Comments on: Day 2: Take Your Own Pictures http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:30:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Anonymous http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14886 Anonymous Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:03:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14886 At first I was paying to have professional photos done and then I realized that I could do the exact same thing at home WAY cheaper. So, I looked at other peoples pro photos for ideas for poses at the different ages and then recreated the scenes at home. <br />Backdrops are quickly created with king size bed sheets (I recommend ironing out the wrinkles) draped over something (such is the side of the crib) and then pulled out underneath the baby on the floor (with age appropriate supports covered underneath).<br />Following the pro's cue, I use a darker sheet (navy blue) with darker clothing and lighter sheet (cream) with lighter outfits. This also gives you greater versatility in choosing the color. My baby always looks washed out with a white background, but much better with a cream one. If you are willing to spend a bit, go to the local fabric store and buy a large piece of suede or velvet (watch the Sunday paper for coupons to save 40%). This can be used over and over again.<br />Age appropriate supports-- When the baby is younger you can do this with a nice blanket over a bouncy seat, upgrade to the boppy pillow covered with the back drop as they get better head control, etc.<br />In the fall, a really nice picture with kids is to rake all the leaves into a pile and put the children in it. The fall colors provide a beautiful natural background.<br />Everyone comments how great my shots look and are surprised to learn that I did them myself.<br />Once the photos are set up, just snap away. Try to zoom in enough that the back drop takes up the entire shot, but if the baby moves and the shot is askew, either crop or go in with photo editing software and clone the background to blend the spot.<br />One other bonus is that you can never seem to get 4x6 photos in the photo sheets from the pros (a major pet peeve of my husband), when you do it yourself, you have complete control of sizes, no one dictating that you need to have a zillion wallet size pictures that you will never use. At first I was paying to have professional photos done and then I realized that I could do the exact same thing at home WAY cheaper. So, I looked at other peoples pro photos for ideas for poses at the different ages and then recreated the scenes at home.
Backdrops are quickly created with king size bed sheets (I recommend ironing out the wrinkles) draped over something (such is the side of the crib) and then pulled out underneath the baby on the floor (with age appropriate supports covered underneath).
Following the pro’s cue, I use a darker sheet (navy blue) with darker clothing and lighter sheet (cream) with lighter outfits. This also gives you greater versatility in choosing the color. My baby always looks washed out with a white background, but much better with a cream one. If you are willing to spend a bit, go to the local fabric store and buy a large piece of suede or velvet (watch the Sunday paper for coupons to save 40%). This can be used over and over again.
Age appropriate supports– When the baby is younger you can do this with a nice blanket over a bouncy seat, upgrade to the boppy pillow covered with the back drop as they get better head control, etc.
In the fall, a really nice picture with kids is to rake all the leaves into a pile and put the children in it. The fall colors provide a beautiful natural background.
Everyone comments how great my shots look and are surprised to learn that I did them myself.
Once the photos are set up, just snap away. Try to zoom in enough that the back drop takes up the entire shot, but if the baby moves and the shot is askew, either crop or go in with photo editing software and clone the background to blend the spot.
One other bonus is that you can never seem to get 4×6 photos in the photo sheets from the pros (a major pet peeve of my husband), when you do it yourself, you have complete control of sizes, no one dictating that you need to have a zillion wallet size pictures that you will never use.

]]> By: Scribbit http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14887 Scribbit Fri, 03 Aug 2007 01:35:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14887 I've found Picasa nice and easy to use too, much easier than say Photoshop.<br /><br />Our secret to photos? Make friends with a professional photographer who gives you portraits as birthday gifts :)<br /><br />It's terrific. I’ve found Picasa nice and easy to use too, much easier than say Photoshop.

Our secret to photos? Make friends with a professional photographer who gives you portraits as birthday gifts :)

It’s terrific.

]]> By: mama k http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14888 mama k Thu, 02 Aug 2007 16:25:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14888 Awhile back I posted my tips for taking great (professional looking) newborn pictures:<br />http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/05/photographing-offspring.html<br /><br />We have only had one professional photo shoot done and that was for his Christening. We went to Sears and it wasn't too expensive. <br />Still, I'm planning on doing another home photo shoot for his 1st bday pictures. I use Shutterfly.com. They are not the cheapest, but they let you store as many pictures as you want for as long as you want on their site. They also have great photo gifts.<br /><br />Another idea I saw (and copied) was taking a picture of baby in the same chair with the same stuffed animal each month for the first year. I get to see how he has grown and changed month to month in comparison to the same setting. This would be a fun tradition to continue at each birthday. Awhile back I posted my tips for taking great (professional looking) newborn pictures:
http://mamaknj.blogspot.com/2007/05/photographing-offspring.html

We have only had one professional photo shoot done and that was for his Christening. We went to Sears and it wasn’t too expensive.
Still, I’m planning on doing another home photo shoot for his 1st bday pictures. I use Shutterfly.com. They are not the cheapest, but they let you store as many pictures as you want for as long as you want on their site. They also have great photo gifts.

