Conference moira::parenting

    I've had Lindsay's done 3 times.  First two in rompers and 3rd in a
    dress....I like the one pieces better than the dress picture...came
    out better....nothing sticking up or out and you and the photographer 
    aren't jumping at the kid fixing the hem, tights, etc constantly...the
    less picking at them and fussing the better and more relaxed the
    picture i found.  Early in the am worked best for us...nice sleep and
    fun tub...set her out in a good mood.  Natural props to her worked best
    I picked books and phones....what she loves to play with at home...last
    time I brought a book from home that wouldn't clash with her dress.

    Lori,
    
    There was an article in Parent's Magazine a couple of months ago about
    taking your kids to have their picture taken.  Some of the things they
    mentioned were to dress your kid in white (it made the child's face the
    focus of the picture, not the brightly colored clothing), for toddler's
    don't tell them that they are having their picture "taken", toddler's
    don't like to have things "taken" from them and they may get upset,
    instead tell them they are having their picture "made".  There were a
    few other things which I don't recall, but those 2 made sense to me.
    
    In fact, we've had Sarah's picture taken twice, the first she was
    wearing a white romper with pale pink rosebuds and the second time an
    aqua blue dress with white stripes.  I greatly prefer the first picture
    because what you notice are her huge blue eyes, in the second picture her
    dress competes for attention.
    
    I found that the best time for Sarah to have her picture taken was
    after lunch.  She was well rested from her morning nap and had a full
    belly, she was in a great mood and full of smiles.  Figure out your
    child's best time of day and try to schedule for then.
    
    Happy picture taking,
    Susan
    

    Make sure that WHEREVER you go, you aren't going to have to wait around
    "forever".  Olan Mills ALWAYS kept us waiting at least 45 mins, when we
    had an appt - after sitting around for 45 mins+, there was no way we
    were getting smiles.  
    
    Solid bold colors usually work best.  You may be able to call and ask
    what color background(s) they typically use.  I like to use reds,
    whites and greens for the kids (but they have "orange" hair).  Facial
    colors have a tendency to "fade" a bit, so if she's a little pale, try
    to keep a brighter "red/pink" color near her face to help warm it up.
    
    The best contrasted picture I have of Chris is with him in a white
    button down with a red tie.  Jason has a red and blue romper on, with
    white turtleneck under it.  Unfortunately, the straps for the romper
    are sticking up )-: but other than that, it's a GREAT shot!  With a
    smoke black background, the effect was stunning.
    
    Have fun!  Bring a favorite "something" of hers, as well as perhaps a
    (not messy) snack/drink.  And if they make you wait too long, I'd leave
    rather than try to push it and get bad shots.

    If your having the pictures made at a department store with one of
    their "advertised" packages - be forewarned - READ THE TINY PRINT. 
    Some places (i.e., SEARS) do not give you a choice on which pose makes
    up the package.  Usually it's the first shot of the session and not the
    best picture generally.  Other places (i.e., JC PENNEY's) do let you
    choose which pose makes up your package deal.  Of course in the long
    run it probably doesn't matter.  I have yet to buy just the package
    deal and usually spend ALOT more money than I planned 8-).

    When Ilona was a baby, we went to Sears with a discount coupon and
    bought just the basic package, very inexpensive.  Had it done several
    times so we ended up with at least one good set of photos.  I like
    their basic light-brown background.  The black looks awful for my
    daughter.  What works depends entirely on your child's coloring.
    
    Routine:  Go early in the a.m., right after breakfast.  Dress baby in
    play clothes and put photo outfit in diaper bag.  Register at Sears. 
    Walk around the mall for an hour or two, until we estimated it was our
    turn.  Notify Sears we'd returned.  Even if they passed your place on
    the list, you automatically get the next available photographer.  Use
    the few minutes of waiting time to change and clean up baby in the
    stroller, supply a non-messy snack if necessary.  Shoot and depart.
    
