| At three months old your baby should be lying on | | | | chubby little legs. |
| their tummy and holding their head up nice and | | | | At twelve months, your baby might be standing by |
| strong. Some babies will do this at 2 ½ months | | | | their self or even walking. Be sure, if you choose to |
| and some later. Each baby is different so don't worry. | | | | put shoes on your baby, that they are cleaned and |
| This is also a time when your baby will not like | | | | polished. Always check the bottoms of the shoes! At |
| clothing changes. Try laying baby on his/her tummy | | | | this stage, the child will be easily distracted by their |
| and when they raise their head take the picture. A | | | | surroundings. It works best to engage the child in an |
| B&W photo at this time is a classic and sure to | | | | activity. Many times the best images at this age, the |
| be a keeper! | | | | child will not be looking at the camera. This is to be |
| Six months old is a wonderful time! Your baby should | | | | expected and is considered a very artful image. |
| be sitting up without assistance. Don't be fooled by | | | | I cannot stress enough, the importance of |
| what we call a "tripod" position where your baby sits | | | | documenting your baby's stages during the first year. |
| up but leans forward. This is a great time to | | | | Whether you take the photos yourself or use a |
| photograph your baby with a favorite stuffed animal, | | | | professional photographer, this time cannot be |
| in a special infant chair, or with a sibling. Expressions | | | | repeated. |
| at this stage are priceless. | | | | The following are some tips for better photographs |
| At the nine month stage your baby will be going | | | | 1) Use natural light (without flash) as much as possible |
| through major teething and drooling so keep plenty | | | | to avoid the dreaded red-eye. |
| of drool rags nearby. They may also experience | | | | 2) Move in close and be quick, watching for those |
| separation or stranger anxiety... It takes a lot of | | | | once-in-a-lifetime expressions. |
| patience to capture this stage. Do not always expect | | | | 3) Photograph outdoors in the shade to avoid the |
| smiles on this time. They just have a lot on their mind | | | | harshness of the sunlight. |
| and will usually just look at the camera with a sweet | | | | 4) Never face a child with the sun in their eyes. They |
| face like a porcelain doll. We call this THE NINE | | | | will squint (wouldn't you?). |
| MONTH STARE! This stage is also when your baby is | | | | 5) Always, always, always have a camera with you. |
| standing and holding on to things. This is known as | | | | 6) Consider using the services of a professional |
| cruising. Try photographing your baby standing | | | | photographer especially for the 3, 6, 9, and 12 month |
| barefoot and with shorts on to show those cute, | | | | sessions. |