For an infant "headshot", is it required that the kid be smiling? I have a 3.5 month old who I'm considering getting into the biz, and while she's a happy baby who smiles pretty easily, I honestly think she's cuter when she's not smiling. Any thoughts on the following photos, whether any of them will work or whether I should go back and take more? (These were the best from about 50 or 60 snaps).

Also, should I photoshop out as much of the birthmarks by her forehead and eyes that I can, or just leave it all there? I'm not very good at it and am worried about ending up with something either messy or fake.

(Natural window light with a D700 and 50mm prime @ f/1.4)

Who, me?
What the heck?
Smiling

I do not think they need to be smiling at that age. I don't think the birthmarks should be removed either, you want the photo to look like the child as much as possible.

I have a 2 month old and a 2 year old that both work and go out for things. You want the photos to look exactly like them so do not airbrush out anything! Besides sometimes those little quirks like a freckle or crooked tooth are exactly what make it for a little baby/kid to get booked! If she has birthmarks that's what she looks like and keep it. As she is only 3 months old those will probably fade and as you update your photos will work itself out. You can send a smiling and not smiling to your agent and they can choose which one to submit. My little guy even has a sleeping photo on file so if they want sleepy baby they can see that too Keep your photos updated with your agent as much as possible. I send every few weeks for my newborn and every 3 months or so with my big guy. Kids change so fast and grow so fast that you need to have their photos and measurements always current. Also if I may make a suggestion there seems to be some "blur" around your little one in those photos. I would take that effect off. Just a nice crisp in focus clear shot is great. She's a cutie pie. Best of luck! Have fun with it, when they are that little they tend to either be what they want or not and there's not much to do other than submitting them or going to the go sees. They go in and either get picked or not. Also not sure what market you are in or looking to do specifically, but if you are looking film and TV in LA or NYC at that age they will usually try to book twins or triplets so that they have option if one is cranky. We work in Midwest (relocated from LA) and even then with the little babies on commercials or print jobs sometimes they will book 2 or 3 for the day and then pick whoever's in a good mood that day. Just a heads up

PS There's an in color shot with her pursing her lips on your account there that is I think a great baby shot!

Thanks for the feedback. The "blur", by the way, is an effect of the lens and camera settings I'm using (very shallow depth-of-field) and not something I added to the picture in Photoshop. If this is a no-no in head shots, someone please let me know. I believe the eyes are in-focus, which is what matters most.

Regarding the pursed-lips shot, I was kind of having fun one day, and wasn't trying to take a headshot specifically. What do others think about the headshot potential of this one?

Pursed Lips

Any of the pro photogs care to weigh in? Is the bokeh OK, or should I use a larger # f-stop?

Hi Tall,
I think you should use a larger f-stop, but I also think the background is really close to her skin tone so it all looks very neutral and a little bland to me. She is so cute, but overall the photo doesn't look warm or pop. I think you should play around more with a different outfit (not so busy stripes) and different background,
Hope that helps
Joanna
www.joannabrooks.com
Headshots LA

Your baby is adorable!!!