P#10: A Heartwarming Image of a Newborn Smile

Perfect Timing

Carrie Sandoval: One of my all-time favorite photographs is this family portrait where everybody is smiling -- even the newborn.

It is such a rare moment to capture a newborn's smile.

Newborns don't usually start smiling until they're about seven weeks old. To capture a smile like that (and he held it long enough where I said, "Okay, parents! Smile!") is such a rare thing. It was just magical that all three of them were smiling at the same time. (click the image for a larger version)

Audri Lanford: That's great!

Do you want to talk a little about how you did this particular one? It looks like you came in pretty close here.

Carrie Sandoval: Yes. It's pretty much an in-camera crop. Back to what I had said earlier -- I just told the mother to hold the baby however she was comfortable. I arranged myself. I moved back and forth to see where I could get the most important parts in focus while still having everyone in there. I like how Dad's peeking through on the back.

Audri Lanford: That's great! It's really beautiful. It looks like he's wearing something dark. That gives a little bit more contrast to it, which is really nice. Very magical.

In Summary

It seems that the perfect photo isn't always about timing, equipment or talent. Sometimes it's luck. A newborn smile is rare -- a smile that lasts long enough for a family portrait to be captured is absolutely amazing.