Specializing in newborn photography as we do, we have no doubts about saying this: There is no more famous child photographer than Anne Geddes – whether it’s here in little, ol’ Dulles, VA or anywhere in the world. Ms. Geddes is world famous for her iconic and whimsical children’s portraits often featuring twins. Last year in an article on babycenter.com she offered tips to parents on how to take great baby photos. It’s a great opportunity to learn from the best in the busines, thanks to babycenter.com and Ms. Geddes.

If you want a truly special and unique newborn portrait, you should always have a professional photographer; however, you’ll most like want to snap some photos (probably many photos!) of your baby yourself. Below are excerpts from Ms. Geddes’ sage advice for baby photography. After all, you can’t have a professional photographer with you every moment!

Be prepared
Keep a camera handy at all times – even your camera phone. The more accustomed your baby is to being photographed, the more natural your pictures will be. Having a camera handy at all times makes it far easier to take those fabulous candid shots.

Background
Keep your background simple to let your baby take “center stage” in the image. We’d add to make sure your background doesn’t somehow “clash” with your baby.

Perspective
Always get down to eye level with your baby or child!

Be ready
Safety first when taking a child’s picture! Second, making certain that you take photos when they are fed, happy and comfortable and at their happiest will make for better pictures.

Let there be light
For snapshots, it is always more flattering to use the soft directional light from a window than the harsh light of a flash.

Time of Day
If you’re taking pictures outside, try to take advantage of the early morning or late afternoon light. The midday sun can be especially harsh on your baby’s perfect skin!

Camera
You don’t need an expensive camera to take a great photograph, because the best image begins in your heart, inspired by your baby. So even if you don’t have the latest phone with the best camera, go for it.

Candids
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. Making your images personal gives 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’ll 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. A background that “sets” the image for you helps bring the story 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 babies and as they grew up.

Save, save, save
Download your images regularly and keep them organized. When saving your images, try to add a keyword that will help you find the image later for a greeting card or scrapbook. Instead of “Amy, Summer,” try “Amy 6mo in hat” – something memorable, so you can locate it more easily months or years later. We would add this: Always, always PRINT your images. They are valuable and irreplaceable. Files can be corrupted; prints last much, much longer.

Shoot some video
Moving pictures of those small spontaneous moments will be precious additions to your keepsakes.

We have a confession: We aren’t Anne Geddes. But we think you knew that already! We are, however, a top family and child photographer in the Northern Virginia area, including Dulles, VA. We work with families across the Metropolitan area, and it would be our privilege to work with you and your child.

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Child Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located in Dulles, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits

Hiring an experienced child photographer can make all the difference in the success of a portrait session. As long-time Dulles, VA area photographer, we know how to keep children and families happy during a photo shoot. A happy child is the star of a happy picture!

Here are some things to bear in mind when it comes to children or family sessions:

Kids are kids!

When we are photographing children or families with children, we love to take it outside. We let kids run around just enough to let them be kids. They will have the fun they want and deserve to have! All children need to get their energy out. They don’t need to feel constrained or forced to pose in any way. Sometimes, by letting kids just be themselves during a portrait session, we can get the best pictures of them – genuine representations of them as they are away from the camera!

If there are teens, go ahead and let them hold that phone and stare into its abyss. We can promise we’ll bring them back from that edge just in time to snap a great shot.

Laugh it up!

We try to be funny! We even think we are funny (not sure if our family would agree), but if you’re funny then let your humor shine! Humor and being silly can bring out the best in all of us. Great candid photography is about catching those unexpected moments, those laughs, smiles, and sometimes those silly looks.

Can we talk?

Our portrait sessions aren’t a catwalk where silence reigns supreme and the photographer barks out orders. When we’re doing a children or family session, let’s talk! We love chit-chat especially with those teens looking a bit uncomfortable about being dragged in front of our camera. We’ll ask questions, and we’ll get things more relaxed. You can help us out by chatting back with us and asking us questions. However, if you’re an experienced parent, then you’ll know that kids often respond better to everyone but their parents! Let us handle the kids! We got this!

Consulting the kids!

Yes, we consult with them – it’s not newborn photography, after all! These kids can talk back and engage with us. We aren’t just going to bark orders about poses. We’re going to ask what they think. We’ll show them a few of the shots after we’ve taken the pictures – young ones, especially, love to see themselves! Occasionally, you might hear us ask what they think, or if there’s a pose or spot, they think we should try.

If a funny, engaging, patient, and flexible child photographer near Dulles, VA is what you want in your next photographer, then you’ve found the right one in us. Contact us to discuss your family’s next portrait session.
 

Baby Photography, Baby Photographer, Child Photographer

Ever After Baby Portraits is comprised of Mindy Belcher and Joriana Belcher Anderson, a mother-daughter baby photography team located in Dulles, VA in Northern Virginia. We specialize in timeless and emotive fine art family portraits, including newborn and baby portraits. Family means everything and capturing those precious moments to preserve forever will mean family heirlooms for you to share for years to come.

Best,
Mindy & Joriana – Contact Us!

View Our Portfolio | Ever After Baby Portraits