Here are some ideas for some creative St. Paddy’s portrait keepsakes:

• Balloons:  A simple bunch of green balloons is a unique way to draw attention to the picture.   Sometimes one big green balloon will add a little bit of uniqueness to your photo, too.  Against a stunning blue sky, on a bright sunny day, you are bound to create a setting that everyone will dote on.

• Hats: Local party supply stores have a lot of different styles;  Derby hats, green glittery top hats, a striped stove hat, or a charming plaid Gatsby style topper.   Add one of these hats to your baby, toddler, or older child’s precious little head, and you will definitely capture a fun mood in your shot.

• Green Feather Boa: This fun prop can be wrapped around your sleeping baby or wrapped around your diaper clad infant or toddler.  It adds texture and color, all-the-while capturing that winning photo.

While adding props to your portrait scene can really make your prints interesting and entertaining, there are a few things to remember and do that will make a good picture, a phenomenal picture.

• Lay the kids down, with their heads touching, and shoot from above.  This perspective is fun!

• Follow the “rule of thirds” by place your subjects on one of the imaginary lines that make up three vertical and horizontal columns/rows.   This rule produces an image that is very aesthetically pleasing.

• Seek motion in your picture by letting your subjects move freely while you shoot.  Sometimes this type of photography will produce that accidental image that you will treasure always.

“May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night.”
~Irish Blessing

What’s more metaphorical than a newborn baby in front of freshly bloomed flowers?  What a beautiful way to create a photo keepsake or gift, to commemorate your baby’s arrival this spring. A simple wicker basket with a special blanket laid down inside would make a nice prop for such a photo shoot. It doesn’t even matter if your baby is asleep or newly wide-eyed. The natural light and blooms will make a picture such as this a family favorite for years to come.

Another spring-time renewal is the picnic. No more picnics in front of the television set; it’s time to picnic under the puffy clouds of spring. This setting calls out to be documented, whether it’s in an album or for scrapbooking.  It’s the perfect natural backdrop for a portrait of your children sitting together, eating, laughing, playing, and enjoying the day.

Some tips for making your spring-time photos flourish:

1. Take photos in the early morning hours, before the sun is at it’s highest.
2. Create “catch light” in the eyes of your subject by making sure the sun is behind you.
3. Coordinate your childrens’ outfits and stick to non-busy, distracting styles of patterns.
4. Be sure to capture your child’s energy by taking shots that are everyday but extraordinary.
5. Snap that camera a lot; you are obtaining images that will last a lifetime.

Here are some tips to help you take awesome photographs of your newborn baby:

• Make it a habit: take pictures all the time.   It will be wonderful to look back on the first bath, the first visit from that special relative, the first time everything and anything.   Establishing this habit early on will also ensure that you are adequately documenting your child’s life through photography.

• Taking pictures all the time means that you are snapping during those not-so-perfect, cranky times.  Babies, like the rest of us, have changing moods.  Why not capture it all?

• Use props like a special rattle or stuffed animal.  Also, make sure to use the people in your baby’s life as props.  Capture and commemorate those special moments between baby and her siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

• Light, Camera, Action:
  1. When taking pictures of newborns especially you should seek soft, diffused light. Take pictures of your baby by the window as opposed to in direct sunlight.  Overcast days are really some of  the best lighting conditions.
  2. Eliminate red eye by enabling the red eye reduction function on your camera.  Also try to divert your babies eyes from looking directly into the camera as this will help eliminate red eye, too.
  3. Surely newborns are easy to pose, but you should strive to catch your baby moving.   Set your camera to it’s sports mode so you can catch all the movements of you precious newborn.

Don’t be stingy, either.  Print those pictures up and share them with your loved ones.   Make sure to fill up baby photo albums, hang prints on your walls, or scrapbook.  This phase in life is short and you will feel so fulfilled knowing that you documented it appropriately!

Open Umbrellas and Puddle Jumping

Find some colorful umbrellas for the kids, stand somewhere dry like a doorway, under an awning or carport, and shoot them playing and dancing in the rain.    Or have them jump into puddles while you shoot with a fast shutter speed/sports mode.  These playful portraits will be so fun to obtain. But mostly for the kids to help create.  Just make sure you have some towels in the doorway, though.

Overcast Isn’t the End of the World

Actually, it’s probably going to make for some great shots.  The clouds will act as a natural diffuser and there won’t be any harsh sunlight to contend with.  Shoot as normal in overcast conditions.   Also, after-rain skies are very dramatic.  Shoot from an angle that will catch some of the sky thus creating a very interesting background.