    On return, register on  pick-up list by 11 a.m.    Go for walk if it
    will be a long wait.   Buy basic package after quick scan of other
    options.  We only bought extras once, for a very good set of pictures. 
    Beat a hasty retreat.
    
    The colors that look best on your child depend on your child's
    coloring.  In my experience, the deeper pastels were better.  My
    daughter looked washed-out in pale pink.  But that was may have been 
    due to the photo processing...  
    
    It has been lo these many months since we've had her portrait taken.  I
    don't know what routine will work best now that she's a toddler.  We
    rarely go to the malls.  Our last mall visit was very fatiguing for me.
    
    Try to avoid the most popular photo seasons unless you are prepared to
    deal with the crowds, even in the morning.  These seasons are before
    Christmas and Easter.
    
    L

    
    I also went to Sears and I'm not sure I'd go back again.  I found 
    that not only do you not get your choice of photos, their also very
    rude and pushy.  I've gone to kinderphoto and liked them much better.
    Depending on the background you choose for your main picture would depend 
    on how you dress your child.  Last time I used one of the winter 
    backgrounds and had a flowery dress on her.  It made the picture very 
    busy. As for the plain backgrounds the dress made her eyes stand
    out more (blue dress, blue eyes).  AS for the time, if you have a happy
    baby then it doesn't much matter.
    
    deb
     

    The last time I had David's photos taken, I dressed him in casual
    clothes.  This was by far the best series!  It looked just like him, he
    was comfortable, and was more ready to smile than if I had dressed him
    in some fussy outfit.  I'll do the same again, if only I can find a
    time where he doesn't have chicken pox, a black eye, or a "third eye"
    from getting smacked in the forehead with a swing...

    If it hasn't already been said...SHINE THOSE SHOES..
    
    It's the only regret I have re: my daughter's first posed picture. She
    looks great and the light pink dress did not compete for attention..
    looked best against a stark, light background...she has dark hair and 
    eyes...but, oh, those sneakers !

    With the little babies, it helps to have two parents (or a friend) -
    one to prop the baby up under the blanket, one to help get the baby's
    attention if the photog can't do it.  Just be sure the attention-
    getter follows the photog's directions.  Photogs don't appreciate
    unsolicited help.
    
    L

As for location, I have good luck with Penney's.  The process they use
lets you choose the background colors and poses before the session starts.
They will also tell you which pose is used to make up the larger size
prints beforehand.  The camera's they use (at least here in Phoenix)
allows them to snap the picture and then show the pose on an overhead
monitor.  If the picture does not turn out, they can re-do it then and
there so you know pretty closely how the photos will turn out.

I have tried many different color combinations,  The one I have found
I like the best lately is to dress the child in bright primary colored
outfit (more playlike than dressy) and use a royal blue background (both
my kids have big blue eyes).  

Timing is always hit or miss.  Lately I have not had to wait for more
than 5-10 minutes.  But, I can never tell how the kids will act.  I try
to make the appointment for times they are USUALLY well rested and fed
but that is no guarantee.  Best advice I have for this is go with the
flow.  If the kids are not in the mood for picture taking, reschedule.
Its better than having everyone miserable and also makes them more
anxious when its time for the next session.

Barbara

    I guess this one is right up my alley...
    
    My husband and I (he's the PHOTog in our family) does studio photography
    as a rather "serious hobby".  From our experience, fresh from a nap
    works great for the littler ones.  Oh and just wiping their little
    faces with a plain face cloth seems to help give the kids that innocent
    glow.  We use solid color backgrounds, and contrary to what someone
    said, we have had excellent results using a black background, we also
    use bright royal blue, red, and a sort of marbelized pink, these are
    all made of ordinary felt.  The "props" are also important, we use a
    paintd white rockingchair, a wooden rocking horse, Dr. Seuss books
    (while sitting in the chair)  we are currently looking for a child size
    , round bac wicker chair to use too.  Other nice backgrounds would be
    to find someone who will come to your home, this is a nice relaxed way
    of doing the portrait session, and use something like a fireplace or
    the livingroom sofa as a backdrop, or your bay or bow window, against
    the outside greenery (or snow if it's a winter picture).
    
