Better pictures of your kids
By Jeremy Shawley
15 June 2007
1.Have fun!
Get out with your kids and play. Catch them when they are involved in something other than having their picture taken. When they are in their element doing what they love to do, they don't' even know the camera is there.
2.Get Close
The most priceless part of a picture of your kids can be the look on their face. Don't be scared to zoom in and get that expression. Don't worry about missing what is going on around them. You will remember what it was when you see the look on their face.
3.Watch your light
This really can be true about any photographic situation. Be aware of your light. If your outside, be aware if the sun is behind your kids and puts their faces in shadow. Or if it high in the sky and is making dark shadows under the eyes. If you are using window light, is it causing harsh shadows in the room or on the walls. Morning light is cool, evening light is warm.
4.Keep Clothes Simple
If you know you will be out taking pictures of your loved ones, try and keep the clothes they have on very simple. No T-shirts with logos or characters. Designs are ok, just be sure they are not too distracting. This too helps keep the images timeless.
5.Clean up faces
I have learned this the hard way. I have taken some great images of my kids, and if was not for photo editors, I never would have gotten orange Cheeto marks off their faces and saved the image. I try to keep some wet wipes in my car just in case we are out and the Cheeto fairy stops by.
6.Take lots of pictures
Kids are unpredictable and very quick. Take lots and lots of pictures to make sure you get that perfect shot.
7.Think outside the box
Let the school photographers take the simple portrait of your kids. Get creative and make images that are more than just a look at me and smile picture. Look in your camera bag and be creative with the lenses, flashes and other items you may have. Take pictures from different angles. Get down on their level and use the camera from their vantage point.
8.Don't say cheese!
You can see a fake smile from a 100 miles away. Catch the kids when they are really having fun, or just being goofy. And don't forget, they don't always have to smile.
9.Simple Backgrounds
Don't have your great picture ruined by something behind your subject. Try to keep the backgrounds simple and keep your depth of filed low to keep things that are not your subject out of focus.
10.Put down the camera and have some fun too!
Sometimes it take the picture taker to get things going and for the fun to start. Put the camera down and get in the game. When you look back at the pictures you got, you can remember how much fun you had that day too!
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