My mom has always said that almost every experience in life can be traced back to an episode of Seinfeld. One of my favorites is when they go to the Hamptons and visit the ugly baby.

Let’s face it, newborns can be a little funny looking. My son was beautiful from day 1, but I’ll admit to snapping a few shots of him when he was looking a little… off.

You don’t believe me? Please see exhibit A:

Here are a few tips for making great pictures of the early days.

1. This is BY FAR, the most important tip! Take advantage of perfect skin days – I don’t know about you, but since he was born, my son has lived the majority of his days with some kind of mark on his face. I didn’t have much baby acne to contend with, but between stork kisses, scratching himself, dry skin, blocked tear ducts and drool patches it seemed like I was always dealing with something.

If you find yourself in a similar pattern, know that your son or daughter will wake up one-day and be mark-free. Moms – this is a call to action! I don’t care if you’re tired, if you have to go to the bathroom, if the doorbell is ringing – if you find yourself in a perfect-face-scenario, grab your camera and get shooting, because it could be a week or two before this opportunity presents itself again! Believe me, if you hang up on your mother-in-law because your little girl is emerging from a nap with nothing but a rosey-glow, hand that MIL a print of your perfect girl and I guar-an-tee that she will understand and forgive your transgression.

2. Help Prop Him Up – As you know – newborns don’t have neck control, so you’re going to have to help your son out here. Here’s where your boppy is going to come in handy. Put the boppy on a table or ottoman or some kind of surface. Throw a solid color sheet over it and then place your son on his stomach in the center of the boppy with his arms and chest on the pillow. You’re going to need to move quickly, because your son probably won’t be too comfortable here for too long.

3. Take From Above – sometimes we need all the help we can get, and newborns are no exception. Taking pictures from above can not only be a great way to show a different perspective, but it can also be a really flattering angle for your baby.

4. Take pictures right after she’s eaten or nursed. I remember being so struck by the gorgeous rosey-hue of my son’s cheeks right after he nursed. It was so beautiful it almost brough tears to my eyes. Capturing this kind of detail will make your relatives all gooey inside.

5. Use texture in your background. Here’s where you can experiment and really have some fun! Do you have a big fluffy towel? Maybe a shaggy scarf? Use this kind of texture as your surface and it can create a really artistic touch to your photo.