Let the Melodrama Roll In With the Clouds

Have your child(ren) stand with their faces up to the window, looking out on the rainy day.  Make sure to let their faces fill the frame of the shot.  This type of portrait will evoke much emotion and is great for putting on photocards.

Stop Blaming and Start Shooting

It’s easy to blame it on the rain, but when it all boils down you shouldn’t let weather deter you from taking pictures of your surroundings and your children.   Neither the weather nor your children will be the compliant all the time, but getting out there and trying is all it takes.  You will be surprised with the results you get!

During these years it seems the hardest thing to do is capture [your toddler] in portraiture. There will be countless studio visits, tantrums during the process, failed shots due to stubborn attitudes and one track minds. However, it’s not completely impossible to capture your toddler and get that shot to hang on the wall or give to the grandparents.

Tips for Photographing Tricky Toddlers:

• Strive to take portraits when your little one is well rested and full bellied.

• Don’t place too much emphasis on getting the perfect expression. Sometimes the best expression is one that you would normally dismiss (i.e. a pout.)

• Get in their comfort zone and snap away, with your digital camera, at those playful times.

• Pay attention to the surroundings and the available lighting and nature; use it to your advantage.

• Set the scene. Pull out favorite toys and stuffed friends and get down to their level and shoot. Props can and will be very useful when trying to capture the attention of toddler kids.

• Try to stick with natural light as many toddlers have a big time aversion to flash.

• Follow their lead and just snap as they go. You’ll be surprised with the results.

The digital camera has many benefits. Not only can you shoot a picture and then delete it if you don’t like it, giving you more room to retake the picture, but you can upload the pictures from your camera onto your computer in order to crop them, edit out blemishes and red eyes, or just make a little tweak to the coloring or contrast in your picture. You can then upload your pictures to a site like Clark Photos, where you can order copies of the pictures you want, in the sizes you want them, or gifts for friends and family members. How do you go about taking the BEST pictures of your baby however?

Posing
Don’t always worry about posing your baby. Sometimes the best pictures are the accidental ones, taken on the fly or spur of the moment. Catching that sideways glance or the tummy time moment might prove to be magical. There are times when posing your baby may be called for. If you want to get a good shot for Christmas cards you can try sitting your baby up, or leaning him against a background or object, and hoping he will smile for you…just so you get that perfect shot. All pictures don’t always have to be posed and planned out.

Background
Think about your background. Take your baby to the woods or to a field of flowers to get some great shots of him. If staying at home consider what your baby is going to be wearing and use a sheet or blanket in a complimentary color. If your baby has bright blue eyes, taking pictures on a blue back ground might really help bring them out. If you have a bright outfit that you want to put your baby in for pictures, try using a black or white blanket as the background, so that your baby stands out more. Pick colors that will draw out your baby’s best features and highlight the mood of your baby.

Props
Props are nice to throw in with pictures done at home in order to change things around some. In the spring get some fresh flowers and let your baby play with them while you snap away. Or take your baby outside and put him in an old wagon taking pictures of the scenery. Pets can often bring out the best smiles and laughs in a baby, so using a pet as a prop during your baby’s photo shoot may get you some great shots. Pictures taken of your baby while he is playing with his favorite toys can be fun and more true to life, as they would rarely be posed and more than likely be “fun” pictures that you will look back on and laugh about. Keep changing your props around so that the pictures always look new, fresh and exciting.

Coloring
Not only can the coloring of your background change a picture and make it exciting, but the coloring of your picture itself can give it a completely different feel. With digital cameras and/or photo enhancing software you can buy for your computer you can easily change any color picture to a black and white or sepia theme. With many cameras you can actually take the picture in black and white. Since most pictures are done in color, these colorless pictures often add a different feeling to your picture, whether it is an old fashioned or vintage. Certain props may go better with different coloring as well, for instance picture of your baby girl wearing an oversized flower rimmed hat would look great as an old-fashioned picture in the sepia coloring.

Other Family Members
Adding other family members to pictures with your baby can make them not only unique, but sweet. Posing dad and your baby, or having dad take a picture of you and your baby will be cherished and loved for years to come. If you have more than one child, taking pictures of the siblings playing and laughing together will give you a lot of picture choices for albums, gifts and to hang on your wall.

