Secrets to Taking Great Pictures of Your Kids
Photography Tips for Getting the Best Shots of Children
Feb 26, 2009
Parents love taking pictures of their kids, but they’re often disappointed to find that shots didn’t come out as well as they’d hoped. Fancy cameras and lenses might help, but the key is to know how to use the equipment you’ve got. Even with a basic point-and-shoot camera, it’s possible to get great results when you follow these simple photography rules.
Get Down to Their Eye Level
Many parents don’t even realize that they are taking pictures of their child at a downward slant much of the time. Don’t feel too self-conscious to get down to your child’s eye level in order to capture a fabulous moment on film. Taking photos at a child’s level shows his expression best, brings focus to the picture, and downplays shadows on the face.
Minimize Background Distractions
A cluttered background takes the focus away from the child in the foreground. If you see a good photo opportunity, take a second to move brightly-colored or reflective objects and toys from the background first. It may be hard to take photos with a neat backdrop when you’ve got small children in the house, but do your best. Zooming in on your child will automatically eliminate many background distractions in a photo. Another option is to take your child outside for pictures, which is discussed next.
Use Natural Light
Part of taking pictures is always using whatever sources of light are available to you, instead of just relying on your camera’s flash. The best source of light for photos is sunlight. Kids look best in natural light, so whenever possible photograph them outside or near a window. Sunlight enriches a photo by adding depth to your child’s face and eliminating shadows.
The best time to take pictures are a few hours after sunrise or a few hours before sunset, preferably on a day that is bright yet cloudy. If your child is squinting in the sun, move them under the shade of a nearby tree and you will get the positive effects of indirect sunlight. The only time of day that is not good for outdoor picture-taking is at noon or near sunrise and sunset, when glare and shadows become too much of a problem.
Experiment with Black-and-White
Black-and-white photos are making a comeback. A monochrome picture gives a timeless or sentimental feel to a photograph. (And if you are trying to take a family picture, it doesn’t matter if outfits are color coordinated!) It’s easy to change any color photo to black-and-white using a photo editing program. And if you have a digital camera, browse through the manual and find out what other cool effects are possible with your camera and experiment with them.
Vary the Kind of Pictures You Take
You want to create an album of photos that capture the essence of your family life, so don’t make the mistake of just bringing out the camera on holidays and vacations. Take everyday shots of your children. Record them doing the things they love and making their favorite expressions. Take photos not just of smiling faces, but from behind when walking hand-in-hand with a sibling or sitting on a park bench with a parent. Try getting close-ups of hands or feet, or shots of your child crying or laughing. Think of yourself as a photojournalist rather than just a photographer.
Take Action Shots
Kids are always in motion. Instead of trying to get them to stop and pose for a picture, go with the flow and take action shots. Capture the expression on their little faces as they are engrossed in something they love. If your child is involved in an organized sport, try getting action shots at practice rather than at actual games. Daytime practices have better lighting and allow you to get closer to the field or court. You may get some blurry shots if you have basic equipment, but persistence will award you with a perfect shot.
The popularity of the digital camera has made picture-taking easier than ever, so don’t be afraid to try new things. Keep these basic rules for photographing children in mind: get down to their level, minimize background distractions, pay attention to lighting, experiment, use variety, and photograph kids in action.
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