Of all the many different situations a photographer may encounter, shooting baby portraits may be the most difficult.
Even if you are not a professional photographer, but are just trying to shoot some cute portraits of your own child, getting the child to cooperate can be a difficult task.
Here are a few tips to getting the perfect baby photos.

• First, as a baby photographer you need to accept that the child is in charge of the shoot.
  Your shoot should be built around the mood of the child, which may change in a matter of seconds.
  You need a few tricks to assure that you can get the child in the smiling playful mood that will lead to those shots of a lifetime.
  
• It may be best to consider doing the shoot at the child's home.
  Babies react well to the surroundings they are comfortable in.
  With a shoot in the home the baby can be well rested and fed, without the chance of getting in a foul mood coming to the studio.
  
• Babies are in a better mood and respond better when they are well fed and rested.
  These things can be accomplished prior to your arrival by mom and dad.
  Scheduling the shoot at home with a well rested and fed baby gives you a much better chance of getting a smile that will make the photo of a lifetime for the parents.
  
• Another advantage of scheduling the shoot at the home is that the parents can advise you of the usual times when the baby is at the best.
  The photographer can actually arrive during nap time, and get set up and ready for when the child awakens.
  
• Remember that children respond better to people they know.
  Spend some time playing with the child and building trust with the child.
  This makes it easier to elicit a smile when shooting.
  Also be aware of how you introduce the camera to the scene.
  The camera can become an object of fear, or looked upon as a toy by the child.
  
• Smaller is better.
  Think of portability for this kind of shoot.
  You need a light package that moves easily, and doesn't frighten the child.
  Digital is better for this kind of shoot because you can take lots of photos without having to stop and reload film.
  Just be sure the camera has a high resolution so that the photos look great when transferred to prints.
  
• Try and get backdrops or the background set up when you arrive.
  This way the child will have time to get familiar with any new things in the surroundings.
  Let the child begin to play in the area.
  Comfort is key.
  Pretty soon the flashes and clicking from the camera will not even be noticeable to the child.
  
• Finally, the best shots capture the child laughing.
  Try to encourage play and fun so the child will have the opportunity to laugh.
  Get down at the same level with the child so the photo has the same perspective.
  You don't want to be standing over the child shooting down on him.
  

Shooting children as a photographer can be challenging.
However, with a little patience and planning, you can get the shots that the parents will cherish for a lifetime.
Isn't that what you got into this business for in the first place?