    There is a Photographer's Note file, not sure where it is, that might
    help answer questions as well.
    
    Before he bought his camera I would dress AJ and go to the Mall,
    register both at Sears AND at Kinderphoto.  Have pictures taken at
    both, buy their basic packages, spend around $30 total and walk away
    with some pretty nice pictures for little money.  In retrospect, one of
    AJ's nicest infant pictures was done at K-mart in their "traveling"
    photo studio.  We've discovered our son is an absolute ham!  All we
    have to do is pull out the camera and he's "posing" for us!  But after
    all he is kind of cute if I do say so :-) !!
    
    Lyn
    

    On a different note, I'm interested in information on using
    video cameras to film kids.  Did you invest in a video camera for
    recording your kids?   Was it worth the money?  What camera
    features are useful when taping infants and kids?
    
    /Deb

    Just a note for all those "family memory" archivists out there,
    you've got to remember that video film does not last very long
    (when I say very, I mean more than a generation). It can't be
    considered a permanent record by any means, and will probably
    degrade enough to become unviewable in your child's lifetime.
    
    My father's first 8mm movies of me (as a toddler) are now to the 
    point where we must now choose to project them only once more- 
    to remaster onto video (which will have to do again in another 30
    years!) 
    
    Sad to say, colour photographs have the same problem. Although they
    last longer than video or movie film, The paper is acid based and 
    the colour will begin to fade after about 20 years (depending on
    the original development procedure). I know examples of 10 year
    old prints being worse off than 30 year old colour prints, but 
    again, this varies account to the elements used in the creation of the 
    prints.
    
    B&W prints last much longer (100 years?) even though they are acid
    based. You can get archival quality prints made (acid free paper, and 
    correct me if I am wrong, I believe the chemicals used are also
    different).  The archival quality prints have a life span of several
    hundred years (in theory) but it depends on their care.
    
    There are discussions in the genealogy and photo notes conferences.
    
    Monica

    
    Monica -
    
    Can you proviode pointers to the geneaolgy conference?
    
    THx -
    Jamd

DSSDEV::GENEALOGY

    One of the 'justifications' for getting my Camcorder was filming any
    kiddies that may appear. As its 4 days to go for our first baby I
    haven't had a chance to use it for this yet!
    
    Helen has banned me from using it until the day after the birth (which
    is understandable really) so I probably will take it in to hospital 
    afterwards.
    
    Most of the film (tape?) I generally take is moving snapshots, with the
    intention (one day) to re-order everything into a presentable state
    (just like sticking the best photos in an album), but I don't generally
    get around to it :-)
    
    I had thought about (with both stills & video) an annual session, but
    good intentions often go by the wayside.
    
    On an archiving note, what about stills onto CD & one day they're bound
    to do video onto CD. (As long as in 100 years time, they still make the
    players...)
    
    Andy

	One suggestion, if you DO get a camcorder for recording special 
events is that if there are two parents (adults) that they should both learn 
to operate the camcorder, and take turns operting it.  I remember at times 
being very resentful that I watched many significant events through a 
viewfinder.
	A related suggestion for events like recitals, plays, and the like, 
is to find someone else to do the videotaping.  For some events, it may be 
worth it to have it professionally done; they usually have better equipment, 
and are more skilled at it.  That would be kind of expensive for an 
individual event, but for something like a play, the professional can make 
money by selling several copies.
	Also, for pictures taken with movie cameras, the technology exists to 
transfer it to video tape.  Don't know how much this costs, though.

Clay 

	I intend to get a video recorder for a reason that nobody has
	mentioned yet... grandparents!  My parents live in Floriday
	9 months of the year so they will miss seeing their first
	grandchild grow up.  I figured I could send tapes to them
	periodically so that they could see him/her in action rather
	than just seeing snapshots.  

