Guidelines for Videotaping and Photographing Your Referral

      When taking photos and videos of children, the following guidelines are useful in obtaining quality recordings to better assist in assessing children for adoption.

      A video of a child being considered should be at least 5 minutes in length and ideally 10 to 15 minutes. Be sure to film with your back to the light source. Do not video with window/light at child's back. Film the child at his level, not from below or above. Distortions will occur if filmed from above. Note the date of the video or his/her picture. It at all possible, the child should be shown with and without his/her outer clothes on. This is in order to assess the child for birthmarks, deformities and his/her overall status.

      Babies and very young children should be filmed lying on their backs, stomachs and sides. If they are able to sit, seat them with a small toy to play with. If they are able to stand and walk, film them moving around, walking to and from the camera.

     Any interactions with their peers or caretakers are very important. Try to film them in their normal environment, doing what they normally do. Usually, it is very difficult to catch a child vocalizing but you were able to that, it would be an added bonus.

    A fill frontal and back view of body is important as well as a close up, full frontal and profile of the child's face.

    Assessment of the child's fine and gross motor skills along with the personal and social development can be adequately show with a good quality video recording.

    Try to video the child's reaction to sound and if they turn their head in the direction of the noise.

    Remember this is only a snippet of their time. If you were able to film them on different occasions that would add valuable information.

Cindy Sundman, RN, BSN