shutterbug

That baby ought to be in pictures — lots of pictures! Baby's first day will seem like a blur to everyone involved in the lil one's birth. For some moms, it takes looking back at photos of the day to actually recall some of the events. Before handing your camera over to a friend or relative who's promised to capture it all, make a list of the pictures you want to ensure they are recorded before everyone falls off to sleep. Here are our top 10 must-take photos on baby's first day.

Charge up the battery, because there are few better occasions to dust off your good camera than Mother's Day. Whether it's Mama's first time or she's a veteran, there are plenty of photos to be taken on Sunday. From classic pictures like Mom and kids to more modern ideas like Mom engaging in her favorite hobby, we've rounded up our must-take moments to capture! Click through, and get ready to play photographer for the day!

Baby's here — now capture all the details of the day before you forget them! Though a delivering mama doesn't need another thing to worry about, ensuring that her lil one's arrival is photographed is often at the top on her list. I asked mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography (no relation), to provide us with her best hospital photography tips. She said:

"My husband, Ryan, was able to capture these special moments for us, but he warns of the challenge, 'Playing the role of photographer, husband, father, and in some cases, new father can present huge challenges while trying to capture lasting images of some of the most important moments of your life. Understand that while your emotions will be up and down like a roller coaster, you can still capture those precious moments. In my case, there were times I couldn't even see through the viewfinder due to the swelling of tears, but in between all of the excitement and chaos, you can click away. It is important that the photos not necessarily be perfect, but that they capture your viewpoint of seeing your baby for the first time.' If you are able to hire a professional, do so, because the two of you will be able to [better] focus on your new arrival."

Keep reading for her 10 must-take photo ops in the hospital.

The bond between twins is truly one of a kind, and there's a lot of pressure for new moms to capture that special interaction between their babies for posterity. Whether you've scheduled a photo shoot with a professional, or are just hoping to maximize your iPhone's camera settings, we've rounded up some of the sweetest twin photo ideas out there, along with some expert advice from the pros. Now smile for the camera . . . both of you!

Your precious baby deserves to be photographed — often! Like most mamas, we always seem to have our camera ready to capture special moments, but what about documenting your baby in everyday situations? Sometimes we need a little inspiration to get us going. So we've pulled together 21 of our favorite ideas for photographing your lil one. Time to get snapping!

If you're not already bombarded by a mailbox filled with holiday cards, it's only a matter of time before the onslaught begins. If you're looking for a fun way to change things up — or if you've decided to forgo the holiday card altogether this year — an end-of-year photo montage video is the way to go. Rather than selecting one picture to share with family and friends, you can share an entire year — all in a condensed time frame. From a 30-second curated selection of your Facebook photos to lengthier, more produced videos, check out four free services that do virtually all of the work for you in a matter of minutes. Then sit back, relax, and wait for the accolades to come your way!

The holidays are all about family and tradition, and there are few traditions as universal as taking family photos. Whether trying to capture that perfect picture for your holiday card or documenting the actual holiday, there are few things that moms (and grandmas) want more than a great picture of their kids.

With that in mind, we turned to Milwaukee-based photographer Heather Cook Elliott (you may remember her from her daughter's adorable globe-trotting nursery and her election-inspired first birthday party). Heather says that we are too caught up in getting the perfect picture. "I'm a professional photographer specializing in capturing people in love — in love with each other, in love with their children, in love with their dogs, cooking, life in general. But still, soon after my 14-month-old daughter was born, I realized why it is so hard to take great photos of your own children and families, professional or not. We are obsessed with perfection and perfect people smiling perfectly in perfectly lit photos."

Heather goes on to say that we need to stop trying for the perfect snapshot, but instead go for a great photograph. She says, "Great photographs are records of their subjects. They capture a moment in time, a feeling, a relationship, and ultimately, great photographs are about authenticity." Check out her 10 tips for taking more authentic holiday photos.

If you're anything like us, since you've had kids, you rarely put your camera down! While it's fun to simply snap away, I turned to mom and photographer Jennifer Little, founder of Fort Collins, CO-based Sugar Photography, to see what she considers to be the essential photos to take of her kids each month, ultimately creating a chronicle of her lil ones' growth. Keep reading to see what she includes on her list!

Fall is in the air, which means there are mounds of colorful leaves everywhere just waiting for your lil one to enjoy. Capture the moment with leaf-filled pictures that celebrate the crisp season. You don't need to be a professional to get these shots — it just takes a little prep work, patience, and lots and lots of Fall leaves. When shooting outdoors, opt for dappled light instead of direct sunlight or dark shade. And early mornings and late afternoons offer the best light for glowing Autumn pics. Click through for a collection of leaf pictures you need to get with your kids this Fall.

Source: Flickr user Seth Lemmons

Ever see a friend's photo of siblings hugging each other lovingly and think to yourself, "My kids never break from tearing each other's hair out long enough to smile for a picture." Yeah, me too. And that's where the answer to beautiful sibling photography resides. You don't need a picture of both tots smiling in order to convey the loving relationship between siblings. Rather, you need the right atmosphere to make their true personalities shine.

Photographer and mom Jennifer Little, founder of Sugar Photography in Fort Collins, CO, recently shared some of her favorite pictures of brothers and sisters with us, and through those images, we've gleaned 11 tips to help fellow parents get better pictures of their kids together (without having to Photoshop a smiling face over a crying one).

All photos courtesy of Jennifer Little | Sugar Photography