I love how the collages turned out, but I also learned a few things along the way that would have improved my images. I've compiled what I learned into a few tips that may help other parents as they embark on a similar project:
1. Pick an outfit that is easy to find in sizes 0 - 12 months. Also, pick accessories wisely. It's tempting to start with an adorable bow or headband, but remember that older babies who know how to control their arms love to take these things off as soon as you put them on.
2. Pick one pose. It takes a bit of patience to get the camera angle, lighting, and props set up just right and then take a picture with baby looking at the camera before baby begins disassembling things or squirms into an awkward position, especially as baby gets older and can crawl, pull up, and even walk. Why do this to yourself with multiple poses? Picking one pose will allow you to focus all your energy on getting that one picture just right. I believe I would have better quality pictures if I had picked just one pose (I did five different pictures for some insane reason!).
3. Pick a picture set up that is relatively easy to replicate. The picture of Katy lying down was so easy to replicate because all I had to do was move her changing pad to the dining table and lay the same blanket over it. The picture in the rocker, on the other hand, required positioning the rocker at just the right angle, making sure curtains were drawn just right, and clearing out nearby clutter I did not want in the picture.
4. Pick a picture set up that is safe. What is safe at one month, when baby is immobile, is not necessarily safe at one year, when baby can roll over, crawl, pull up, and walk. I regretted using my dining table instead of the floor for the picture of Katy lying down. Once Katy was confident with her mobility skills, it was a little scary to leave her lying on a narrow table while I stood over her to take pictures. The same goes for the pictures in the rocker A chair low to the floor or a chair that does not rock is preferable when baby is older and able to lunge forward unexpectedly or pull up into a standing position with ease.
5. A prop adds perspective. In my pictures, the changing pad and the rocker remain constant in size, allowing the viewer to measure Katy's monthly growth by comparing her size each month to the rocker and the changing pad. The size of the prop, however, is something important to consider. Another picture I took each month was Katy lying down in the seat cushion of her rocker. It was my favorite pose at the start of the project but didn't work in the end because Katy outgrew the seat. I also took a monthly picture with a pink teddy bear. The smaller size of the teddy bear gave great perspective but by six months, Katy constantly played with it. I ended up with pictures of Katy on top of, behind, eating, holding, or falling on the teddy bear. It sounds cute, but it actually made taking a decent picture difficult.
6. Pick a camera angle that is relatively easy to replicate. Again, the angle in the pictures of Katy lying down was fairly easy replicate because I just stood over her and centered her in the picture. Variations in angle were fairly minor. The angle in the picture with the rocker, on the other hand, was much harder to replicate, and it shows.
7. Consider when during each month you will take your picture. Taking the picture at the beginning of each month allows to you take the last picture on or around the first birthday, which means you can share the final collage in celebration of baby's birthday. I was so excited to display Katy's monthly pictures on our TV during Katy's first birthday party. Taking the picture at the end of the month, however, means that the final picture will be taken almost a month after the first birthday.
8. Stickers are optional. You don't need the monthly anniversary stickers because you can add the month as text during editing or as captions when you share your pictures, or not at all. When combined in a collage with a simple title, it's pretty clear that picture number six was taken at six months of age. If you like the stickers and want to use them, they are sometimes a distraction when baby is older. By six months, Katy pulled at the sticker, stared down at the sticker, and moved so much that she often covered the sticker in her pictures.
9. Some variation is good. Variations in poses show off baby's development and personality and make the pictures fun to look at in combination. The same goes for slight variations in lighting and camera angle.
10. Be persistent and patient. Take a break and return to picture taking later during the day if baby just isn't cooperating. When baby is in a good mood, stick with taking pictures until you get one you really like. You'll be glad you put in the extra minutes in the end.
11. Editing is your friend. My editing was limited to cropping and playing with lighting and contrast a bit, but even this limited editing made a big difference in uniformity. If you are good with editing software, your pictures will look even more uniform.
These tips require a little forethought and may even require a practice shoot of different set-ups without baby. You'll be glad you did the prep work, however, because it will make the project easier to complete and the end result better. I can't wait for baby number two so that I can implement these tips and see how much the project improves!
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