Five Baby Photography Tips to Give Your Shots a Professional Edge

There's nothing quite like baby photography tips straight from the pros. On the surface of it, baby photography sounds simple: you get a baby, you get a camera, and a memory is made. But if you're serious about your photography and want that professional edge, these tips from professional baby photographer Carrie Sandoval will set you on the path to success.

Tip #1: When you're starting out, let your camera help you.

If you're fairly new to baby photography, or you're not used to working with manual settings, it can be extremely useful to let your camera help you along. The best way to do that while still maintaining creative control is to shoot in aperture priority. That means you get to choose your aperture (ie, the size of the hole your camera shoots through) and your camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. That way, you have less to worry about.

Tip #2: Use the right lens.

Depending on what you want to do, the right lens varies from person to person. One of the very best for baby photography, though, has to be a 50 mm 1.4. The speed and sharpness of this lens make it perfect for capturing crystal-clear moments before baby has a chance to roll over and spoil the perfect shot.

Besides being fast and clear, this is also a very versatile lens. You can use it for anything from close ups to full body shots. But of course, like all baby photography tips this one comes with a caution: do your experimenting with the lens before you're actually taking the picture.

Tip #3: Pay attention to shutter speeds.

If you've reached the point where you don't need to work in aperture priority, pay careful attention to your shutter speeds. If your camera has a larger sensor, then it's best to keep your shutter speed over 1/250 or you might start getting shutter shake, which leads to blurry pictures.

Tip #4: Err on the side of clarity.

This is one of the most important baby photography tips you'll ever hear. If you have a choice between a blurred photo and one that's a bit grainy or noisy, always go with the latter. After all, what matters is that you can see the baby! And the best way to keep your picture sharp? A high shutter speed, of course!

Tip #5: Don't be afraid to go macro.

There's nothing quite so adorable as a perfectly formed baby's foot, ear, or any other part in extreme close-up. Don't be afraid to switch to a macro lens and get creative.

Baby photography is fun and rewarding, but it can be a challenge, too. For more baby photography tips to give your photographs that professional edge, check out Carrie Sandoval's other advice at www.7PhotographyQuestions.com.