Professional Photographers can be a great resource in creating a custom portrait.  If you don't already have a family photographer, ask for referrals from friends.  Review the photographers work and select a photographer who has an eye for lighting and composition.  Be sure to inform them that you are interested in having the photographs done to select one for a painting.  Every photographer will have different guidelines, and some may not grant you permission to use images, or may require that you use their artists.  Others may sell you the rights to one or two images at a reasonable fee.  We are happy to work with you and your photographer in creating your perfect portrait.

If you enjoy photography as a hobby, then you will more than likely be able to do your own photography.  Please check out the Basic Tips for Photography below. One of the greatest challenges is to get good photographs of children and babies.  Please see the Tips for Photographing Children  and the Babies and Newborn ideas at the bottom of the page.    

Basic Tips for Portrait Photography

1.  Choose a pleasing background.  Outdoor shots offer many background possibilities as well as beautiful natural lighting.  Most children, babies and  animals enjoy being outdoors as well.

2.  Use natural lighting either from a window or filtered outdoor light.  Morning and late afternoon light is absolutely beautiful in photographs.  Very bright light, especially in the subject's face, will cause squinting.  Either turn your subject so that the light comes in from the side, or find another spot with filtered light.  Very shady areas will often cause the shot to be out of focus and detail will be lost. 

3.  Shoot on eye level with your subject.

4. Vary your zoom.  In some shots, get more background than you think you'll need.  Zoom in close in others.

5. Take lots of photos and narrow them down later. 

6. Take candid and posed shots.  Keep your camera handy, as there are beautiful and special moments in everyday life!  Top of Page

Tips for Photographing Children

Plan Ahead:

1. Keep the stress level low with good planning and you’ll have a great time and get some wonderful photographs!
2. Schedule a low-stress day to photograph your child, and choose the time of day when your child is in their best mood.  Right after breakfast or a nap is usually a good time. 
3. Have your camera ready and set on a ‘high quality’ setting.  Make sure you have extra batteries charged and extra film or cards handy. 
4. Choose the outfit and location of your shoot along with any props and supplies you may need (bubbles, extra diapers, a comb/brush and wet wipes) 
5. If you’re going for an outdoor shoot, pack your supplies bag early and take a simple picnic lunch…avoid red punch…and don’t forget the wet wipes!
6. Make it fun and keep it simple.  No need to give long explanations about how Mommy wants a good picture.  Just tell your child “We are going to the park to play and Mommy’s going to take some pictures”. 
7. Ask another adult to assist you if you think you’ll need an extra set of hands.  A grandparent or favorite sitter can be a wonderful distraction from the camera.  Your ‘assistant’ can focus in on your child, blowing bubbles and interacting just off camera to give you some great shots.  I highly recommend this if you are uncomfortable using your camera or if your child tends to get fussy when the camera comes out.

Clothing:

Choose clothing that is not dated or distracting.  Stripes, patterns, plaids and bold colors are distracting and make the photograph look dated.  Some classic choices that always work are denim (overalls), khakis & white t-shirt, a simple slip or sundress in a pale color, and even a plain white diaper or a birthday suit for babies!  If the portrait will include more than one child the clothing choices should compliment one another.  (I like to lay out the outfits together before hand to make sure the colors work together well.)

Setting: 

Choose a location that fits the type of portrait that you want and remove distractions from the background if possible.  For an indoor shot, set up a comfortable spot by a sunny window.  Outdoor shots are fun too. The beach, a park, or a bridge over a creek create awesome backgrounds and also pique a child’s curiousity.  Allow your child to walk and investigate while you're snapping away. 

Let your child explore the setting put something of interesting to them within the setting of your shot.  If you’re outdoors, you can direct them to activities such as picking flowers, feeding fish, popping bubbles, and even wading in shallow water to look for treasures (marbles or shells) that you’ve dropped in. 

If you’re indoors set the mood with your location and either make it fun or soothing depending on what your child will respond to best…tailor the setting to their personality and you’ll get great photos.  Blow little bubbles, play soothing or fun music, play ‘I spy’ out the window, hide photos of family members in a favorite book, give them some flowers to arrange, or have them read to you.  Make it a special and close time.  Try to get comfortable enough with the camera so that you can have a conversation with your child while you shoot. 

Lighting:

Whether you’re shooting indoors or out, use natural sunlight if at all possible.  Morning or late afternoon sun is warm and rich and makes beautiful photographs.  You’ll want to avoid harsh or very bright lighting as this causes squinting.  The light should be bathing your child’s face from the front or from the side.  Using a flash gives bright vivid detail but very harsh shadows.

Snap Quickly and Often!

Kids have a tendency to be either too shy or silly at first when the camera comes out.  Be patient with them and keep directing them back to activities or talking to them until they forget about the camera. Give them some space, sit back and watch patiently, but be ready to start snapping!  Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment or get hung up on only shooting smiles.  Take candid shots to capture spur of the moment facial expressions.   You can always narrow down to the best shots later.

Stay on Eye Level

Getting down to your child’s level will make them more comfortable and will put you in a position to get some really wonderful eye-to-eye shots with them.  Don’t be afraid to get in close (zoom or move).  You don’t have to get your child’s whole body in each shot. 

Finish on a Positive Note

Don’t overdo it.  Stop before you and/or your child get exhausted and cranky.  As a surprise, allow them to do something special when you’re done shooting.  You could feed the fish, get an ice cream cone, or maybe take the last two photos as you hold the camera and help them to direct it and push the button.  Make this time special for them so that they will look forward to having their picture made again.

Babies and Newborns:

Time of day is a critical factor in getting good shots of your baby.  In additions to the tips above, there are a few other tricks, to getting great shots of your little one.

1. Remember that your child responds to your stress level.  Be patient and be prepared to spend some time to get a few good shots. 

2. Most babies hate to be cold and this makes those adorable ‘birthday suit’ pictures extra challenging.  I set up a small heater to warm up the area where I’ll be shooting, and also place a warm water bottle under the place where the baby will lay. 

3. If you like a very simple white background, pin or tape a white sheet up and drape it down over a large ‘nest’ of pillows or the boppy (for photos of baby on their tummy) or the car or bouncy seat so your baby has a comfortable and safe place to snuggle into. 

4. If you are photographing your baby on their back (such as in their car seat) you’ll want to cross their legs or drape a cloth diaper over them to keep them modest.  ALWAYS put a waterproof pad under the sheet and expect ‘leaks’.  They will happen. 

5. You’ll need to have an extra pair of hands to stay right by the baby while you’re photographing.  Expect to spend several minutes soothing and snuggling your baby once they’re undressed.  Gently snuggle them into position and lay your warm hands on them to keep them comfortable between shots.  For wiggly babies, soft tickles on their back and skin can calm them down. 

6. You may have to leave the area set up for a day or two until you catch them in just the right mood.  Try playing soothing music.  If all else fails, put Mommy in a white gown and photograph baby when he or she is asleep in Mommy’s arms. 

Have fun and enjoy these special moments with your little ones!