I've been toying with the idea of writing a series of posts with simple ways you can improve your pictures. I know that not everyone wants to be a photographer or learn the ins and outs of their cameras, but I do know that everybody feels a sense of excitement when they capture the perfect picture or disapointment when they try to get some cute pictures of their kids and they just don't turn out very well.
In this day and age we are all trying to save money so updating pictures of your children every few months is more cost effective to do on your own. And I'm sure you want to put that pricey camera you bought to some good use!
Tip #1 - Find pretty, even light.
Move your subject to "open shade". Open shade means an area that is well lit but has no harsh direct sunlight. A patio overhang, a full leafy tree, or the shaded side of a building are great examples. By using open shade you will get very even and flattering light and your subject will not have an awful squint from staring into the sun. :) Overcast days can be perfect for taking pictures because virtually anywhere will have open shade.
If you want to take a shot somewhere that doesn't have open shade (in a field for instance) keep in mind that the worst lighting is when the sun is directly over head. You'll find the best light early in the morning or about an hour before sunset.
No Shade - notice the hot spots and harsh shadows.
Open Shade - lovely even light
Tip #2 - Wear white!
If you, the photographer, wear a white shirt you will reflect light back on to your subject. Being a human "reflector" reduces shadows and color casts on your subject. If you still find that the shadows are a little too deep for your taste, then anything white will work as a reflector to bounce light back and make the eyes sparkle. I use a typical photography reflector that folds up like a sun shade but a white poster board, Styrofoam board, even a white sheet or towel can work. Play around with the angle of your reflector until you achieve the most flattering light for your shot.
Tip # 3 - You don't need a picturesque scene to get a lovely background. One of the great things about photographing children? They are small! Look through your camera's viewfinder and you'll see that you don't have much space to fill around your subject. You'll be surprised at the places I've had clients posed in and you would never know that there was something ugly near by. I'll show you the set up for one of my favorite shots of my daughter that was a less than pretty studio set.
Obviously a little Photoshopping was involved in the final image but I think you get my point. A pretty stairway at a local park, a brick wall, the back of an old pickup truck, some lovely bushes in your back yard, a wooden fence, even your bed can all be very cute places to shoot in. Try laying down a colorful quilt or find a green patch of grass. If something isn't working, then move to another spot and try again!
Tip # 4- Don't say "cheese".
Natural smiles are the best smiles. Tell a silly joke, make a crazy face, having someone jump around behind you like a goofball, whatever it takes! If nothing else is working sometimes you can tell older kids NOT to smile and they can't help it.
One of the things you'll hear me say often is that photographing toddlers is like nailing Jello to a wall. It's impossible to get them to stay still, so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
Tip #5 -
Change your perspective.
When photographing children it's especially important to get on their level. For a fun change of pace you can try laying on your belly and shooting up or stand on a chair and shoot from above looking down. This is where you can get really creative so have fun with it!
Tip #6 – Capture it all.
Think outside of the box and photograph your kids doing what they do best!
You'll want to remember the way they look when the wake up from a nap, or the
crazy smiles they give while running wild, even those pouty faces.
I seriously can’t stress this enough. Kids grow so fast and you’ll treasure
all of the less than perfect pictures you took of them. Practice makes perfect
so get in the habit of picking up your camera, whatever kind it may be, and
snap that shutter like there’s no tomorrow!
