Where should the line be drawn with child photographs?

[K9Kirk]

I think that you have some very good photos, I think that you should rely on your judgment and feelings like someone else said If it makes you or your partner worried then stop,

Thanks... I wasn't worried until someone said child services lol

That's funny in a sense but seriously, if someone from child services even thought they saw a bruise or anything they could deem as suspicious in just a pic (other than thinking a nude pic alone is child abuse) no telling what they might do to either protect a child or simply help with their own job security. Sometimes people have ulterior motives.

 

[The_Traveler]

The more we give in to the intolerant Puritans, the more they will encroach.

 

[pocketshaver]

There really isn't any issue here with the photos in question.

Since we all like taking photos here, have any of you heard of Jock Sturges? <Deleted by Moderator>

 

[vintagesnaps]

I think you might need to consider whether to use photos of your own child/children as your professional work because if you use those for marketing your business it could create different expectations or perceptions than photos for your own or family use.

To me her hair style makes her look like she could almost be a preschooler, athough her body looks like a toddler. So she's getting to the age that it might be better taking photos in diapers, shorts/swimsuit bottoms, etc. playing in the backyard wading pool in the summer, or even in posed photos, for personal use or for family & friends and consider whether those should be part of your professional portfolio. I'd say with cake smashes consider the age, that the child is obviously still a baby, or try to figure out how to photograph without the chest in view if the child is older (unless the photos will be provided to the family thru a password protected site for only them).

I think you said you were doing baby photography and I'd be more concerned about following other baby photographers because there are many that show what seem to be inappropriate positions. Some seem to get close to potentially compromising breathing. Make sure a newborn's head, neck and trunk are aligned and the chin is up, not down on the chest; floor time would be better than beanbags, etc.

I'd say too after 20+ years of being an EI Specialist, plan on getting what you need/want to get done in a short amount of time. If doing an eval I'd plan on assessing skills in that 15-20 min. window of opportunity when the baby would be alert, which took having toys and materials ready/prepared. I can't see putting families thru lengthy photo sessions that some photographers seem to be doing.

I've seen what would give me concerns about the amount of time involved and the positioning being used rather than whether or not a toddler has a shirt on, but maybe rethink how you're using photos of children that are made publicly viewable.