Another idea I saw (and copied) was taking a picture of baby in the same chair with the same stuffed animal each month for the first year. I get to see how he has grown and changed month to month in comparison to the same setting. This would be a fun tradition to continue at each birthday.

]]> By: Ann @TheAssetEdge http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14889 Ann @TheAssetEdge Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:38:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14889 I've often thought about trading family photo time with another family. Ask a friend (who's photography you like) to come take photo shoots of your family, then recipricate the favor for their family. <br /><br />You can even bring samples of nice photographs that you want to mimic with your family photos. It's much easier to replicate a great photo opp, than try to create the photo opp on your own! I’ve often thought about trading family photo time with another family. Ask a friend (who’s photography you like) to come take photo shoots of your family, then recipricate the favor for their family.

You can even bring samples of nice photographs that you want to mimic with your family photos. It’s much easier to replicate a great photo opp, than try to create the photo opp on your own!

]]> By: Kris http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14890 Kris Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:09:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14890 We've only taken one family photo, but I do pay for school pictures every year. As a teacher, I see just how long the photographer takes on those pictures, so you think I wouldn't buy them anymore...<br /><br />I took lots of pictures of my extended family this summer when I was visiting. I plan on giving photos (looking for cute, cheap frames) for Christmas gifts this year. This is a $5 gift that nobody will even care how little it cost. We’ve only taken one family photo, but I do pay for school pictures every year. As a teacher, I see just how long the photographer takes on those pictures, so you think I wouldn’t buy them anymore…

I took lots of pictures of my extended family this summer when I was visiting. I plan on giving photos (looking for cute, cheap frames) for Christmas gifts this year. This is a $5 gift that nobody will even care how little it cost.

]]> By: SB http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14891 SB Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:03:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14891 I am a pro photographer myself. And the main thing my customers want is natural poses of their children. Even though I have an education and skill, I don't that much more than any other mom with a camera. <br /><br />I do keep my prices VERY low. (my clients tell me that my work is better and CHEAPER than Target packages after all the fees and extras.) I charge less because I could not live with myself if I were gouging another mom, just because I could. I have strong standards. <br /><br />That being said...I always recommend natural light and remember to take pictures of everything, even the bad haircuts, lollipop faces, busted lips, and the first time your lil girl steals your lipstick.<br /><br />:)<br /><br />www.suzannebalvanz.blogspot.com I am a pro photographer myself. And the main thing my customers want is natural poses of their children. Even though I have an education and skill, I don’t that much more than any other mom with a camera.

I do keep my prices VERY low. (my clients tell me that my work is better and CHEAPER than Target packages after all the fees and extras.) I charge less because I could not live with myself if I were gouging another mom, just because I could. I have strong standards.

That being said…I always recommend natural light and remember to take pictures of everything, even the bad haircuts, lollipop faces, busted lips, and the first time your lil girl steals your lipstick.

:)

http://www.suzannebalvanz.blogspot.com

]]> By: sarah http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14892 sarah Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:15:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14892 If you want to do a yearly family picture, many digital cameras have self-timers on them. Look in your manual for instructions. You might invest in a tripod, which can be had for less than $30 most of the time... also great for capturing low-light photos when you don't want to use the flash, so your pictures don't turn out blurry from hand movement. If you want to do a yearly family picture, many digital cameras have self-timers on them. Look in your manual for instructions. You might invest in a tripod, which can be had for less than $30 most of the time… also great for capturing low-light photos when you don’t want to use the flash, so your pictures don’t turn out blurry from hand movement.

]]> By: Kara http://momadvice.com/blog/2007/08/day-2-take-your-own-pictures/comment-page-1#comment-14893 Kara Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:31:00 +0000 http://momadvice.com/blog2/?p=1326#comment-14893 We haven't had professional pics done for almost 3 years, when Toddler was a baby. I feel bad because I would like nice pics of them, but then I think "you know, my parents didn't get a ton of professional pics of me when I was little, and I don't care, so my kids won't either." I would like to try to get a yearly family pic, I'm just afraid to go cuz they always talk me into buying more than I intended. I agree it's those snapshots we take that mean more :) We haven’t had professional pics done for almost 3 years, when Toddler was a baby. I feel bad because I would like nice pics of them, but then I think “you know, my parents didn’t get a ton of professional pics of me when I was little, and I don’t care, so my kids won’t either.” I would like to try to get a yearly family pic, I’m just afraid to go cuz they always talk me into buying more than I intended. I agree it’s those snapshots we take that mean more :)

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