Every parent will tell you—babies change at lightning speed. Don’t miss a single milestone, from their first breath to their first steps... learn to photograph these precious, albeit challenging, subjects. From prepping for your shoots to choosing the perfect settings, it’s time to dive into the world of baby photography.

Some pointers on photographing baby

• Lighting: always opt for natural lighting, as a flash will only harden your baby’s features. If you’re lacking light, use a reflector (like a white sheet of paper) to bask your subject in softer light, turn your flash outwards or shine a light towards the ceiling or wall. Don’t forget to adjust your camera’s white balance to avoid unflattering lighting.
• Focus on the eyes: make your baby’s eyes the focal point of the picture. Ideally, you should crouch or lie down so as to be eye-level with your subject and avoid taking shots from above—such shots tend to “squish” little ones into a frame.
• Get rid of distractions: with a shallow depth of field, you’ll be able to blur the background that can sometimes draw too much unwanted attention.
• Is baby squirming? Set your compact camera to sports mode. If you’re using an SLR or hybrid camera, set it to shutter speed priority mode (S or Tv). This will allow you to either freeze-frame baby or capture every movement.
• Shoot away! Use your camera’s burst mode and take a succession of beautiful photos—never miss another smile or emotion. 
• Zoom in! Set your zoom to mid-range before getting closer to your subject. Don’t use a wide-angle, as it will only distort your baby’s facial features.