Baby's First Portrait

Is there anything more precious than a beautiful newborn? Those tiny little fingers, that itsy bitsy nose- every parent wants to remember every wee detail. There's no better way than a portrait of your baby. We spoke with thirteen of the area's leading photographers to get their tips on that very first portrait.

When to Take the First Portrait

All of the photographers agree that it's better to have your child photographed sooner rather than later if a newborn portrait is what you're after. "Newborn portraits are best when taken in the first few weeks of life," says Season Moore. "In those first weeks they are more likely to sleep soundly and have that precious "curled up" look. Babies change so quickly and in a few shorts months they will have changed so much from birth." Cari Long agrees that before three weeks is a good time to schedule. "I recommend before three weeks of age if you would like newborn images that truly reflect this very fleeting time. Another reason to schedule them early is because baby acne crops up at about three weeks and lasts for a couple of weeks. I like to try and avoid that if I can!"

Schedule while you're pregnant, advises new dad and photographer, Scott Peters. "Scheduling a newborn portrait session about two to three weeks after your due date is a safe bet. Find out if your photographer can move your portrait date if your baby is more than a week early or a week late. Keep in mind how fast they grow and put on weight. My newborn has changed two diaper sizes in just five weeks!"

"Parents often say that they want to wait until the baby can make eye contact, or smile, or sit up," says Val Godwin. "But, if you wait, then you miss capturing something amazing in the meantime. Each age has its own special qualities you'll want to remember."

What Time of Day and Where

"The best time is after a nap and a feeding," says Elizabeth Galceke. "Newborns are so hard to predict. A lot of times they will fall asleep in the car on the way to the shoot. That is the perfect time for the photographer to capture a sweet sleeping photo. And if they wake up crying, that is also a great emotion to capture. Once they are settled down, maybe have another feeding if necessary, they will be ready to go for the rest of their shoot!" Tamara Lackey agrees. "The best time of day to schedule is the best time of day for your child's mood. If you want to shoot something outside, you need to go with the best lighting - early morning or late afternoon." If you're hesitant to take a baby so young out of the house, don't worry. "Many photographers will work on-location and come to your home for the newborn session," says Penny Noell.

How to Prepare

"The clothes do really influence the final image," says Dara Blakely. "Choose simple clothes that fade away and let your child stand out. Or, choose fun clothing that suits your child's personality. Don't be afraid of color or pattern, if you like that look. And for the under two set, their birthday suit is always an option." "Less is more," agrees Danielle Anthony. "There's nothing more adorable than a naked baby. Make sure to avoid clothing with elastic legs and socks before the session because they can leave red marks on baby's skin."

"Special toys or props can be wonderful memories in photographs with children who are a little older," says Elizabeth Galecke. "They can also be distracting- sometimes they don't want to let go of it and you end up with it in every photograph. I use props sparingly so that the focus is on the child. Another idea is bring the toy or prop out at the very end of the session."

"When the appointed day arrives, come right on time," advises James Walters. "We schedule sessions in one hour blocks knowing that baby's attention span is maybe fifteen minutes for this work. We also know that we will need warm up time and breaks in between shots for mommy time."

Once the session begins, it's important to follow the photographer's lead. "You hired your photographer for a reason," says Katie Hammister. "Photographers capture great photos of children because they know how to interact with them and to be playful. It's best to allow your photographer to play and communicate with your child. If we need help we will ask."

In Case of Bad Moods

If your child does cry or misbehave, don't worry about it said James Walters. "Most children do cry," says James. "We divert their attention to something else and keep shooting. They don't understand what to do, and most aren't keen to sit still very long. Photographing babies is about constantly diverting their attention. There are rarely cases where babies are inconsolable, but if that happens it may be best to have an in-home session."

"It happens," says Penny Noell. "If you child cries during the session feel free to pick him up and comfort him. The child may just need a break in the session."

"If you comfort baby and he cannot be consoled, it's best to reschedule your session," says Katie Hammister. "If your child wakes up from his nap before a session and is in a bad mood or sick, it's always better to reschedule. Treat your photo session the same as a play session. If your child is unhappy he is not going to enjoy the session, neither are you, and obviously your shots are not going to be as good."

"In the end, it's preparation and patience that will ensure that you get great images," says veteran photographer Zeb Starnes. "Advance planning, scheduling the session at a time that works for your baby, bringing extra clothing and most of all - patience, patience, patience - are the things that you can do to create beautiful images of your baby. The rest if up to your photographer."

Marie Cox of Pfreckles Photography agrees that the photographer you select largely determines the final images that you receive. "The key is finding a photographer whose portraits you really love and enjoy. Make sure you want to see similar portraits on your walls or in your albums. Find someone who has a style you admire and tell him what you are looking for. You'll likely be very happy with the end result."