Tips for Baby Announcement Photos

I'm working on a couple baby announcements right now and thought I'd talk about some ideas I've had on taking great photos of your baby for announcements.

1. You don't need a professional photographer. You do need great natural lighting and a decent resolution on your camera. Find a window mid-day without sunlight streaming right in (you don't want to blind your bambino). A slider door is best so your baby can be right next to the best natural lighting.


2. Get close and get at the same level. If you're on the same level as your baby, you will get a more realistic angle for the audience. Getting close helps eliminate outside clutter, like the chair your baby is propped up on or part of a bookshelf in the background. Lay down if you need to get that right angle. You don't want enlarged nostrils.


3. You have a digital camera, right? Take a bunch. Don't delete until you've looked at all of them on your computer. That tiny screen on your camera won't show you the full effect of a picture.


4. Keep in mind when you're getting really close that you don't want to chop off part of baby's head or chin. Your announcement designer (I really think you should go with BuddyBoo Stationery) will be able to make those adjustments to make the whole look perfect.


5. You know that newborns have their eyes open for 3 minutes a day. Have the camera ready. So cute with eyes open, but if you really like a peaceful image of your baby sleeping, that's a decision of yours, too.


6. Pay attention to your background. With my kids I frequently used a plain-patterned blanket as a background. It helps draw the audience's eye to your baby's face, not the animal on the blanket behind baby's head.

Check out this photo below. This was taken by mom Jodie Schoenwetter from
Spring, Texas, and is absolutely beautiful. The lighting is incredible (no bad shadows), it shows the baby's personality very well, and the angle makes it very powerful.

BuddyBoo Stationery is an excellent resource for your baby announcement needs, wedding invitation needs, graduation announcements and part invitation design. Visit www.buddyboostationery.com.