Ideas for a One Year Baby Picture

Formal

• The formal route puts your child into a "Sunday best" outfit before taking her to get her one-year snapshots. Parents who want to keep it formal should consider a nice dress for girls or a handsome suit for boys. Ribbons, headbands or barrettes make a nice addition to a little girl's hair. Check your portrait studio's background selection and choose something with an air of sophistication, like dark or solid colors.

Informal

• An informal picture cooperates for you when your little one doesn't. Informal pictures give you a little more "wiggle room" when getting those precious first-year photos. Instead of a formal or "fussy" outfit, put your child into something comfortable. Informal pictures let you choose from fun or whimsical backgrounds that formal pictures would rule out. Consider using a background with balloons in it to convey that it is the baby's first birthday. Poses for informal pictures are also more relaxed. She might lay down with her head propped up by her hands as opposed to sitting nicely with her hands in her lap.

Props

• Props are a necessary addition to photographs involving children. A favorite toy might help him relax if he's nervous around the bright lights and strange people. Most portrait studios keep props on hand if your child doesn't have a special toy. Incorporate some of the props into your photos. Give your child a farmhouse background and let him sit inside of a steel tub for the photo. Or have him sit in a pint-sized wing chair while holding a favorite book. Talk to your portrait place before bringing your child to identify what backgrounds and props they have available.

Do It Yourself

• Sometimes the stress of a portrait studio is just too much for a 1 year old. If you want to take your baby's first-year portrait, it's possible to get a keepsake picture. Incorporate things that convey your child is 1. Use a birthday cake with one candle or take a picture of her among her birthday presents. Keep it relaxed and get down on her level if you need to. Don't force a smile, sometimes the best photos are the "unscripted" ones.