As a photographer I work with kids about 85% of the time. It can be very challenging and in some instances a total breeze! I've noticed different photographic stages in the first year of life and by knowing these stages it helps me approach a shoot with confidence! The first stage, Newborn. They are so darn cute and you can mold them like a warm ball of clay in the cutest poses and positions. It's best to photograph newborns in the first two weeks of life in order to have that flexibility with your subject.
The second stage would really be considered the "baby ugly" stage. Now we all know babies aren't ugly, but from about 3 weeks to 3 months babies are awkward in their skin. They can't stretch out and they have baby acne and well, the rest is history.
The 3 and 4 month range is difficult sometimes to get creative with. At this point the baby isn't sitting up and there are really only 2 poses that they can really handle and that is on the back and on the tummy.
6 months are my FAVORITE! They have just discovered how to sit up by this point and they are stationary. No carpet crawlers yet, and if you get a good nap for the little one right before, you are guaranteed more smiles!
The 9 month to one year stage is so much fun too! They are moving, clapping, walking, crawling, laughing, playing etc... You can get so creative with this age group! Well there you have it! Hope this gave you some insight about photographing little ones in their first year!
Happy Photographing!
