Cry Baby Photo Contest Winners by Guest Judge Me Ra Koh

Me Ra Koh loves cameras, kids, and parents, and spends her life bringing them together. Her work and photo recipes have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Nate Berkus Show, and Lifetime Television. You can find her at www.merakoh.com.

(Enter to win a copy of me Ra's new book, Your Baby In Pictures.)

Our Contest Winner

by Nikki T.

The photo exercise on my blog this week is about capturing conflict in your photos. By conflict, I don’t necessarily mean photos that are limited to crying, fussy babies. Instead, conflict moments can show emotional contrast, moments of tension, or specific character traits that your baby displays. The winning photo for the Crying Baby contest knocked this out of the park! Not only do we have a crying baby, but we have the contrast of a happy dog too! Incredible shot! The two conflicting emotions doubles the intensity of the overall photo. I also love how there is a clip of the orange tree in the background with a single orange sitting in baby’s lap. If there wasn’t an orange in baby’s lap, the orange tree in the background may have distracted us from all the emotion. But instead, it brings the whole photo together. BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the winner for capturing a photo that not only had great timing but great composition too! You should be super proud of yourself (and that sweet baby!).

Runner-Up

by Amy M.

I love how the mom got down low for this photo. Backgrounds can be distracting, unless they add to the story. The big chairs that loom in the background of this photo definitely add a sense of how small baby is. To the mom, wonderful job of giving us not only a great pouter lip / crying baby, but giving us a wonderful sense of size perspective! (and wow, those eyes are AMAZING!)

Runner-Up

by Missty M.

I love how mom sat baby in a setting that compliments baby’s colorful dress. The simplicity of baby’s surroundings, all the rich green colors, allows us to know what and who the story is about—right away. I also love that baby is off centered. The subtle decision to not put baby in the middle, can often add more energy to the overall photo. Great job to the mom! What a sweetheart!! (Those bunny ears—PRECIOUS!)

Runner-Up

by Ashley R.

I love how mom filled the whole frame with details that accentuate the story. There isn’t any unnecessary background or clutter. In fact, if you stand back, you’ll notice how three of the four sides are bordered with birthday details; the red balloon that is in the photo (just enough), the tip of the birthday hat that is cut off at the top, the red-ribbon present teetering on the tray. All these elements make the center of the photo, baby with the big cry, more powerful. We can’t help but smile. Fantastic job to the mom! (The blue #1 is hilarious! Love it!)