	Karen

    re; CD's
    Yes! a good idea, provided you can choose the shots you save. Its good
    because no matter whether or not the players will still exist, the CD
    itself will last a long time and the images are in an organized format.
    Some time in the remote future, anyone with a little imagination will
    find a way to get the info out of them even if the original technology
    is long forgotten (my personal "lost civilization" theory ;-) ).
    Of course, they are not very handy for quick viewing, but will do
    for long term storage.
    Clay;
    not only are you stuck behind the viewer, years later anyone seeing
    the videos will say "Where's Clay? We can't see him anywhere!". So
    you have a good idea to share the responsibilities.
    Re: videoing after the birth:
    Isn't your wife going to let you practice just a little ? Like getting
    the baby prepping on film (possibly shots of the mother-to-be?). I
    would be afraid to try an untested piece of recording equipment for
    the first time at a major event!
    
    Monica

    We bought a video camera when Sarah was 3 mos old (she's 1 now) and I'm
    really glad we did.  Still photos just don't capture the excitement of
    the moment the way video does.
    
    My parents were waiting for us when we came down from the LDR room and
    we've got a video (dad's camera) of Sarah being weighed and measured.  
    We made a movie for my grandparents who live in Florida called "A Day in 
    the Life of Sarah" which chronicled her day from when she awoke to when she
    went to bed. They watched it constantly and it was the greatest
    medicine for my grandfather who was terminally ill with cancer.  He
    said it made him feel like he was right there.  Then there's Sarah's
    first steps, still photos just show her standing there, but the video
    captures her walking around, falling and getting back up.
    
    Yup, I agree that someday video will be obsolete, but I'm sure there
    will be a way to port the video onto whatever the current technology is
    just as you can port your parents old home movies onto video today.
    
    Money well spent IMHO
    
    Susan

re: .18

That was one of the reasons that we got ours.  This may not apply
to you, but in our case, my mother is not electronics literate,
and the VCR intimidated her at first.  If that's the case, I'd
suggest getting a simple play-only VCR.  Their quite inexpensive,
and they can use them for the videos of their kids or for videos
they rent.

re: .19

> years later anyone seeing the videos will say "Where's Clay? 
> We can't see him anywhere!".

Monica, trust me; you do NOT want to see me on Christmas morning.

Clay

    About not being in the delivery room, I think your wife should
    reconsider that.  
    
    My husband set the camera on a tripod behind my head.  Nothing
    embarrassing *ever* shows (except my feet up in the air ;-)).  And if
    she doesn't like it, you can just tape over it.  But having the first
    moments of your babies life is wonderful to relive.  I forgot things
    that the tape can then remind me of.
    
    It makes me cry every time I watch it.  
    
    judy

    re .17, at my neice's first communion recently there were NO
    photographs allowed, or video during the actual mass.  The solution was
    the church itself set up a video camera on a tripod, at the very front
    of the church, and taped the whole thing.  A local video store agreed
    to make a copy of the tape for each family for a small fee, 
    (although I'm not positive that each family didn't provide a blank
    tape)  By the way, my husband's sister volunteered my husband for the
    job, and his complaint like some others' was that he only got to see
    his neice's first communion through the viewfinder.  His other
    complaint was that he was not offered communion, nor was he able to
    join the entire family during the actual Eucharist giving.
    
    On a personal note, we decided just before AJ's first Christmas to buy
    a video camera.  After much research and testing we decided on the make
    and model, and ordered it through a discount house in NYC. 
    Interestingly it was delivered the very day that AJ took his FIRST
    STEPS!  almost as if AJ waited so we could capture it on film, we also
    captured my feet, the ceiling and lots of blurred moving shots!
    
    My sister inlaw found a video rental store who would rent a camera to
    her for their daughter's first and second birthday party.  At least
    they were able to capture the event on film, without having to purchase
    a camera.
    
    Somewhere in one of my husband's photo magazines there is a company
    that advertises that it will come to the hospital and "discretely" film
    the big event.  You tell them your aprox due date, and they have
    someone on a beeper.  I found it an interesting concept, and
    alternative to a nervous dad trying to film, coach and encourage!
    
