Pictures of your kids are one thing you can't put a price on. If there is ever a fire or flood that forces you to evacuate your home, the albums will be what you will take with you. Getting really good photos can be difficult. Professional photographers are pricey, and not all families have the money to spare for a formal portrait. You can take great photos yourself though if you take advice from children photography studios Philadelphia families have used in the past.

You have to carve out an hour at least for your photo shoot. If you're working with a group of kids, it might take a couple of hours to get everybody together. Kids take a lot longer than adults to settle down and get serious about their session. In the meantime, you should be snapping quick shots of them milling around. Spontaneous photos are often the best pictures taken of children.

It is a huge temptation to dress your little models up in ribbons, bows, and brand new shoes for a photo shoot, but the experts say you might be better off dressing your kids in something they are comfortable in and that is familiar to them. Solid colors work better than patterns. If you're taking pictures of several children, try dressing them in similar outfits. Uniform white shirts and jeans, for example, will give you better results than too much individuality.

The right props can add a lot to the value of your photos. Props that have some meaning for you and your child will create great visual memories. A favorite book, stuffed animal, or special doll will help your little one relax and may get them to smile in a way nothing else would.

Years later you will both smile again as you share the family album and remember that special toy. Avoid toys that roll or can move out of the frame though. Kids will be after those toys and out of your control in an instant.

Forget your preconceived notions about what portraits are supposed to look like. When you are dealing with little ones, you never know what will happen. Meltdowns can come out of the blue. If your child is tearful, try focusing the camera on her bare toes or fingers while you soothe her. If she is restless, let her roam the room or yard and take some candid shots of her just being herself.

Give some thought to the setting you put your kids in. A blank background is always good because there is nothing to distract from the subject of the photograph. There are simple elements you might add that can create interesting effects. A group of kids standing on a stairway is an example.

Windows can make great backdrops. You might position the child directly in front of a window or beside it. If it gets morning or afternoon light, you will have interesting shadow effects you can play with. Your goal as the photographer is to catch the essence of your child's personality in a way that is natural and spontaneous.