How to Get Free Professional Baby Pictures

All parents want those adorable baby pictures to show for years to come. They usually have them taken at 3, 6 and 9 months but this gets expensive quickly. Getting free professional pictures is the way to go, but you have to know where to find them.

Instructions

1. Go to a college. Photography students always need subjects and your baby can be practice. You'll get good, quality photos for free, although it might be nice to give the student something for her trouble.

2. Win a contest. Most studios will occasionally host a contest and give away free photos to the winners. Enter the contest, win and you have free photos.

3. Check online. If you have a studio in mind, check its website. Sometimes studios offer online coupons for free photos.

4. Look for first-time offers. Studios will often offer a free group of pictures to get you in the door. You'll likely get one pose and a set number of pictures.

5. Buy a package. Most portrait studios offer free photos when you buy a package. You'll get more photos this way, too.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're not having any luck finding free professional photos try taking your own. Just lay out a plain backdrop and maybe some pillows (depending on the baby's age). You'll also need a helper to keep the baby balanced. Get everything ready and start snapping.

• Be wary of the first-time offers of a free package. It's usually on one pose only but the studio will take more. These additional photos will be adorable and difficult to resist. Buy them and you'll end up paying for the baby pictures and possibly a sitting fee too.