Does your photo album contain photos showing thumbs over the camera lens? Did you take a great family portrait except that nobody in the photo seems to be paying attention? Do you wish that your digital photos were more creative? Take heart. One doesn't necessarily have to be an expert photographer in order to take a good photo.

Here are some easy tips to help you be on your way to filling your family photo album with beautiful photographs of your children.

Become "invisible." For a natural-looking portrait, wait until your baby's attention turns to an activity other than staring at the camera. By using a telephoto lens you'll be able to stand farther away so that your baby is unaware of your presence, resulting in a more natural photo.

Take multiple images. Professional photographers often say that they get one good photo for every 10 that they shoot. Since many people now use digital cameras rather than cameras that use a roll of film, it's easy to take a lot of shots and then delete the bad ones. So click away in search of that perfect portrait.

Focus on after-bath time. It's a great time to get great photos of babies. Notes Shannon Casey, a Denver-based photographer who specializes in children's portraits: "I lay [the baby] on the bed and let the ambient sunlight through the window, to create a nice reflection in their eyes and a soft skin tone. You can lay them down on family quilts, baby blankets or just a clean white sheet," suggests Casey, perhaps propped with different-sized pillows.

Experiment with perspective. By photographing babies from above, they'll look smaller. By taking shots from below, they'll look larger. Casey suggests using both of those techniques. In addition, as Turnersville, NJ photographer and grandfather Frank Nerney puts it: "Become a child. Get down on the floor where the baby is and shoot from that angle," the child's level, to capture the baby's perspective.

Pay attention to background. Cautions Nerney: "Be aware of the background of your photos. Avoid background clutter so that the focus is on the child, not on the background." Although background can be a distraction, it can enhance a photo if used with intention. Fellow photographer Casey suggests selecting walls with texture and color to add visual interest.

Frame your photos while shooting. Casey uses doorways, windows and benches, for example, to photographically frame the subject of the photo. Doing so creates further visual interest.

Be quick. Because babies can quickly change their expressions, "Keep snapping photos and talking" to your baby, urges Casey. Nerney stresses the importance to "Be ready, be quick, especially when babies interact with a family pet."

With practice, almost anyone can take great photos of young children. The biggest requirement is to have fun. "Always keep it fun," says Casey. "Never stress and you're sure for success."

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