photographing my 6 month old

[Jaymers]

Hi Everyone-
I am stuck in a rut! I need some advice on how to photography my 6 month old, Nicole. When I search the web I see lots of advice on how to photograph a newborn in all of those really cute poses, but I haven't seen very many inpiring photographs of infants (especially those wiggly sorts). I prefer natural light (mainly because I don't have any studio lighting rigs...amateur and all) and she is almost sitting up. What are your ideas...how would you photograph and adorable 6 month little girl Points for creativity!!

[katrinak]

I love tummy shots! Get on eye level with her and shoot with natural light from a window to the back side (ish) of you.

I also have shot a 6 month old on my bed so I could more easily get at eye level. Light to the right backside of me.

You can also lay her on the floor and stand directly above her and take shots looking down. Just work fast

[dstnd2be]

Since she isn't sitting up on her own what about laying a blanket over a bumbo (if you have one) and have her sit in that. I did that with my little girl and it turned out great. If you put a dress on her the dress will hang over the bumbo and give the illusion like she is sitting in a chair by herself.

[audrey77]

I have put the boppy in behind him... and a blanket in front- as a crash pad! But yes, laying down shots with a large aperture works great.

[HeidiKnight]

My favorite photos of Avery were taken at 5.5 months. I used a mirrored plexiglass and a black vellux blanket from JC Penneys. I had my parents hold up the blanket and put the plexi on the floor, overlapping the blanket a bit. If you don't have anyone to hold it and you don't have a backdrop stand, you could clamp the blanket to a door, table, etc. Then I put Avery on her tummy on the plexiglass, facing me, and I laid down on the floor too to get at her level. She loved looking at herself and I got some great shots of her. The mirror acts as its own reflector, so the lighting on those shots is always amazing. I used natural window light (window was behind me) and that was it. Oh, you need to get really low in these shots, not just for the best angle of the baby but also so that the blanket is reflected in the mirror and you don't get ceiling reflected in it. When babies are sitting up, they look adorable on the mirror, facing away from the camera - especially if they will look over their shoulder at the camera. Here's a sample image of Avery on her tummy. I turned this plus two others merged together into a gallery wrap that I love - it looks like triplets.

[HeidiKnight]

Since mirrored plexiglass isn't something you can just run out and buy (I ordered mine), here is a shot of Avery at about 7 months using my older daughter's coverlet (also from JC Penneys - gotta love a white sale). This was using natural window light also.


And a layout with a couple more photos from this day: http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...566&ppuser=969

[HeidiKnight]

Last one: I used a pink Bumbo seat for these pictures because she wasn't sitting up yet. The flowers hide it - you could do the same with tall grass if you don't have flowers at this time of year (goodness knows our flower season is long past and now we're having consecutive 104 degree days). Post your photos after you take them!
http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...043&ppuser=969

[bluelemur01]

Heidi, those pics are AMAZING! Geez...I love them. Thanks for sharing.

[HeidiKnight]

Thanks, Jennifer! I have a new monitor so now I know my first photo needs some work on the black backdrop - but pretend I burned that to be totally black.

[echogirl]

OOh Heidi, those are amazing photos! The black background one looks stunning on my computer! Would you come to Vancouver to do some shots for me?

[bluelemur01]

Heidi, it looks amazing, burned 100% or not. I actually like it as is with the slight texture to the b/g. Now I totally NEED to get that mirror plexi and take some similar shots! I think I've seen these shots from you before (or similar ones) and knew that I wanted to get a setup like that, but I never got around to it. Your clients must be so happy if/when you do pics like these for them!

[Debbyo]

Heidi -I loved your tips...we are expecting another grand-baby-girl in Oct so I'm trying to come up with some pro-type amateur shots of her. Your photos are amazing! Thanks so much!

[Jaymers]

I love everyone suggestions. Thank you, thank you! I tried taking my little girl outside to get some tummy shots, but must have picked the wrong time of day...all I got were lots of tears . Will try again this week. Heidi... I love your shot with the plexiglass, I wonder if it would work with a mirror as well?

[HeidiKnight]

It would work fine, just be careful!

[Angel_Baby]

I know someone already suggested the bumbo seat with a skirt. I love the look of the pettiskirts or tutus which you can buy online at esty.com in any size. Good luck.

And Heidi, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those pics!