Photo Tips
Camera Setting: The camera MUST be set to the very highest setting BEFORE you take your picture, in order
to provide the quality of picture we can use. The pixels should be close to 1600X800 (1200X680 only if a
very good picture). The quality setting for photos should be in your menu section of your camera.
FOCUS: Pick a focal part on the face, probably lips or eyes, and make sure the camera is sharply focused on this part of the face. We cannot fix an unfocused picture. To get a nice picture of the baby's face, please stand back a few feet, zoom in and focas.Be sure to leave some space around the baby's head. We will notify you if the picture is not suitable so you can send another one.
LIGHTING: Not only is lighting a critical point to be able to achieve a sharp focus, but without proper lighting, your image will be grainy. Strong natural light is the very best, however, if you are inside ,you will more than likely need to use a flash in order the get a sharply focused well-lit image. Because you need a flash, a sleeping baby will be easier to achieve your goal image.
BACKGROUND: Try to make sure that the backdrop is not a busy or dark pattern. Light back drop and lighter
clothing are best (does not need to be white, just light). Try draping a light colored blanket over the couch or if baby is on the bed, place a pillow behind and drape the blanket over the pillow, creating a light backdrop. Your baby will stand out much better with light colors surrounding him/her.
AWAKE OR ASLEEP?: Usually the very best result is a sleeping baby, often with a newborn baby's eyes, and a flash, there will be a lot of light reflection on the eyes, and often with a flash, your baby's response will be to close his or her eyes, or to startle. A sleeping baby usually means a still baby and you can get a close up, sharply focused picture of the baby's facial features. This is the goal. A baby's face is usually more relaxed and natural when they are sleeping, and will be a better interpretation of what your baby looks like. We do highly recommend images of a sleeping baby.
SENDING YOUR PHOTO: Please send your RAW image, this means send the image directly from your camera, without any editing or re-sizing, which generally means you can by-pass your photo software. Your best result is to download the image from your camera, to your desktop and then attach that image to your email and send. If your picture is not on your camera and already in a file in your image software, just make sure you are selecting the options that ensure you send the original size image. WE WILL CONVERT to black and white.