    Lyn

Try and get on their level too...I always like the movies better when 
I'm on my knees looking straight at the kids instead of standing up looking
down at them.

FWIW

    Photography & video can be great ways to keep the family and relatives in
    touch with your family activities.  If you live long distance from your 
    parents, the 1-2 visits per year may not be enough for your children's
    grandparents.  Besides, it might replace one of their lengthy visits !
    
    Children grow so fast that attempts to record some of the development 
    process are usually rewarding.  Parents with school-age kids like to 
    record their little ones in plays, musicals, ... I think it is worth
    owning a camcorder to capture daily moments.  Rental is fine for the
    birthdays, but most of life happens on the other 364 days in the year.
    
    For video, I recommend keeping most scenes short (2-6 seconds), but
    use different angles (start/stop/start recording).  Also edit, either
    at recording time or when making a copy.  The goal is to keep the
    audience's interest !  And don't move the camcorder very often.  Let
    the subjects provide the action.  Enough advice from me...        

Re: .20

>Still photos just don't capture the excitement of the moment the way 
>video does.

Funny, I feel exactly the opposite.

Chris

    The Nashua Telegraph has a coupon for Kinderfoto  - $5.89 for 53 
    portraits.  Package includes 2 8x10, 3 5x7, 12 Wallets and 36 minis.
    
    Julie
    

	    Lauren's hospital is having a contest and they are looking
	    for pictures of babies born there in the past year and a
	    half or so.  I want to send a picture in but I can't decide
	    which one... I have alot of good ones.  I'm looking for
	    input on what sort of picture would win a contest.  Personally,
	    I don't think they are looking for great photography skills
	    but I could be wrong.  It seems to me that the baby is the
	    most important component here.  Then there is the baby
	    itself... do judges want to pick the prettiest baby (Lauren
	    is particularly pretty I've been told) or do they want one
	    that shows alot of personality.

	    I have one picture that shows Lauren sitting in a chair
	    with a big wide open laugh on her face.  This picture is
	    screaming with personality but does not show how pretty
	    she can be.  I have another shot of her with a little
	    smile and she looks beautiful... gerber baby... but it is
	    not as "fun" as the other picture.

	    As far as quality goes, would you pick a picture which
	    was slightly grainy or perhaps overexposed but still a great
	    picture or one that was photographically perfect but not
	    the "best" shot of your child?

	    It is so hard to be objective!!

	    Karen

    If I were judging a non-beauty contest I would definitly go for the
    photo with Personality!  Something to make me want to wonder what she's
    up to or what made her so happy etc.....Face it, there are hundreds of
    thosands of photos of cute/pretty babies photos but few that highlight
    personality or express some emotion.
    
    Jt

I agree with the previous note.  Seems like the pictures folks
like the best of "my" Lauren are the ones taken at that off moment
where she has a funny look, big smile, etc - not the posed ones
where I think she is so cute.

    I agree with the last 2 replies. I entered Andrew in a picture contest in 
    AMerican Baby last year. The winning pictures came out in the October 
    edition. The winning pictures all had some kind of "fun" theme. The 
    babies weren't particularly beautiful but the pictures did have lots of 
    personality. 
    
    For example, some of the babies had cute, colorful outfits with
    matching hats - hats were big. Babies with grandparents - the young and
    old theme. Baby on the beach - vacation theme. Baby with Mom's necklace 
    on, etc. 
    
    Karen 

        I entered the one with personality... Lauren is sitting in a
	chair, leaning forwards, her hands appear to be clasped and she
	has this huge, open mouths grin (as only a 6 month old can have)!

	You look at it and just wonder what she was so amused at (me,
	of course, making a fool of myself).

	Winners will be notified next month.  They are selecting 10
	babies from each of the 2 hospitals.  The prize is a professional
	portrait and also use in their promotional materials.  I'm not
	sure if this means the professional portrait or the one that
	is submitted for the contest.

