When you are deciding on having portraits made, how do you go about it? Well first find the right photographer. Here at the Family Album we love taking children's portraits.

 We do have a few hints on getting good portraits.

• First, make sure your child has had a good nap. You would not believe how many people schedules are so hectic, they forget to consider this very important item.
• Second, make sure your child has been fed. Very important.
• Third, NEVER AND I MEAN "NEVER" coach a smile on to your child. You want natural smiles that come from the heart. There is nothing worse in portraits than the fake smile. Always tell the child they are going to have fun and that it is all about that "FUN". If you want that ugly fake smile, then go ahead, coach them. But that also adds presure so they become nervous and not only do you have a fake smile but also a nervous one.
• Fouth, Dont tell your child to say cheese unless you want their upper lip to curl in an odd way. I know, Cheese has been said for many years and your parents had you say it.  It just does not work as well as something silly. 
• Fifth, Come ready, Change of clothes for just in case, dipers, bottles, and anything else to keep the child busy and happy.
• Sixth, If you have more than one child in portraits, stay away from patterns on the clothes.  Multiple patterns causes the crazy quilt thing. Simple cloths are always the best. Stay away from too much lace like those pagent dresses of the early 90's. "Less is more" is so true.
• Seventh, Let the photographer do their job or buy your own camera and take it yourself at home. You come to a professional for a reason. Dont question them while they are in the middle of shooting. VERY RUDE.
• Eighth, Don't expect more out of your child than what they are capable of doing at the age they are. Dont expect your 6 month old to sit on the back of a Carosel horse. Not going to happen. Unrealistic. Brand new babies dont usually smile unless they have gas. Generaly, about 3 month old is when a baby begins to smile for strangers.
• Ninth, too many people trying to get a child to smile will freak a child out and cause the end of a session. Allow the photographer (again) to do their job. The photographer will use one of you if they need to.
• Tenth, Don't stress over portraits. Your child will pick up on it and then they become stressed. The result, a bad portrait.
• Eleventh, schedule doctors visits after your portrait session and not before.  Nothing worse than a child afraid or cranky because of getting proded or given a shot then expected to be happy for the camera.
• Twelth, your portrait session should be enjoyable and little if no stress so relax.  You are having a portrait made not having surgery done.  No life is in peril.  Your photographer is doing this job because he/she loves what they do (or at least they should). 
• Thirteenth, A good portrait photographer is an artist and should be given the respect of one.  Never pull out your camera or camera cell phone to snap that picture.  Your photographer spends a lot of time and money creating their props and sets plus all the years of school and experience.  This enviroment is where they make their living and taking a picture without the photographers permission is actually stealing from them.  If you want to take pictures with your own camera then spend the money and time like the photographer does and create those sets and props for yourself otherwise let them do their job.  You come to them for their art and their creative sets and props.

Remember that the photos of the beautiful babies in the magazines have been extremely touched up and air brushed.  Hours have been spent on making those portraits perfect. Touch up like that will cost big bucks.  Enjoy your child for what they look like, rashes, birth marks, demples, and all.  We do some touch ups while you watch here at the Family Album.  But if you want the air brush look than be prepared to pay really big bucks.  Art work on photos does not come cheep.