re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure you are fast or have a good camera to catch that oh so cute but quick smile on that little ones face! Its so hard sometimes to catch that perfect look, singing dancing tickling, are all great ways to help baby get into picture taking!

Posted by LadyJ23    Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:29 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure everyone has had there naps and are grump free.

Posted by kbtweety    Thursday, November 27, 2008 4:03 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The best pictures are the candid ones- they are the best when they are not perfect! Those little captured screw ups show everyones personality and, they are that much more fun to go through and reminisce about later on.

Posted by gabidale    Thursday, November 27, 2008 8:02 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

stay sober you won't look so ridiculous

Posted by mverno    Thursday, November 27, 2008 2:45 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

haha on the sober!  Have several cameras going at once and buy the kids their own so they can get pics from their point of view/ you just may leanr what they see and how they view the world!  Always have  batteries charged and take lots of pictures- sometimes the natural poses are the best pictures

Posted by heyu    Thursday, November 27, 2008 3:30 PM

Mrs

Take hundreds of pictures so that you have lots to choose from.

Posted by idahomom    Friday, November 28, 2008 6:43 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Don't wait until the last minute! Once it gets close to the holidays, everyone gets really busy. Take the pictures earlier in the year so you can plan better.

Posted by EcoBaby    Friday, November 28, 2008 8:13 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

its easier to take many candids and pick from those rather than to try to pose your child(ren).

Posted by shalyn220    Friday, November 28, 2008 8:17 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

i like to take photos on "2" instead of "3" for more spontaneous smiles.  we also take fun jumping photos -- the trick to impressive height is to take the photo from as low as possible (and to take a lot of shots so you get one of everyone in the air.)  :)  

Posted by babymamaKM    Friday, November 28, 2008 9:32 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Dont try so hard to get the "perfect" pose, as it will ultimately lead to frustration for you and your child!  Rather, capture your child(ren) as they are - those candid moments are the best!  

Posted by babyhope723    Friday, November 28, 2008 9:52 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

you just need to make sure to get up close and personal and in focus. if it is cold outside take a pic next to a window where there is plenty of light.

Posted by SarahBukisi    Friday, November 28, 2008 10:10 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Always, always, always have the camera charged.  That's the worst feeling when there's a great moment and you miss it because the battery's dead.

Posted by ezschunke    Friday, November 28, 2008 10:39 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Schedule photos after naps and feeding.  The morning is usually the best time after a full nights rest.

Posted by malvar    Friday, November 28, 2008 11:50 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Natural lighting is best, early morning or late afternoon before or after naps so baby/kiddos happy.  Plain background if inside or natural background like trees/grass for outdoors.

Posted by znh    Friday, November 28, 2008 12:01 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The best pics are always ones the ones being photographed are relaxed or unaware that they ARE being photographed :)  THAT is the secret of great pictures!!

Posted by kalikrush    Friday, November 28, 2008 12:42 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Take posed photos at the beginning of a family visit, and candids after that. Use multiple shooters if possible, for separate angles of the same shot.

Posted by margocole    Friday, November 28, 2008 1:45 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure you make it FUN!!  The best smiles are real ones...  you have to act a little silly and take multiple shots.

Posted by vrizzy9105    Friday, November 28, 2008 3:28 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The more pictures you take the better change you will have of getting a good one. Now that pretty much everyone has digital cameras it's great you can snap away and delete anything you don't like, without having to waste money developing those horrible shots.

Posted by krealander    Friday, November 28, 2008 4:49 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

get up close to get the faces.

Posted by vboackle    Friday, November 28, 2008 6:31 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Schedule the photo shoot for the time of day when your kids are in the best mood.

Posted by sheri8259    Friday, November 28, 2008 7:44 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Take the pics prior to eating ~ people always feel "bloated or fat" after eating, and make weird faces trying to suck in their holiday gut! Try to capture moments ~ these pics will bring tears and joy and warm feelings for years to come.

Posted by missesprincess    Saturday, November 29, 2008 1:59 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The technique I like to use is, rather than getting up close with a smaller lens and a bright flash, get further away and use a longer lens with a zoom.  You can capture your baby in his/her natural state and they won't be bothered by the flash.  This also will look nice and the sides and background will blur as your focus will be set directly on your baby.

Posted by markkap    Saturday, November 29, 2008 2:28 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Always make sure baby is well rested and has full tummy to get the winning smile!

Posted by franciscaz    Saturday, November 29, 2008 4:31 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Dont take it so seriously. The best shots are always the candid ones, where everyone is smiling, laughing and having a good time!

Posted by CaseyDeuce    Saturday, November 29, 2008 5:35 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Keep it simple!  Don't have backgrounds or outfits too busy.  Keep it simple and keep the focus on your baby.  

Posted by April37    Saturday, November 29, 2008 8:41 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The most important thing is to get a good backdrop.... such as Hawaii, Mexico, Tahiti, Bora Bora :-)

Posted by wittybob    Sunday, November 30, 2008 12:20 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure everyone is well rested and fed, always have the camera close by and take lots and lots of pictures, that way you're bound to get some good shots.

