Baby Portrait

missminx

Hi all, hope this is ok to post here My friend is looking to book her toddler in for photographs and wondered if anyone has any advice / knows of any offers she may be able to take up? If anyone has used someone they can recommend. (She is in South Wales)

AnotherMakes3

Best pics I have got done was from a local independent photographer. We paid £100 for 235 photo's on cd and that included studio hire. We can then print our favs and enlarge or get them put onto canvas cheaply. Big companies like venture and pixiphoto are good but they come with a huge pricetag.

My friend got some fab ones done by some photography students from her local college for very cheap and they were great too.

StumpyPumpy

Is she a member of a baby club or something similar? If so, ask the other parents there if they have any recommendations. Or speak to parents at work or passing acquaintances in the park and get them to show her their pictures they will always be happy to show you pictures of their baby
With the ubiquity of digital cameras these days anyone can take a picture but it still takes an artist to take a good photograph and babies can be tricky to do well. Get a list of local photographers and see if they have a website with samples of their work but remember that a brilliant wedding photographer might take lousy children's portraits. When she finds a couple she likes, go and see them and ask to see their portfolio, also ask to see the studio and consider how her child will react to the environment. If she has ideas for what sort of photographs she wants this is the time to discuss them with the photographer. It is no good turning up on the day wanting a "naked on bearskin rug" picture to find no one has a bearskin rug, so she will need to know what props are available and what she needs to bring if she wants them in the final shots.
A good, professional photographer will also be able to provide her with references and will be happy to do everything I've mentioned. They will also be able to provide guidance and help about what makes the best and most memorable photographs, but if she knows what she wants she should be able to specify it.
On the day of the shoot make sure she takes changes of clothing, toys and food for the toddler. A shot with a favourite teddy is often a winner and creates a talking point for years to come, but she has to take the teddy to get it
My final suggestion will not suit everyone, but I'll mention it anyway: if she has a camera and likes taking the occasional snap (or has a friend/partner who does and can come along), ask the photographer if she can take pictures as he works. I love these types of shot and as long as you don't get in the way of the pro can put a whole new spin on the day.


HTH

SP