How To Take A Good Photo, International Adoption Clinic at the University of Minnesota

A NOTE ABOUT TECHNOLOGY:
The question of technical compatibility between U.S. cords and plugs and what you will find when you get to the orphanage. In general, in big cities of Eastern European countries there will be wireless access, so if you bring your own laptop you should be able to access it. You will need to get a wireless card for a specific phone provider OR will need to stay in hotel with wireless. The hotel will have the same plugs that we have here in the U.S.  However, the easiest way to go is to find an internet cafe or to use your coordinator's or the orphanage's services. You should also talk with your agency or with other families who have gone to the same orphanage to find out what they were able to do.

1.  Place a round color-coding label sticker*on the child’s forehead, just above the nose and as close to in-between the eyes as possible.  This gives the doctor an objective frame of reference with which to judge the size and distance between facial features.

2.  Take two close-up photos of the child’s face: one with the child looking directly into the camera, and another from a 45º angle.  This is so that the photo shows the placement and shape of the nose, mouth, and ears.  The child’s mouth needs to be closed and they should not be smiling.  For very young children, you may wish to take additional photographs when the child is sleeping and their face is relaxed.

3.  Take pictures of any scars, cuts and deformities--anything you have questions about.  If you have a question about size, like of a scar, place a dot (or other reference object, like a meter stick) near that feature as well.

*Avery 1/2" Round Removable Color Coding Labels; Available at your local office supply store.

Technical Tips

• Try to make sure what you’re photographing is in the light, preferably sunlight, so that the colors are as accurate as possible. It doesn’t need to be so bright that it hurts the child’s eyes, it just needs to be illuminated. Your back will be turned, partially or mostly, to the light source; make sure that you’re not casting a shadow on the child.
• Make sure the feature you’re photographing is in the center of the frame. If the child is moving around and needs to be held, make sure that the person holding the child isn’t covering anything you want us to see.
• It may be helpful to use something to keep the camera steady so the photos don’t blur. If you don’t have a tripod, one option is to sit backward on a high-backed wooden chair and to rest the camera on the back of the chair.
• Use a digital camera if sending photos via e-mail; take the picture at 640 x 480 resolution. When uploading to a computer, save the picture in either .jpg or .gif format.  If you are abroad, note this in the subject of the email.