Never be afraid to try something new with your baby when it comes to taking pictures. It may work, it may not work. In reality, 20 years from now you probably won’t remember why many of the pictures that didn’t work, turned out the way they did. They will still be pictures that captured a split second of your child’s “babyhood” that you will never get back. So take your camera and take lots of pictures! Have fun with it! Soon your baby won’t sit still long enough to allow you to get good pictures, or he will get to a point where he doesn’t want pictures taken of him and the easy days of picture taking will come to an end.

Taking pictures of your growing belly is a great way to keep track of your pregnancy. It will also be a great beginning to your baby’s scrapbook or photo album. Before you start however there are several things to think of.

1. Pick the perfect outfit.
If you want to showcase your growing belly and how it makes a certain shirt or skirt change shape on your body, wear that outfit for the first picture you take and for all the pictures following. Be sure to get an outfit that will still fit your belly when you are nine months along.

2. Bikini’s.
Some women will chose to wear their bikini or a bra and panties in order to take pictures of their belly. Side by side the naked belly pictures will show every inch, as well as every stretch mark you might get.

3. Decide how much you want to remember.
Because belly pics will show every aspect of your belly, decide how much you want to remember ahead of time. Do you want to see all the stretch marks in 10 years, or would you rather your belly be covered by clothes? Early on the blemishes won’t be there, but by the end the blemishes may be more than noticeable.

4. How much of your body do you want to show?
Remember that as your pregnancy progresses and you gain weight, most of the time you don’t only gain it in your belly. Many times you will gain it in your face, your behind, your legs and your thighs. Some people will want to see the full change, others will want to forget. Whatever you decide, go with it for your first picture and follow through with it for the rest.

5. Use props.
Maybe you go out immediately and buy the baby’s first stuffed animal or you want to detail your progress with a tape measure. Knowing that some of your baby’s first pictures will be with that stuffed animal, you can take pictures of yourself holding the animal, or as your belly gets bigger you can have the animal “holding” the belly. You can also get a picture of the tape measure around your belly so that you can record the inches you grow not only on paper but on film.

Use your imagination when it comes to photographing your pregnancy and your belly growth! The sky is the limit and nothing is out of line. After all, you will only be pregnant THIS time once, and all pregnancies are different so you will never be able to get these exact shots again. And with all the FREE print offers these days that include free shipping and free online storage, be sure to take as many shots as you can.

1. Prepare in advance.
Before you shoot, frame the background first through the viewfinder. Make the entire background, including corners and sides interesting. First frame the background and then place the subject.

2. Have patience.
Talk to your subjects and let them get comfortable with you. When they start to forget the camera is there, you can take more natural candid shots.

3. Avoid using the flash.
The light looks unnatural and washes out colors and facial features. If you’re using film, try 800-speed films, which are widely available and allow you to take sharp indoor photos without a flash.

4. Avoid the outdoors during the middle of the day.
Bright daylight is unflattering and washes out your subject. Instead try capturing your subject in the rich tones and long shadows at sunrise and sunset. If you must shoot during the day, move your subject into a shaded area out of direct sunlight.

5. Get closer.
Being too far away from your subject can take away from the uniqueness of your pictures. Often the key to giving a photo pizzazz is to move in and capture the details of your subject, leaving out extraneous things in the background.

6. Take night pictures.
Nighttime offers different lights and shadows that you can incorporate into your pictures to make them look unique. At night you can use flash, a street lamp or even holiday lights if they’re bright enough.

7. Ex-nay on the pose-ay.
Don’t have your subject pose. A picture caught in motion often makes a better and more memorable shot.

8. Have comfortable surroundings.
If your subjects have to pose, have them find a comfortable, natural position. Here’s when a little leaning or slouching is permitted. Standing straight can make unflattering lines and give boringness to your picture.

9. Use props.
If you’re taking a portrait, include a telling item in the picture. A favorite toy or rocking horse for a child’s picture, or a wedding picture in the background of a couple’s 50th Anniversary picture. The props will create conversation about your picture

10. Unfocus the background.
A background can tend to take away from your picture so try taking your picture with the background blurred and only your subject in focus.

How to “Set the Stage”
The first thing you want to keep in mind is that you want a stage upon which your baby can act not a setting for cameras and camera angles. You will want to include toys that are sure to delight your baby, make sure there is plenty of natural lighting (outdoor settings are great for a project such as this) and that your baby is well rested and in a good temper. If you choose a natural setting you should keep in mind that nature is its own stage to some degree. Capture your baby doing the things he or she loves to do and take plenty of photographs in the moments. Even if your baby is simply throwing sand in the air and running through it you will be amazed at how much his or her personality shines through those moments of glee when captured on film.

