the kids to really smile. Instead of making them say "cheese," try to get a genuine smile by saying
a funny word or doing something goofy.
Get on the level. If the little
one is only 3 feet off the floor, move the shot down so that you are at her
Fill the frame with the family.
Try to get rid of all the empty space around the family.
Take notice of what’s in the frame.
Dirty dishes, cardboard boxes and other unsightly objects need to be out
of the shot. Include Christmas lights, snow coming down in the window and
Accept human imperfections.
Band-Aids, bruises and other flaws will make the photo memorable and real.
Choose comfortable clothes. Dress
clothes can look special but if the kids are scowling in their itchy wool
sweaters, consider alternatives. The matching pajama shot is a comfortable
and adorable look for the entire family.
Take a lot of pictures! Take as
many photos as you can to increase your chances of getting a shot with
everyone looking good.
Find the right lighting. Typically,
natural light is the best indoors. If you are trying to catch snowflakes
falling, use the flash. Experiment with candlelight and Christmas lights
beforehand. 400 speed film is better for low-light situations when you are
trying to get Christmas lights or candles in the shot.
Be prepared. Charge the batteries,
bring your charger and make sure there is plenty of room on the memory
card (or carry an extra roll of film). Bring the tripod if available.
Get the pets in the shot. The
furry friends will make the kids feel more at ease and make the picture
Juju Bands protect your child's healing umbilical cord and
can help calm the most finicky babies. By protecting the belly button as it
heals, you can prevent irritation and reduce the likelihood of infection. The
cute belly bindings can be worn up until the age of three months, allowing your child
to feel secure even when they're not being held.
In honor of the holiday season, we want to hear your best
tips for traveling with a baby. Send your tips to email@example.com. The
person who sends us the most helpful tip will receive the gift set.
All the best responses will be published in a future blog post to help other
parents of babies have good travel experiences this holiday season. All
submissions must be sent before December 14th, 2011.
Meals and snacks during pregnancy can seem complicated
because there are so many things that you should avoid consuming for the health of your
baby. In general, any type of food or drink that can harbor illness-inducing bacteria should be avoided. However, substances that can cause contractions and some items that seem safe can cause adverse reactions in your developing baby. Here is your quick guide of what not to consume during pregnancy:
cheeses - Brie, goat cheese, Camembert, feta, blue, Roquefort, Gorgonzola,
queso blanco, queso fresco and other Mexican-style cheeses. If non-imported
cheese is pasteurized it is safe to eat. Cream cheese and cottage cheese
meats. Cold cuts, sausages and hot dogs should be cooked until steaming.
meats (Cook meats medium-medium well). The juice from the meats should run
clear. Use a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked
to the correct temperature. Avoid raw poultry that has been stuffed,
unless you buy it frozen and cook from its frozen state.
eggs (including runny eggs). Raw eggs can show up in Caesar salad
dressing, cookie dough, cake batter, un-pasteurized eggnog, homemade ice
cream, mayonnaise, custards, and Hollandaise sauces. Restaurants are
supposed to use pasteurized eggs for sauces, dressings and desserts but
you might want to ask before ordering.
like alfalfa, radish, clover and mung bean.
milk or juice.
seafood like lox, nova style, kippered or jerky. Canned or jarred smoked
seafood that is shelf-safe is usually safe right out of the container. If
smoked seafood is a cooked ingredient it is safe for consumption.
shellfish like oysters, clams, or mussels. Cook shellfish until their
fish. Fish should be cooked until it is flaky and opaque throughout.
Shrimp, lobster and scallops should be cooked until t