Our baby Charlotte is 6 months old!

Here are my top 6 tips for a portrait session with baby.

1. Happy baby = images you’ll love. Plan for a time when baby is happiest (at the very least, well rested and recently fed)! For a full 90 minute portrait session it isn’t uncommon for baby to need a break and feeding, that is normal and perfectly fine!

2. Look for soft light. No matter what you are photographing light is IMPORTANT. I love shooting these little cuties in soft light. Soft light is more comfortable for them, keeping them happy (see rule no. 1) and is fitting for a little rolly polly baby.  If you’re hiring a professional photographer he or she will direct you!

3. Include toys in the shoot! This is usually what baby is doing in everyday life and isn’t that the point? To remember these days? Well the good parts anyway? #justbeingreal Of course, this also helps with rule no. 1!

4. Use clothes and toys that are meaningful to you. Yes, it is also fun to go buy a cute outfit for the session (and also a great option especially after reading through our Portrait Session Style Guide); however consider that you might not always have their favorite little toy or that sweet outfit from Great-Grandma, but now you’ll always have a photo of baby with it!

5. Have extra help on hand…or extra hands to help! Sometimes another parent, friend or relative can come help and just be incharge of keeping an eye on the runny nose or drool while you are helping baby sit up and smile. It almost feels silly even typing this, but it will help make the session feel luxurious having extra eyes and hands!  If you do get extra help, provide him/her with specific direction.  When someone has a specific task it makes them more comfortable knowing how to contribute!

6. When it comes to calling for the baby to look at you, take cues from your photographer. If you are lucky enough to have extra help, this is especially helpful for everyone to keep in mind! Sometimes a photographer is capturing a moment or a specific angle of baby and when we call the baby to look at us the moment is missed! Also, getting baby to look into the lens means he or she can’t be looking at someone else. We photographers always appreciate everyone’s good intentions and we certainly all have the same end goal! Letting the photographer take the lead on this or asking for direction will provide you with final images that will melt your heart!

Happy 6 month birthday Charlie!  Below are images of our little Charlotte at six months old!

Knot headband by LuluLuxe Designs and Co.  •    White sailor bow by Little Heron Co.