	Karen

    I think it's time to reopen this subject.  Aaron has probably had more
    pictures taken of him in his 3 months of life then your average model! 
    (my family is dispersed all over the eastern and central part of the
    nation).  Some pictures really work, some don't, some lighting is
    great, some not...
    
    I bought an autofocus camera with a 35 to 70mm lens and built in flash
    (a point & shoot).  The flash just seems to harsh, so I've taken a
    kleenex and cut a small piece off, folded that piece and taped it over
    the flash, the pictures are much better like that, and the redeye seems to
    be minimized (the camera has a redeye ruduction system, but it doesn't
    seem to be very effective).
    
    My favorite poses include one on his dad's lap, he has a serious look
    on his face, but it's a beautiful picture, another his dad is on his
    back, Aaron's on his dads chest, propped up and they're looking in
    eachother's eyes with the biggest smiles on their faces!
    
    Any tips and suggestions for photographing kids?
    
    sandy

    
    Lots of color...
    
    Try to get alot of color in your photograph, especially primary colors.
    They really add interest to the picture.  
    
    Focus on the nose, but then move the camera so that the head is not
    in the middle of the picture.  If you center the head in the picture,
    you end up with alot of "dead" space at the top of the picture.
    
    Try to add another point of interest in the picture.  A teddy bear,
    and interesting background, another person, and so on.  Take a good
    look through the view finder before you take the picture.  Do you
    really want that ugly car in the background?  Can you get a better
    angle?  Once you have composed the picture, then work on getting
    the child to smile (if a smile is what you want).  
    
    And finally, take the picture twice if it is something that you
    really want to come out well.  You have better odds that way.
    
    I find that I am pretty good composing a picture, but techinically,
    I still have alot of problems with lighting and red eye.  
    
    Karen

    I have found that using a tripod to hold the camera and then using a
    cable (the kind that depresses the button you push - I can't remember
    the name...) frees the parent to spend more time trying to make the
    child smile.  Some of my best photos are from different angles
    (standing above the highchair, or having the camera very low to the
    ground.)
    
    Nancy

    I'm still catching up, but here's a couple tips from the wife of a man
    who does some "studio" quality photos...
    
    The "point and shoot" style camera is fine, but it won't work with
    animals and childen.  Reason being the red eye shoots two flashes in
    quick succession, it is designed to get the pupil of the eye to
    constrict, and reduce the size of the pupil.  Young children and
    animals don't have the muscles to reduce the pupils in the short time
    span of the two flashes.  I do, though, like the nice idea of putting
    tissue over the flash.  
    
    As for angle, get down to the child's level.  I've taken my own 35mm
    pictures of my son literally laying on my belly on the floor. 
    Especially the "under the tree shots" which go in the cards at
    Christmas.
    
    We love doing the little kids, love to use props.  Some of our
    favorites were our 8 mo old nephew on a soft cushion with a stuffed
    "wrinkle puppy" (forget what breed it really is) first he's looking at
    it, then it falls over and he has this astonished look on his face. 
    Then we put him on this kid size white wicker chair.   It's part of a
    table and chairs set we picked up.  It also makes a cute "little girls
    having tea picture".  We've done the traditional baby on the belly,
    with a blanket draped over the head.  Real cute "peek a boo" shot.
    
    Something we've experimented with, and had great success with, is a
    totally black cloth background.  It really makes the subject stand out! 
    Just don't do what we did and put black sneakers on the kids! 
    
    Since my son is a natural born ham, he's a great test subject.  We;ve
    used hats, like his 101 dalmation hat, and a tiny stuffed dalmation
    with denim coveralls.  We take the black background and put it over a
    small crate which makes him look like he's sitting in mid air.
    
