1Yr old Birthday Shoot

[crazydadguy]

Hey all, I have been requested to shoot a 1 year old's first party and was wondering if anyone had any good tips or pointers, things to look for, etc. to make it turn out good. Any personal experience to share? Just looking for some ideas so I know what I am getting myself into. Thanks!:thumbsup2

[rtphokie]

Hey all, I have been requested to shoot a 1 year old's first party and was wondering if anyone had any good tips or pointers, things to look for, etc. to make it turn out good. Any personal experience to share? Just looking for some ideas so I know what I am getting myself into. Thanks!:thumbsup2

Get lots of shots of the birthday child and their birthday cake. Let 'em smear it all over themselves, the high chair, etc. The progression of the smiling happy child from clean, to completely covered in cake is great.

I've got a frame with 4 shots of son like this from his 1st birthday party and it's one of our favorite photos.

[Suburbanmom]

Get low. You want to get good facial expressions, not the top of his/her head. :) To get smiles, have mom stand right behind you. Baby will give her genuine smiles before (s)he gives them to you.

[Experiment_626]

If you can post samples of what you get, I'd love to see them. My own little bundle of joy (he's the apple of his daddy's eye, no question) turns a year old in just over a month, and I'd love photo ideas.

Wow! How time flies ... seems like only yesterday he was almost small enough to fit in my two hands, and now he'll likely be walking by the time his birthday rolls around ...

[photo_chick]

Don't forget to get a few of the reactions of the party when the kiddo eats the cake. Those are almost as good as the munchkin.

Beware of cake smeared hands coming fast at your lens!

[pgowder]

Get low. You want to get good facial expressions, not the top of his/her head. :) To get smiles, have mom stand right behind you. Baby will give her genuine smiles before (s)he gives them to you.

Second that! Spend time on the floor with the child!

Here are s few I did at a 1 year old party.
http://www.gowderphotography.com/?page_id=61&album=1&gallery=9

Before the party we did a few of him with a cake.

http://www.gowderphotography.com/wp-content/gallery/portraits/2.jpg

[crazydadguy]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!!

[C&B Young]

If you've got a longer zoom lens, use it. It'll allow you to capture great candids without being right in the subjects' faces. It's especially hard to get natural shots of kids when they know they're having their picture taken.