You have to take pictures of your children. They don't have to be amazing or taken by a professional. Just take some. Your memory is not as long as you might think and these moments are flying by. I had a session recently that drove that point home to me again. Meet Ellen and Charlie...November 2006.

and now, here they are in 2009. Can you believe it?

Ellen is the one who really took my breath away this time in terms of how much she's changed. She was a little girl when I first photographed her and now I guess you'd say she is a tween.

Finally, after a great shoot, it was time for the reward (or bribe? hey, whatever works right!)

Today I thought I would talk a little about some of the techniques that use when I photograph newborn babies. The images in this post were all shot in my studio. You may not be able to replicate studio lighting at home but, if you have a nice window with good light, you can get some great shots using a few simple techniques.

If you have a bright window, you can set up a little mini studio in front of it. Find a bassinet, boppy pillow or chair and place it right next to the window. You can cover the pillow with some simple fabric if you like. Move your pillow around until the light looks pretty. Shadows are good and can help define shape and give an image more interest. However, if your light is too strong or too much to the side it can be too dramatic and look harsh. You'll have to play around a little to get the right placement.

Tip #1- Get close. It helps to have a macro lens when you are getting close ups of fingers and toes. Play around with your camera and see how close you can get without it becoming blurry.


Tip #2- Use shallow depth of field to create a soft look and emphasize the subject.

Tip #3- Newborns make a lot of crazy contorted faces. Shoot a LOT! The more images that you shoot the more likely you are to get the perfect expression.

Tip #4- If you are trying to photograph little kicking feet, swaddle the legs up in a simple blanket to keep the feet together and still.

Tip #5- Take a moment to clean up the baby's nose, eyes and mouth. You may also want to use some lotion or baby oil on peeling skin. That simple step can save you lots of time afterwards in photoshop trying to get rid of distracting little flakes and crusties.

Tip#6- Less is more. If you want a clean and simple look, minimize distractors like clothing logos, bold patterns and colors. A simple, solid cloth background can be all that you need. Knitted or crocheted blankets work well too and the texture can be really nice.

Tip#7- When your baby falls into a deep sleep you can, if you're slow and careful, move them around a little to get them right where you want them. Be patient and go slow.

Tip #8- If you want the sleepy newborn look, you have to do it early. Our clients bring their babies in between 10-14 days. Once they start waking up (after about 2-3 weeks), it gets harder and harder to get that look.

Tip #9- Use Dad as a backdrop. Have him wear a simple shirt if you can.

Tip #10- Shoot from all different angles. To get up high use a step ladder or a chair.

Okay, now it's your turn! Off you go, it's practice time. I'd love to see what you come up with! Post links to your images in the comments section below. Happy Monday!

One of the most common questions that people ask me is what lens I use when I photograph my kids. The lens that I use to chase my kids around is not the same lens that I use at the studio. When I am photographing my kids out in the world, my lens needs to be multi-purpose (a zoom) and have a fast f-stop (F2.8) so that I can get great depth of field. The reason to have a different lens than what ships with most DSLR camera kits is that you can get better depth of field.  This allows you to make your backgrounds soft and out of focus and shoot in lower light conditions. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take a moment and read over the Monday Lesson on depth of field.

My favorite lens is the Canon 24-70 F2.8.  It's expensive lens and it is heavy but it is an awesome lens!  If you want to try this type of lens out without the $1500 price tag, try Tamron's version or Sigma's version.  Tamron and Sigma make lenses for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and others.  When you shop for a Tamron or Sigma lens, make sure it is compatible with your camera! The folks over at B&H Photo Video are really helpful, just call them and let them know what you are looking for.

From my BFF Danny Clark...he likes Tamron because they are fast-focusing and he thinks they do a good job of gathering light. He also told me that the F2.8 Tamrons are a little lighter as well, which makes a big difference. He does admit that Nikon will be superior to Tamron is some ways and uses his Nikon lenses in the studio but, like me, uses different lenses for chasing his kids around or working on location.  He is a Nikon shooter and likes this one and this one.

Would you like to know more about lenses, your camera and taking better photographs of your children, friends and family? We have just announced a new class at the studio!

What: Going Beyond P, how to take better photographs with your digital SLR camera

When: January 30, 2010, 10 am to 4 pm with an hour and a half break for lunch

Where: My studio in the Montrose / River Oaks area, 1210 W. Clay, Loft 18, Houston, 77019

How much: $95 per person

The class fills up really fast so please call and reserve your spot today!

I know, I know...it's not Monday. Let's just call this a wednesday lesson then.  The holiday season is in full swing here at the studio and it's getting busy here!

On monday I had a basic photography class at my studio for the members of the Bellaire Young Mothers organization. One of the things that I talked about was how, when we grab our cameras and go to take some pictures of our kids, we often meddle with and stop the very activity that they are doing that inspired us to photograph them. We start directing them and asking them to do this and move over here and look up. They get annoyed, give us that cheesy grin to make us go away and we end up frustrated. Ever been there?

I would like to challenge you to try something different. The next time you look over and see the kids playing or doing something cute, go secret agent style with your camera. Grab the camera and use your zoom lens to get close to them (but stay back) and photograph them as they are without direction. If you can be really sneaky, grab the camera and sit down with them and play a little while you shoot them doing whatever they are doing. The big key here is minimal direction and interference!

When we were on vacation this past summer, the house that we rented has a little garden in the front and it was full of snails. One of the kid's favorite activities was collecting the snails and making a "snail home" as they called it. One afternoon I heard them chit chatting away out there and peeked out. The sky was overcast (a great time to shoot by the way) and they were playing happily together (not always the case). So, I grabbed my camera and went outside and just watched them and photographed them playing. The only direction that I gave them was, at one point, I said "Cool! Show me your snail, hold it up so I can see!". I didn't move them or ask them get closer or "look up and smile!" or anything like that.

We all want the image of our kids looking straight at the camera and smiling. We want the picture of all 3 or both of them (or however many you have) together and looking up and smiling. Keep chasing that shot but, while you're at it, try this too. Your kids will appreciate less meddling and you will get some nice candid shots. I would love to hear how you do with it.

And this is the snail home that they made...

Now it's your turn...think stealth, spy-like, unobtrusive, a journalist! Have fun and I'd love to hear how it goes.