As a matter of fact, these moments are the stuff that baby photo contests are made of. When setting a stage upon which to take those perfect baby pictures you will want to make sure that the background doesn’t distract from the object of your affection. The less elaborate the background the better. You want your baby and her personality to shine in these photos. You should also make sure that she is interested in the process and having fun. Her personality will be the star if she is truly having fun.

Interaction and attention are great motivators when it comes to taking pictures of babies. If you want them to react to you and not the camera capture their interest and if at all possible keep the camera away from your face. This allows her to babble and play with you while doing it for the camera. Play with her toys in order to get her to begin playing with them. Once she’s engaged in the activity or the ‘play’ you can snap photos as fast as your fingers and your camera will allow in order to have plenty of selection while showing the most possible personality.

So instead of traipsing your baby off to the nearest department store or photographer’s studio, why not create some of your own home-grown, customized variety, baby photos that will not only save you extra time and money, but will also provide you with creatively styled pics as well? It’s not a difficult task – as a matter of fact, it’s very easy to do with just a few objects (props) that can be found right in your own home. We’ve gathered some cute and creative costume and prop ideas to give you tips on designing your very own custom-themed baby pictures and are happy to share them with you here.

Backdrop
Think about your backdrop before choosing the baby’s. No point in having them sitting around waiting for their picture to be taken in that fluffy bunny suit that will eventually make your baby fussy. A simple, solid-colored fabric sheet or blanket temporarily hung on the wall makes the perfect setting for your at-home photo shoot. If you’re going for a certain theme such as the beach, park or even a holiday scene, consider a subtle toned over-sized beach towel, illustrated blanket or seasonal tablecloth. Make sure the fabric is hung low enough that it drapes onto the floor providing a clean place for baby to ‘pose’.

Rocking chairs, rocking horses, over-stuffed loungers, and bean bag chairs also make creative backdrops if your baby is at an age where they can sit up by themselves for an extended period of time. Those items can also be draped with fabric to add a softened and cozy affect.

Costumes
Now first and foremost, you want your baby to be comfortable. A cranky baby doesn’t make for the best subject and will most likely stress mom out during the picture taking process as well. But a great idea for styling your own baby photos is to utilize a cute pajama, well-fitting costume, or outfit that is already hanging in your baby’s closet or folded away in his or her dresser drawers.

Props
Look around your house – not just in, but including – baby’s room. You’ve probably got more appropriate props to enhance your scene than you even realize. Beach themes can be adorned with inflated beach balls and water toys, a pail, shovel and shells. Park scenes can include a picnic basket, baby’s favorite ball or toy as well as a simple outdoor styled chair or bench you may have in your home or out on the patio. Seasonal scenes pretty much speak for themselves, but be sure not to over due it – you don’t want to take any attention away from your little star. A Valentine’s Day theme for example, can include any stuffed animals that incorporate red into their detailing and home-made wings on your baby to exemplify your very own cupid. A cowboy hat and neckerchief if your baby’s on a rocking horse or the real-life family dog next to your little ones if they’re dressed up in a puppy or kitten costume – how cute!

These are just a few creative ways you can design your very own, customized theme pictures that can turn out as good or better, than if you’d had them taken at a studio. So go ahead and let your resourcefulness shine as your imagination does most of the work for you!

There are a lot of different ways to achieve that perfect Valentine’s Day photo.  Props  are rather interesting to use in photography.  Perhaps a bunch of red, pink, and white balloons, or maybe you can get creative and cut out letters, that spell the word love, from red poster board.   Most party supply stores will have a vast array of decorations that can be used as props;  you can use anything ranging from red feather boas to heart shaped hats and beads.   If all else fails get a bunch of flowers to use in the picture.  They will make an appropriate prop for this type of love photo!

Once the picture is taken you can also use your computer’s photo editing software to soften up the image.  A softer appearance adds so much romance to a portrait.  Plus post processing is made very easy these days.   Once the image is opened you make a duplicate layer.  The using the Gaussian Blur effect you can put as much blur/softness on the picture, as you like, keeping it around 50% to not go overboard.  After that you can screen or multiply to your liking.

No matter if you put on some red shirts, use props like hats and flowers, make heart signs withe your fingers by touching your thumbs and index fingers, hold balloons, or just hold up a sign that reads “I Love You”… your Valentine portraits will be oh-so special.   The recipient of your printed and framed work of art or picture card will certainly be brimming with love.