The biggest dilemma when photographing our smallest stars is that they do not yet understand that you can still be there even if they cannot see you. I chuckle often at my two year old who will hide her face when caught doing something naughty. Her logic dictates that if she can’t see me I can’t see her. Even at younger ages, babies identify with that sort of logic. It doesn’t matter if you are in the same room, if he or she cannot see you your baby will become agitated to some degree, which makes those smiles far more fleeting.

If you would like to capture those smiles while being able to stay behind the camera there are a few tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you do just that. The simplest solution is for those who have digital cameras with the preview feature that allows you to see on the screen exactly what the lens will capture. This allows you to hold the camera away from your face and lower so that your little one can respond to your smiles and you can still capture the perfect moment on you camera without ever once needing to hide your face from your little one.

If your camera does not have this nifty feature you do not need to despair. You can try using a favorite toy in order to light your baby’s face with smiles and giggles. Music is another great thing to which our babies respond. Hum along to one of his or her favorites or make up a silly song about taking pictures. You can also dance around behind the camera and turn it into a game of peek-a-boo, be careful however that you are standing still when you snap that perfect shot.

Capturing your baby’s smiles for future enjoyment may seem to be a daunting task if you do not go about it with the attitude of having fun and sharing a special moment with your precious little one. The most important thing is that you have fond memories attached to the photographs you take of your baby and his or her beautiful smiles.

While there are no hard and fast rules to which events must absolutely be covered and since it is very impractical to have a camera within reach at all times there are a few moments that you will want to take great care in trying to catalog. Some of these special events for which you will want to be sure to snap plenty of baby pictures include some of the following.

1. First steps. While the probability of you actually getting the very first steps your baby takes on film your baby will have a few days of wobbly steps and a great sense of pride and accomplishment for you to capture this moment on film (or data cards as the case may be). This is an important moment for your baby and will be a bittersweet time for you as your child takes the first of many steps towards independence.
2. That first tooth. While we love our baby’s smiles there is something special about that one smile where one tooth is proudly displayed for the world to see. Your baby has labored hard and spent many nights in misery for this small trophy. You should record this moment and take comfort in the knowledge that your little one may have a day or two of peace and relative painlessness before the next tooth begins to work its way to the surface.
3. Raising her head. This is one of the first major accomplishments your baby will experience. When she begins to raise her head on her own she will begin for the first time to really see and desire to explore the world around her. A world beyond her mommy and daddy.
4. Siblings holding baby. There are few photos that are more precious than those of older siblings holding their baby brother or sister for the very first time. These are the photos you will want to grace the cover of your baby photo album and send out in your birth announcements for many reasons. First, it eases big brother/sister anxiety and lets them know that they are still important. Second, it gives the baby a reference to those times that he or she will not remember in the future. Finally, this is a huge bonding experience and a tender moment for siblings, who wouldn’t want to record this special moment?

You will find plenty more opportunities to take excellent baby pictures throughout the life of your precious little one. Don’t sweat the details so much that you forget to record a photo of baby with daddy (or several) and mommy in the process. The memories behind the photos will prove far more precious in time than the photos themselves so be sure to capture some special moments to recollect later.