When She’s Expecting

Ever notice how people fawn over a woman that is pregnant with child? Few subjects compare with an expectant mother, all radiant and smiling, her tummy round with the promise of new life. Capturing the nine months prior to the baby’s birth is a rewarding experience for the parents and an event to share with the child when he or she grows up. It’s best to make sure you get all the right shots. There are lots of stories to tell during this time: a father with his ear pressed against the mother’s tummy, the mother reading a fairy tale to a child yet to be born, the expectant couple (plus one) strolling hand-in-hand down a garden path, that defining moment when the couple sees the first ultrasound reading. So many special moments to capture so better be prepared.

Using Natural Light

Try to shoot under concealed rather than harsh fluorescent lighting whenever you can. You may be too busy to notice shadows while you’re shooting, but you’ll definitely be jarred by them when you watch your videos.

A mother’s complexion deserves the best lighting possible: natural light. Using the sun as your primary light source produces great skin tone while properly illuminating your scene. The quality of sunlight differs greatly over the course of a day and due to various conditions, such as weather. The best time, in general, is when sunlight is diffused, by clouds perhaps. Lighting is even and shadows are kept to a minimum, the ideal conditions for shooting video.

Using a Tripod

Tripod with Remote VCT-60AV

When you want to create an intimate portrait of a family-to-be, it’s better to keep your shots very steady. A handheld journalistic effect might not be the best treatment for this type of shot. You want the camera to be rock-solid and a tripod proves very useful. For the most part, let your subjects do the moving, panning only when necessary. Use the tripod’s control lever to keep your movements smooth.

Expert Advice: Practice A Lot! With the HDR-SR12 Hard Disk Drive HD Handycam®, you have the power to shoot more. Much more, in fact. The massive 120GB storage capacity translates into 14 hours of full high-definition video recording enjoyment. Expert Advice: Practice A Lot! The moral of the story: Don’t be too discerning - take as much footage as you can. Capture every moment – the bad, the good, and even the ugly – you can edit or discard unsavoury bits later, and it’s been proven that people usually find something they like when they take a second look at things. Above all, remember: you can’t turn back time.

TIP: There will be times when you need to shoot with added light, for example at an evening garden party or outdoor performance. Packing a Sony video light will ensure that you’re prepared for any occasion. A wide range is available – either light only, in combination with photo flashes, or even infrared lights for use with the inbuilt Nightshot capability.