20 tips from Anne Geddes for taking great photos..

As a new momma I keep up with Babycenter.com on a regular basis.. This site helped me out soo much during my pregnancy and even now as Kellen grows each month I stay up to date with his age development. During pregnancy, it was a place for me to go and read that millions of other women were experiencing what I was going through...An outlet to help keep us paranoid occassionally over dramatic self, SANE!  I ran across this article and wanted to pass the great info along.. Our daily reality has evolved into a Facebook crazed world and everyone and their dog are snap happy and busy documenting their every breath.. and thats ok! I read several comments weekly of how 'annoyed' everyone is with each other for their daily posts of life and pictures.. I find myself thinking there is a line of sharing and just taking it to the extremes.. well, here's the deal,  if you dont want to look at it don't, if you dont want to read it, dont.. its that simple.. ya heard! Read what you want, take in what you want and ignore the rest..
and if you are someone that has joined the ranks of posting and sharing, let me stress to you how important it is to make sure you have your images saved and keep printing them..don't rely on the internet, blogging, fb, shutterfly, etc. to do the saving for you, keep your pictures saved on file elsewhere.. Otherwise you chance losing all these valuable and meaningful copies of your cherished moments.. The ol memory bank is great, but its not fool proof. save save save your pictures on a back-up.. This article mentions this as well, along with other great tips on how to get great pictures of your little ones.. My opinion is to let the professionals or the person you believe captures great images of your family continue taking your family portraits each year, but take plenty of snapshots of your own along the way. ok I think im off my soapbox..  These are helpful tips for anyone, even for every day snapshots. thought I would share :

(http://www.babycenter.com/0_20-tips-from-anne-geddes-for-taking-great-photos_10338944.bc?page=2)
We asked world-renowned photographer Anne Geddes for advice on taking great baby photos. Her tips and tricks can help you capture memories that’ll last a lifetime.


Do your own thing
Please don't try to replicate any of my images. They are created after hours of preparation and under careful controls in my studio, where I am supported by a team of talented professionals.

Be prepared
Keep your camera at the ready at all times. The more familiar your baby is with a camera, the more natural your photographs will be because your baby's curiosity won't be aroused by the camera. And with a camera at hand, you'll always be ready for those special spontaneous moments.

Consider the background
Keep your background simple to let your baby take "center stage" in the image.

Change your perspective
For a more personal point of view, get down to your baby's eye level.

Get ready
Ensure that your baby is safe, well fed, happy, and comfortable and you can be guaranteed some lovely images.


Time it well
Choose the time of day when your baby is happiest. Every baby is different.

Let there be light
I love using natural light. It is always more flattering to use the soft directional light coming in a window than the flash on a camera.

Go early or late
If you are photographing outside, try to take advantage of the early morning or late afternoon light. The mid-day sun doesn't bring out the best in anyone, and it can be especially harsh on your baby's perfect skin!
Don't splurge


You don't need an expensive camera to take a great photograph, because the best image begins in your heart, inspired by the baby.

Candid camera
The loveliest shots of your baby will most likely be candid ones.

Forget the props
The photograph is not about the props (no flowerpots please!). It's just about your beautiful baby.

Make it personal
Take pictures in settings that have meaning for you. Make your images personal; this will give them an even deeper resonance.

They grow so fast
Remember, babies are only this tiny for such a short time. You might not believe it now, but you will forget how small your baby was in the beginning, so try to show your baby's size in relation to the surroundings. For example, images of a baby's hand in a family member's hand are so poignant because they capture that sense of scale.

Put it in context
Try for a sense of place, as well. You might think that you'll always remember that day or the story behind the image, but it's not always the case, especially as more wonderful events occur as your baby grows. If you can use a background that "sets" the image for you, it helps bring the story back to mind when viewed years later.


Put yourself in the picture
Do try to include yourself in as many photographs with your family as possible. Your children will want to know what you looked like "way back then" when they were newborns and as they grew up. They'll thank you for it later!

Save, save, save
I enjoy working digitally and with film. With your digital images, do try to download them from your camera on a regular basis, saving them to files grouped by months when your baby is young (so many changes occur so quickly in the early years).

Get organized
When saving your images, try to add a key word that will help you find the image when you're seeking it later for a holiday card or scrapbook. Instead of "Amy Summer," try "Amy 6mos in hat" – something memorable, so you can locate it more easily months or years later.

Back it up
Always, always back up your digital images. They are as valuable and irreplaceable as film negatives.

Try a video
Try out the short video feature on your digital camera. Those "small" spontaneous moments will be precious additions to your keepsakes.

Use technology
Have you sampled any of the new digital photo frames, apps like those available for the iPad's multi-touch screen, or features on Flickr? They are a lovely way to share treasured images with family, open albums with a tap, scroll through smaller "thumbnail" images to find favorites, play and share slide shows, manage photo sets, geo-tag photos, favor photos, comment on them, and much more.