I am currently taking another photography workshop this month. I’ve been using Juliet as my subject for my daily shooting and homework assignments, as she is easier to photograph these days than Drake the whirling dervish. Juliet is just starting to be able to sit up and can only do it for short periods of time if she is supported with something, which has made photographing a little harder than I expected. Normally I always photograph her in her bouncer, but for this class I needed to shoot certain things and I had to start getting more creative with shooting a baby who couldn’t sit up unsupported. I thought some of you might be interested in these methods, so I thought I would share!

D E T A I L S

Detail shots are some of my favorites to be honest.  I am starting to get interested in macro photography and am saving up for a new lens to delve into it more. Because of that I have been obsessed with capturing little details, and who has better little details than a tiny baby with their small fingers and toes and everything in between.  Also since details focus in on such a small part of the body, it doesnt matter what position Juliet is in when I photograph her.

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S H O O T I N G  F R O M  A B O V E

Shooting down at your subject is a way to change perspectives and add interest to your photo vs always shooting straight on.  It’s always a way to add light to your subject’s face and eyes if you are in a darker setting.  You can place baby in something that can support them and shoot down, or have them laying down and still get a different look to your images.

L A Y I N G  D O W N

Once babies can sit up, they usually don’t want to lay around as much since they can see more sitting up. So if your little one is still spending most of their time on their back or belly, capture some moments with them grabbing their feet or playing under their play gyms since once they sit up, they might not do those things as much anymore.

L E A D I N G  L I N E S

Leading lines is a composition technique that draws the viewer into the scene using a line to help direct where their eye goes. It’s helpful with babies who can’t sit because you can place them against something to lean on, so you can still get a somewhat upright photo without them hurting themselves from falling over.

P O R T R A I T S

Nothing beats a beautiful portrait and since the focus is on the face, you can often shoot with the baby propped up or even laying down, and get some lovely close up shots of their beautiful face.

Do you have a favorite way for photographing your little one?