    As more of a "serious hobby", we just have a ball with this.  My
    husband shoots the "pofessional 120 format" but I've gotten some real
    nice results from my point and shoot 35mm.  FWIW, I take my film to
    BJ;s they do a 4 x 6 finish print, which is larger than most, they do
    next day return (in by noon today, back after 3 tomorrow type thing)
    and I've found the prices extremely good.  The Pro film is done only by
    a few labs in MA and takes about a week and a lot more $$ to process.
    
    My take on this,you can tell I like to brag about my son!
    
    Lyn
    (and AJ who is now 8.5)

    Lyn, you're comment about the black sneakers reminded me of some of the
    first pictures I tried to set up to take of Aaron.  I had some navy
    blue material and put that in his car seat (Aaron was less than 2 weeks
    old at the time), I put Aaron in his little dressy outfit and took 3 or
    so pictures (that's all he would tolerate at the time).
    
    The pictures came back and I realized that it wasn't a good idea to put
    him in his cute, dressy navy blue outfit!  There was this head and pair
    of hands just sort of floating in navy blue!
    
    sandy
    
    sandy

>    The "point and shoot" style camera is fine, but it won't work with
>    animals and childen.  Reason being the red eye shoots two flashes in
>    quick succession, it is designed to get the pupil of the eye to
>    constrict, and reduce the size of the pupil.  Young children and
>    animals don't have the muscles to reduce the pupils in the short time
>    span of the two flashes.

We've got a point-and-shoot camera whose red-eye mode flashes considerably
more than twice.

    Aaron gets red eye even though our point and shoot has a red-eye
    reduction mode that flashes 3 times.  We have so many pictures that
    would be adorable if he didn't look like a little demon with the
    red-eye!  What I'm doing now is trying to remember to either take
    pictures outside or with Aaron facing a window so the light will help
    the pupils restrict.  Otherwise, I'll just take a chance of having redeye
    in the picture
    
    I have some pictures of the back of Aaron's head with the reflection of 
    his face in a mirror and the reflection has redeye!
    
    sandy

    To reduce red eye in the youngsters (and animals too) just have them
    look slightly left or right of the camera.  One rule of thumb is you
    really don't want your subject looking at the lens anyway.  Also watch
    the feet, if they are directly in front of the subject, it makes the
    child look like he's ALL feet!  Just turn them slightly.
    
    Hubby said I shouldn't give away all our secrets, but let's face it
    with so many relatives living so far away, you've got to do you're best
    with the home shots!
    
    Not only do I encounter the red eye in the humans,but I have a half Siamese
    cat whose pupils are very red-brown looking.  He really looks like a cat
    from Satan when I take pictures of him.   I try to get him in a bright
    light for that reason, as well as when his eyes are constricted he has
    kept his beautiful blue eyey!
    
    Lyn
    

    Actually, the best way I've found to get great shots is by using a roll
    of film a week (at the very least every other week)!  I take two of
    each shot (if he stays still enough), sometimes more.  With a small
    one, like Aaron who's 6 months now, I can't really dictate where he
    looks "Aaron, look at papa, Aaron, _look_ at papa, Aaron, look _at_
    papa, AARONNnnn, why don't you look at the cat (tv, blank wall, what
    ever he's looking at...)"  I'm working on two photo albums right now,
    a little one that is almost full, that I bring to my office (if anyone
    is in ZKO1...) and a larger one that I'm using archival quality
    pockets to try to keep them safer for when Aaron grows up and (maybe)
    has children of his own.  Plus I have a shoe box full of not so great
    or downright awful pictures that won't go into albums, but I don't want
    to throw away because...well because it's kind of like doing something
    bad to a voodoo doll to me, I just can't throw out bad pictures because
    I feel like it would...something bad could happen...I'm just not
    sure.
    
    I've got great picture of him looking and smiling at a teddybear who's
    wearing one of his littler outfits, with a big book in it's lap,
    sitting in a rocking chair.  Aaron has a big "binky" smile (those of
    you with little ones who uses pacifier's know what I mean) like he's
    really enjoying the story.  Of course you can't see Steve who's jumping
    up and down on the other side of the chair trying to make Aaron smile! 
    
