One of the most important purchases for new parents is a really good camera. No, that doesn’t necessarily mean one with multiple lenses and settings. Often you want one that is just portable, easy to use and doesn’t break easily.

Of course you may choose to augment that purchase with one with fancy lenses and a video camera and a few other accessories. But regardless, once you’ve obtained this vital equipment you’re going to want to start snapping away at every opportunity.

Whether or not you’ll have a scrapbook full of half missed moments, fuzzy images and finger-on-lense pictures depends on, really, how good a photographer you are. And I am not.

Though I happily snap away, I really am not that good at the art of photography. I generally leave important moments to my significant other. But, I try and I continue to learn which is why I was pleased to find this book, Professional Secrets for Photographing Children, which will, I hope bring me up to speed.

Besides the obvious tips on lighting, posing and location, this one discusses those all important aspects of, ah…shooting wiggly, disengaged little ones. Which means, how to bring out their personality, how to encourage cooperation (without threats, I assume) and even how to choose clothing.

Perhaps I’ll even be able to ditch the annual trips to the professional photo studio this year!