Baby Portraits - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

05/03/2007 12:15:03 PM · #1

How do you get really good baby portraits when the baby won't hold still? I was TRYING to take pictures of my niece yesterday, and she kept crawling off. She's entirely too interested in my camera... as in she's sure she knows how it works, and she could take some very good pictures with it herself.

I got some really cute candids, but as for something more posed and fomal. Ha! I got ONE where she's sitting still and smiling, but accidently cut off one of her hands.

WickedB

Nikon D200

05/03/2007 12:17:51 PM · #2

HAhaha. Good luck :)
I have been trying for awhile to get decent baby shots (there's some in my portfolio). During one session I ended up down on my knees and elbows holding my camera to my eye, wiggling my butt and barking like a dog- it was ALL i could do to get that kid to look at me and smile.

kashi

Nikon D60

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

05/03/2007 12:19:14 PM · #3

Put her IN something.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/03/2007 12:28:15 PM · #4

Strangely enough, you shoot small children the same way you would shoot dogs. They want to move and have no idea that you want them to be still so its up to you to find something that gets their attention and stops them dead in their tracks. A loud, high-pitched noise like "weee weee weee weee" followed by a giggle will confound babies and dogs. While they try to figure it out, they will look straight at you and not move.... shoot like mad. A toy that makes noise works great too. Rinse, repeat. :)

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II

05/03/2007 12:32:38 PM · #5

Here's two of the candids I got of her (I'm working on the more formal one):

Buttercup 1 Buttercup 2

I think if I put her in something, she'd throw the most unholy fit imaginable. You should see her if someont puts her in a playpen.

Message edited by author 2007-05-03 12:39:40.

surfdabbler

Canon EOS-5D

05/04/2007 07:08:06 AM · #6

Looks like there's too many interesting things in the background. Put her in a corner with nothing interesting behind her, and put some toys at your feet. Then she's gonna come your way. Don't follow her - make her follow you! :)

We got some kid portraits done a few weeks ago, and the kids were on a blank studio floor, and all the toys were up on shelves behind the photographer. The photographer went "Brrrrrrrrrrrr" in a high squeaky voice intermittently for 15 minutes to keep the kids attention during the shoot.

Oh, and getting down on your elbows is not a bad thing. I far prefer the perspective of being down at the kids level. Our kids portraits really weren't that great. The Hasselblad was up on a Manfrotto tripod on wheels, looking down at the kids. The studio lighting was all up on the ceiling, and with the high contrast film, we now have lots of expensive photos of dark eye socketed children craning their necks to the camera. For all the studio setup they had, I think we have many snapshots that are photographically better. But my wife like the photos because they're of our kids, so we paid hundreds of dollars for them all. I think I'm getting off the track here. :) I'm just grumpy, because I could have spent the money on gear.

Monique64

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

05/04/2007 07:38:55 AM · #7

One word: "patience".

Edit: Oh and a bucket full of chuppa-chups(lollipops) helps (only with certain ages). I hand them out when kids have been good and wave them as a bribe. You would be surprised how well kids behave when there is a reward in sight. That includes any kids around that weren't having photos taken.

Message edited by author 2007-05-04 07:42:17.

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/04/2007 07:51:06 AM · #8

The best baby pictures have great expressions.

Instead of shooting a million shots, wait for the moment. I've noticed that my kids had the greatest "smiles / grins" just when they were getting ready cry (seriously). Shoot when they inhale to scream out - do it yourself and see what your facial expression does ... eybrows go up, eyes get bigger, etc.

Prof_Fate

05/04/2007 08:51:46 AM · #9

Rules for Photography:
1. Be smarter than the subject. This is why so many photographers only shoot flowers and landscapes. LOL

How old a baby?
I've shot one - a 6 month old in my studio, some with strobes and some without (just the modeling lights)

I set up the area with NOTHING in it but the baby and a prop or two - something the baby would play with, and he did.

I got some of the best images I've ever taken.
Strobe shot here

These were with the modeling lights, so shallow DOF, higher ISO and a moving baby

Jacko

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

05/04/2007 10:56:51 AM · #10

Now those are great expressions (2 and 3)

05/04/2007 02:08:13 PM · #11

Oh well, we weren't in a studio or anything since I don't have one (yet). We were in her room, and she's a very busy little person. I was yelling, "Peekies!" in a high squeeky voice to even get her to look at me.