    There is one shot of Aaron with red eye that really works in the
    picture.  Aaron is in his bouncy chair, the cat is walking by, with the
    tail within reach, and of course Aaron is reaching, and has this little
    smile on his face with just a little redeye.  Looking at it you *know*
    how much he really wants to get that cat's tail.
    
    One thing I'm trying to remember is to take pictures without him having
    his pacifier, to make sure his chin is dry (no matter how often you
    wipe off that chin, it just gets all "drooly" again), make sure there's
    a lot of light, even though I want his face in focus the most, to lock
    the focus (I'm using a point and shoot) and move the camera so his
    entire body, or whatever I want in the picture, is in the shot.  I also
    have to be more careful about where I take the picture, for instance I
    don't want to show the messiest areas of my livingroom in the pictures!
    
    sandy
    So many things, such little minds!
    
    sandy

    Ha!  Sandy, I thought I was the only one who just "couldn't" throw
    out bad shots!  It just seems so cold!  I've only recently been
    able to throw out old shots from, like - high school, and stuff, and
    I don't even want to tell you how old they are!
    
    I use all the secondary shots, not the ones I like best, but not
    that bad either, to send to all those people in my life that always
    want pictures of Angeline.  The ones that I can't afford to send
    the professional pictures to.  You know.. her father's family ;->
    
    						cj *->

    When I have my film developed, I have duplicates made, then I have
    copies of the ones that I like best to send to family and friends.  If
    there aren't any that really cry out to have more copies made of, I'll
    just send the duplicate of the best couple to my mother and have the
    local family (my in-laws) choose who wants what of the rest of the
    duplicates, if there are some that more than one wants a copy of, I'll
    have copies made.  I've only thrown out a few really really bad
    pictures, and my husband was amazed!
    
    sandy

    My blue eyed daughter has few red eye shots, I think it is because of
    the way I get her attention. I focus the camera on her, then "pop up"
    from behind it to get her to smile, usually I pop to the side, this
    get her to look away from the lens and avoids the red eye. People
    remark at how happy she looks in all the pictures, it's the peek-a-boo
    affect. 

    Gail

    
    Throw out pictures?!?!?  Is that LEGAL??  (-;  I just hide them ....
    
    On a more serious note - for those who would be lost without their
    photos, you may want to consider making/getting entire duplicates of
    your favorite photo album and/or shots.  They SAY that one of the most
    traumatic things about fire is losing all your photos.  My boyfriend's
    house burnt to the ground when he was ~19, and there's only a small
    handful of shots that relatives had, from when they were kids.  All the
    "family photos" and albums were destroyed in the fire.  )-:
    
    

    Wow, not only do I get double copies for every roll I develop (it's
    only a little more expensive), but I have copies made of almost all of
    my favorite shots for my in-laws and parents!  Aaron's really going to
    be annoyed when his aunts/uncles pull out the bare bottomed shots or
    the shot where he's managed to get his graham cracker not in his mouth
    but on his cheek, nose...
    
    I thought everyone did this!
    
    sandy

    .45 reminded me of something.  You can purchase negative holders 
    at camera supply stores that fit in 3 ring binders.  They're made out
    of some sort of special plastic.  Anyway, I use these and keep them in
    a safe deposit box at the bank.  It sounds kind of weird, but as .45
    said pictures are one thing that cannot be replaced after a fire.  I'll
    at least still have the negatives if that should ever happen.
    Lila
    

    I second the safety box for negatives.
    
    Also, I came up with an idea this weekend for the "not as good as the
    others" photos.  Actually, Angeline helped think it up.  I have a
    small book of photos of her I'm sending to my brother.  Well, my little
    cherub just LOVES pictures of herself and we fought like heck while I
    got the book together.   Hence, my idea!  I'm putting together another
    book just for her to play with.  She loves just flipping through the
    pages, but gets a little rough.   I won't mind if she winds up wrecking
    the ones in her book if they are the secondary shots.   
    
    						cj *->