I agree with Casper, this is the same question asked twice. In your original thread you asked about indoor AND outdoor. You could have continued this in your original thread. No need for a second.

Thank you all for the advise it will help me for sure. Casperwb I did not have the same thread the other one was about an indoor shoot.

Set your camera to single point AF. When starting to compose every shot, aim the exact center of your viewscreen on the baby, then hold the shutter button partially down without tripping it. Hold the button in this position until you recompose the shot. When you are ready to take it, press the button the rest of the way. Taking pictures of a small baby outside may cause your focusing to select something else in the frame (like a nearby tree). If you are in a shaded area or uneven lighting on the baby, you can open the pop up flash for some fill light.

Oh, and make sure you're not in continuous focus mode or else the focus will want to change, even with your finger partially depressing the shutter button.

My advice is to avoid buying any fancy lenses, lights, modifiers or anything that you are not familiar with to a first time shoot (practicing in the studio with still life is a different issue). Really, you want to focus on the expressions of the baby, the interactions with other people or toys as other have suggested. As much as you can, try to pay attention to the light and look for interesting locations, but don't sacrifice the former.

Look at your baby, see where the light and shadows are, adjust as needed. Most important; relax and have fun. Do not be afraid to get down to the baby's level.

Lisa

You have started two threads with the same topic.

Find a spot in the shade without too many distracting elements behind the subject. Hopefully you will have some open sky at your back when shooting, and you are shooting toward your subject with a darker background behind them. Use a long lens or the telephoto end of a zoom.

Take some toys with You, as You need the baby to focus on You and get it interest.

What other equipment do you have Lisa, (lenses/flash/reflectors etc), and which of the camera modes (P/A/S/M) are you comfortable with? No point in making suggestions that may or may not be over your head.

I have a nikon d5000. Im comfortable with it but not entirely. Im taking my first photo shoot of a 8 month old baby. It will be outside in a grassy tree area. What settings should I use, what lighting directions, stuff like that. I could use all the advise you guys have!!
thanks