Picture Perfect: 8 Tips for Great Baby and Child Photos

When scheduling a professional portrait session for a child, consider your child's nap times and down times. "There are three times to photograph children: morning, morning and morning," laughs Bob Horton of Creative Image Associates in Newark, Delaware. Horton, who's been photographing children for 25 years, explains that while little ones can be photographed later in the day, it is much more difficult to capture good expressions with tired tots, especially in an unfamiliar place like a portrait studio. While it's not a guarantee that your baby or child will be happy in the morning, it's more likely that you'll capture that sweet smile.

At home, grab the camera when your baby is sleeping. "Consider it an opportune time to take photographs," says Megan Steffen, a professional photographer in San Francisco, California. "They are at their most peaceful and that will be conveyed in the picture."