Posted by Beaniesmommy    Sunday, November 30, 2008 1:28 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure everyone is fed and rested.  If it still doesn't go as planned, quit and try again a different time.  Going longer than the patience level just makes people more crabby.

Posted by superkaren    Sunday, November 30, 2008 1:36 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

make sure you have the rapid shutter selected so you may get a really good shot even if you don't with just the regular shutter and to make the shots easy not so much involved and to maintain from one shot to the next

Posted by EEYORE119    Sunday, November 30, 2008 3:15 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Take lots and lots of pictures in order to pick a good one.

Posted by paryjeja    Sunday, November 30, 2008 7:19 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

when photographing babies... have help!  it's too much to position a child and take a photo at the same time.  

a photographic pet peeve of mine is stuff coming out of people's heads/ears.  make sure there are no backgroiund objects that look like they are growing out of the subject's noggin.  

and most importantly... light!  in children, the lighting should not be too harsh... but as soft as you can get it - and natural light (a window) is always my favorite!  special lights (christmas) look magical if they are illuminating a child's face.  

Posted by iheartderek    Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:33 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

If you can use a digital camera, just snap and snap away.  Take lots and lots of shots.  Change the zoom and get close ups.  I always just sit and watch my kids through the camera lens.  When they forget I am taking pictures, they are more natural and I get great candids.

Posted by fairydancer    Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:40 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

I take lots of photos so that I have plenty to choose from, and when the kids are decorating the tree, always make the best.

Posted by inismom    Sunday, November 30, 2008 11:08 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

I love photos of "real" moments on holidays. Not the fascinated smiles as they first play with that great new toy, but three hours later when they're passed out  in their crib with their pretty Christmas dress stained with cranberry sauce and their perfect pigtails disheveled after long hours of play.

Posted by brightning    Sunday, November 30, 2008 11:13 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

For Christmas cards I will drive around town to find the perfect spot that says where we are. If there is something Christmasy in the background, I dress my daughter in cute street clothes. If not, I put her in something a little more festive. I think the juxtaposition makes a more interesting picture.

Posted by Piliuli    Monday, December 01, 2008 12:22 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Keep it natural!  Candid shots are the best!!  Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ONE AND ALL!!!

Posted by bndraldy    Monday, December 01, 2008 1:20 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Have a camera in your hand at all times to catch the best, unscripted moments.

Posted by mantle    Monday, December 01, 2008 7:47 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Don't be afraid to be spontaneous.

Posted by mslilyk    Monday, December 01, 2008 8:51 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

My tip is to not always take posed pictures. Some of my favorite pictures of my kids are profile and action shots.

Posted by Tandt625    Monday, December 01, 2008 9:06 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Include lots of different backgrounds.

Posted by garrettsambo    Monday, December 01, 2008 9:27 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Take pics while doing something Christmas-y, like making cookies or ornaments.  A little icing or glitter on the nose would be hilarious!

Posted by choochoo428    Monday, December 01, 2008 9:39 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Get down on their level!  Your picture will take on a whole new look and become even more interesting if you are eye level with the subject.   This is especially good for those moments of joy while opening packages or playing with that new 'I had to have it' toy.  

Thanks for a great giveaway!

Posted by futureMrsV    Monday, December 01, 2008 11:07 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The main thing is to take alot of pictures.  Then you can pick the ones you want to keep.

Posted by donnak4    Monday, December 01, 2008 11:45 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Make sure the schedule is known, the dress code (if any) is clear, and everyone plans to show up early. Pictures are stressful for many people and they are bound to show up unhappy and not in the mood for photos.

Posted by buffyanne    Monday, December 01, 2008 12:34 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

I think in order to get good pictures you have to take a lot of them just because this person will move and this person will have their eyes closed.  A good camera and everyone being in a good mood helps too.

Posted by jeenschultz    Monday, December 01, 2008 1:48 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Try to get a candid shot, so they don't look staged and boring like everybody elses photocards!

Posted by Jennafer211    Monday, December 01, 2008 2:26 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

The best photos are candid ones in my opinion...Also, I like pictures that show the subject(s) and not tons of the background.

Posted by happishopr    Monday, December 01, 2008 2:28 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Always have extra batteries! Take pictures in the morning, before lunch. My son is always in a better mood before 11 a.m.

Posted by ashes77ford    Monday, December 01, 2008 5:03 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

take lots of natural poses and shots! :)ty 4 the awesome giveaway and entry!:)

Posted by jmahurin40    Monday, December 01, 2008 8:13 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Bring toys that the kids like to keep them smiling :)

Posted by gkran    Monday, December 01, 2008 10:12 PM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Ask someone else to take it, don't use the timer. That extra person can also help you come up with different 'poses' you maybe didn't think of!

Posted by kirkandjanine    Tuesday, December 02, 2008 9:48 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

When you are relaxed your baby will be relaxed, and it will show in your photos.  Our best photos of our little boy have come from the times when we're not trying to capture that perfect smile of him looking into the camera, but when we're down on the floor being goofy with him and having fun!

Posted by aimeelv    Wednesday, December 03, 2008 2:07 AM

re: Shutterfly Designer Holiday Cards Giveaway!

Take a bunch!

Posted by tanuha25    Thursday, July 02, 2009 12:05 PM