doesn’t matter as much as the capabilities. Some love Canon, some love Nikon. And of course there are several other brands that can do the job just as well. While many manufacturers use megapixels as a selling tool, in today’s world its almost a moot point. Most cameras today are at 10 megapixels or more, all which will give you excellent quality in the print size you are most likely to create. Instead, focus in on lens focal length.

Marketing materials will state lens information like this: 3x optical zoom, 24-72mm focal length. Look to the focal length to guide your purchase, not the x optical zoom. You may end up comparing two cameras, both with 3x optical zoom. Yet one may offer you a 24-72mm focal length, while the other may be a 36-108mm. The first would be better suited for shooting in tight spaces, the latter will have a longer telephoto reach. Choose the one best for your situation and what you are looking for in a camera.

If you are ready for more options, now may be the time to invest in a DSLR. A DSLR will give you the opportunity to buy a stand alone body and many different lenses, giving you a variety of options in the coming years. For an entry level DSLR, you can’t go wrong with the Canon Rebel line. Then start with standard lenses and grow from there. A great first choice can be a prime lens, such as a 50mm f/1.8, with a fixed focus length (fixed meaning it doesn’t have zoom capabilities). A second choice would be a 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 zoom. This should give you everything you’ll need for those first memorable shots at the hospital and as you are bringing baby home for the first time.

From there, its all up to you. Have fun and create memories that will last a lifetime.

The New Rules for Your Kids Play Dates

Have kids? Then the words “play date” have a special meaning in your heart.

Yet in today’s world, play dates are getting more and more complicated.  Gone are the days when Suzy goes over to Sally’s house to play house in the yard for a few hours.  With changing social norms and a diversity of family standards, playtime has a whole new set of rules.  If your little Johnny wants to go play with Jeremy, here are a few new play date “rules” to consider.

Set technology standards beforehand - These days kids often come equipped with all the latest technology.  From cellphones to iPods, most kids have all they need to keep them socially connected yet physically detached for hours.  Before hosting a play date, establish a few boundaries for using electronics.

Discover entertainment standards - If your child loves video games, be sure to find out what games are acceptable for your child’s play date before they get there.  You don’t want to offend another child’s parents by allowing their child to play a game they do not approve of. Also make sure they are playing games where both children can play. Too many games these days are set up for 1 player, leaving the other bored.

Plan a varied menu - You might feel obligated to serve carrot and celery sticks at snack time to keep the other parents happy.  While this is an excellent snack, if the kids won’t eat it, it won’t do any good.  Talk with the other parents to determine any dietary or allergy problems. Then mix it up. Try popcorn, veges, fruits – and occasionally cookies and milk.

Know the family setting beforehand - Families take many different shapes these days.  Some children come from split families, while others come from families with step parents.  To avoid embarrassment, and to keep your child from saying anything that might offend, learn a bit about the child’s family life before the play date.

Keep close - While your child may be old enough to stay home alone for brief periods of time, now is not the time to be running errands and leaving them home.  Either take the kids with you, or wait to go out.  You would hate to have something go wrong without you there.