American Baby Magazine is having a cover photo contest and they are looking for the cutest baby/toddler. Since you have the cutest baby/toddler right in your own home, I am encouraging you all to enter! The winner gets to be the cover child on the August issue of American Baby. The deadline is March 31st and your child has to be between the ages of 3 and 24 months on the date of submission.
Whether it is photography or kid related, it is always fun to enter contests. Take this opportunity to take some wonderful shots of your kids and then enter them…you really have nothing to lose.
Make sure you capture the best of your child…make their personality shine. Get the smiles, giggles and the more pensive moments as well.
You don’t have to do anything fancy for this and it can’t be professional, but that does not mean that it has to be bad. Some random tips to think about when you take the shot. Simple clothing and background is best, but they don’t have to be boring. Indirect light is so flattering and placing your child in a doorway, under the shade of your front porch or by a window makes for wonderful big catch lights in the eyes. You can get indirect light while out and about as well, the stroller is my favorite mobile studio! Another idea is to make your own light with an external flash. Attach it to your camera, turn the flash head around to point behind you and bounce the light off a white wall or the ceiling (like in the last shot).
Here are a few shots of my babies to get you inspired:
Have any questions about entering the contest, click here for the official FAQ.
Whatever you do, have fun and celebrate the most beautiful baby in the world, yours!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh my goodness, the one of the baby in coveralls and the other of (Gemma?) in the yellow shirt are amazing! SO JEALOUS!
aw! retro gemma!
you have some seriously beautiful babies.
Sweet !!!
Such cute kids and wonderful pictures!
my daughter is pretty too but hates pictures argh… and she recently got into acting now she is juliet in romeo and juliet
Your babies are so darn cute. When I see their pictures it brings a smile to my face. My sis has a Cannon Rebel xsi, she is a part time, self taught, amature photographer. Hopefully she can capture the best of my little Riley. I have Adobe photoshop 5.0, would your presets work with that program. I don't even know if I'm asking the right thing, I don't know much about photography, but I love it.