Photo Tips
GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Proper lighting is crucial to any great photo and natural lighting is always best. If you’re taking pictures outdoors, try taking them in the morning or early evening (before sunset). Of course on a cloudy day, any time works. For indoor photography, opt for a room that offers as much natural light as possible. Throw open the blinds and if necessary, use additional overhead lighting and lamps. Editing and enhancement is part of our service but a poorly lit photo will be full of "noise" (it will look grainy) and that is not something we can fix.
Use a simple, solid coloured background so as not to distract from your photo's main subject or compete with your card's design elements. In general, when a background is going to be removed or faded, the results are best if the background is plain and lightly coloured. However, dark backgrounds can result in great shots if there is proper lighting. Set up your own make-shift studio and use your bed linens or large bath towels as your backdrop. Regardless of the colour you choose for your background, eliminate background clutter and keep it as simple as possible. Too much clutter is distracting and takes away from the subject of the photo.
Keep clothing choices simple – avoid dressing your baby/child in fussy or “busy” clothing. Patterned clothing can work if the pattern is small and repetitive but solid colours are better. Large colourful patters compete with the subject and should be avoided. Consider dressing your baby/child in their diaper or onesie and let their natural beauty be the focus of the photo.
When photographing babies and/or toddlers, get down to their level and photograph them at eye level and more importantly get close. Don't be afraid to zoom in for a close up of that beautiful baby face. But make sure your picture is in focus! For close-up shots, remember to use your camera's macro setting or your final image will be blurry (macro is generally represented by a flower icon and is for serious close-ups).
Happy children make better models. Ensure your baby/child is fed, rested, and happy before considering a photo session. There’s no point trying to take pictures if your baby isn’t in the mood unless the point is to capture those moods (which can make for great keepsakes) especially when combined with other photos.
Take lots of photos! The advantage of digital cameras is that you can take many photos and simply delete the ones that don’t turn out. Take as many photos as possible and you’re much more likely to get that perfect shot!