Jump to content United States-English
HP.com Home Products and Services Support and Drivers Solutions How to Buy
» Contact HP Phone orders 1-877-801-7183
HP.com home
HP Digital Photography

HP Digital Photography videos

Turn Baby Photos Into Keepsakes and Gifts
» 

Home & Home Office

» Digital Photography
» Buying guides
» See this month's focus
» Take better photos
» Print better photos
» Edit & restore photos
» Organize & archive photos
» Share photos & get creative
» Photo scanning tips
» Printing Software

Explore

» Everyday Printing
» PC Learning Center
» Digital Entertainment
» Free Online Classes
» HP Newsgram Sign-up

Create

» HP Creative Studio
» Snapfish

Shop

» Buy from HP
» Find a Retailer
» Rebate Center

Support & Drivers

» Support & Troubleshooting
» Support Forums
» Software & Drivers
» HP Total Care
» Product Registration
Content starts here

Turning baby photos into keepsakes and gifts


Hi! I'm Tracey Clark. Babies are naturals in front of the camera.

They're so much fun to interact with. Their facial expressions and exaggerated gestures can really show off their sweet personalities.

And that's exactly what you want to see when you look back at your photos of them.

I'm going to show you some simple ways to create treasured baby pictures you'll want to pull out and show off every chance you get.

You're going to want to shoot way more pictures then you think you need.

Somewhere in there will be that perfect shot.

I know, you can do it all, but having a partner just makes it easier.

That way, you can be handling the camera while they play peek-a-boo and make silly noises, or do whatever it takes to make your little one smile.

If mom is taking the photos, put dad on giggle duty, or vice versa.

Another helper in this situation can be your camera's Burst mode, which lets you fire off a few photos in quick succession. This is a great thing to have when your little one is wriggling around or going through a dozen facial expressions a second.

If you're taking photos outside, try taking them early in the morning, in partial shade, or during the early evening. These times provide a much softer light and will capture warmer tones and more details. Plus, you won't have a bunch of shots with your baby squinting.

When inside, use natural lighting whenever possible. Babies are especially sensitive to bright light, so turn off the flash! Bright light can also wash out colors and those adorable facial features. So try working near a window, or turn on all your indoor lights for a softer all round tone on your baby's skin. Diffused lighting conditions give off a much warmer, more intimate feel...perfect for baby!

This is a good tip for portraits in general, but it works really nicely with shots of babies and toddlers. Choose a spot, like a rug or wall where you have a nice even background. Or create a neutral background using pillows or blankets like these. As you know, when you have kids, it's easy to collect a lot of brightly colored toys and other items that will pull attention away from the star of the show. Avoid getting those items in your shot.

The same goes for clothing. Keep baby in simple clothing to be sure that the baby is the focus, not distracting fabrics. You can use simple toys, like one small stuffed animal or even a handful of Cheerios to keep baby busy and in one place while you shoot.

And, although your subject is adorable, it can be a challenge to create the perfect condition for a cute baby photo! Be sure that baby is rested and fed to ensure smiles for the camera. And don't set yourself up for failure by expecting too much from your little one. Make taking pictures fun for her and for you by not overdoing it and know when it's time to put the camera away.

Once you've worn baby out and it's naptime, turn the camera on again and use that time to capture the child,well...sleeping like a baby! No one can resist shots like this!

This tip will be really easy to get help on. Seems like everyone is always dying to get in a photo with the newest member of the family.

Nothing is more endearing than a portrait of a baby with a trace of someone special in the photo with them. And anytime there's a baby in the mix, you're sure to get heartwarming portraits all around. And don't be afraid to get creative: maybe a shot of tiny baby toes against those of an adult, or a picture of a family welcoming their latest addition.

Photos of your little guy or gal in black and white have a special poignancy to them. They add a fine-art quality to your portraits, and capture subtle details you missed in color. Tell a story with a handful of black and whites. A close-up of a baby's smile, a profile shot, and baby's feet or hands, then frame them all together for a beautiful display or a special gift.

I use my compact HP Photosmart printer, which has a lot of fun creative borders and effects built right in.

You would be amazed at some of the things you can do with it. Right on the fly.

I love it for family get togethers or even for printing a couple of photos while I'm on my way out the door.

I hope these tips will lead to many fun-filled photo sessions with your baby. They always did with mine.

I'm Tracey Clark and I'll see you next time!


Printable version
Privacy statement Using this site means you accept its terms Feedback to Home & Home Office
© 2009 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.