Your baby is growing by the minute - and you're busy keeping up. This series of photo projects were designed by a professional photographer and mom to help you remember what each stage was like. Every project includes tips and inspiration for creating a photo gallery on the fly - complete one a month at a time or jump around between projects. Do whatever works for you - just make sure to keep your camera handy and take plenty of pictures!
(Photo © Joanne Dugan)
Month 1-6: Baby Meets World
Your baby Brand new and changing by the minute
Your project Document all of it, artfully!
Your photo gallery Baby Meets World
The first days home are a wild ride of feelings and discoveries for you and your baby. Looking back at photographs of these heady days will help you remember what it was like to watch a tiny being navigate a strange, new world. I made images of my infant son every single day during his first year and as a professional photographer-turned-parent, these personal snapshots remain among my favorite images ever. And yes, while you're immersed in caring for your infant, working with your camera can also help you take care of yourself - it's a wonderful way to express all of the emotions that come with new parenthood.
Project tip sheet• Daily life, moment to moment, is the most interesting part of the story, so spend this month learning to take photos that show your baby’s entire experience: waking, napping, stretching, crying. No moment is too small to document and no scenario is too messy. Shoot it all.
• Whenever someone else is there to hold the camera (or the baby), don't forget to document the diaper changes too, along with nursing, bath time, your stream of visitors - and yourselves.
• As you get used to being on the other side of the camera from your baby, start noticing how the patterns and textures around him - soft crib sheets when he's sleeping, patterned fabric when he's in your lap - change the look of your pictures. Being aware of backgrounds will help you frame your photos better.
Try itLap time When the baby's stretched out on your lap, shoot a wide vertical “parent’s eye view” showing your newborn, your legs and feet, and any other daily life details.
Waah! Someone else is holding Baby, and he’s wailing. Instead of rushing to the rescue, take ten seconds and come in close to take a shot of his crying face. This big, emotional moment helps to tell the whole story of your baby’s beginnings. (And don’t worry, your little one will calm down fast and may even like the distraction of the camera.)
Dream time Focus on a close-up of the baby’s peaceful face while she’s sleeping (no flash, please!).
So small Show your baby’s tiny size by taking a picture when she's lying in the middle of your bed. Stand directly over her and set the camera on the widest-angle setting. Include your feet for scale and snap away. Fun toenail polish and a brightly colored bedspread will add dimension.
Baby and... For a series of lovely, unusually angled portraits of two of your favorite people, have your partner (or your mom or best friend) lie on the floor face up. Use the crook of the adult's neck as a "pillow" for your newborn by laying the baby on his back with his head nestled there, looking straight up at you. Stand over the pair, make silly noises to get Baby’s attention, and shoot straight down.
Next page: Baby Body Shots