Every parent knows that their child is cuter and more adorable than all the rest. We take enough photographs of our offspring to wallpaper the Great Wall of China.  But how many of those shots really show your child in the best possible way? With cheaper digital cameras, new easy-to-use software, and plug-and-play printers, the technology of professional photographers is now more accessible than ever.  But it takes more than great equiment to take a great photograph. How many photographs do you have of your children that ‘would be lovely if he was just looking the other way'? Or where ‘she just wouldn't sit still'? So to help you take better photographs of your children, here are some top tips from the pros ... Sitting Pretty Find a natural position for the child's developmental age. If the child is comfortable he is more likely to stay still and happy. Use pillows to provide support for young toddlers who are still a little ‘wobbly'. Eye to Eye Get on their level. Don't make a child crane it's neck to look up, not only is it uncomfortable for the child, but it will distort their whole body unnaturally. This said, photographers recommend keeping yourself slightly above eye level to ensure that those big baby blues are wide open. Keep on Clicking Take more than one shot. Even though everything might look great through the lens when you click that button, don't rely on one shot. The more photographs that you take the more likely you are to have some great ones. If you have a film camera, or a more modern digital camera, you should be able to take several shots in rapid succession. Lights! Lighting in children's photographs should always be natural to keep their youthful glow and fresh skin tones. The best time for taking photos is what professional photographers call ‘magic hour,' just after the sun rises, when light is soft. Taking your photos at this time will avoid harsh shadows and the squinted eyes and screwed up face that is likely to happen in brighter light. Keep Colors Simple Choose your childrens' clothes carefully. Don't distract from the focus (their face) with busy patterns. For a professional look, drape a plain white sheet as a background and dress your child in soft, pastel shades. Avoid bright, harsh colors, especially red, as this can give an unnatural cast to their skin tones. Centre Stage Make sure the child is in the centre of the lens and that your fingers and hair are not! It's a simple thing, but admit it, how many ‘almost great' photos do you have with a mysterious pink blob masking half the image? Make them Smile Taking photos of children is always easier with two people. One person should stand behind the photographer distracting the child with colorful toys and silly noises. This will encourage the child to have a natural smile and increase the length of time they are willing to sit happily for their ‘portrait'. Make photograph taking fun and it will be easy to get great photos in the future.