Take Better Pictures of Your Own Children

So you want to get better photographs of your own children? I would love to photograph every milestone in your child's life but realistically I can’t be there every moment and I want to make sure you have the best photographs you can. Here are some tips that can help:

1.      First of all, if you are going to some effort like driving to a special park with the idea of getting some great photographs, choose a time of day when they are going to be at their best. How about just after a nap rather than when they are starting to get tired and grumpy? Morning tends to be best for most kids but think about your child's schedule and temperament.

2.      Bribery is ok! This is not the time to be worrying about good parenting. If the promise of ice cream or a trip to McDonald’s is going to win cooperation in the moment, do it! Take into account the development and attention span of your child when choosing the right bribe. I am sure you know this already, but a 20 month old won’t respond to delayed gratification. The reward has to come within the next 30 seconds or forget it! I do not like food bribes during the photography. The Cheerios might keep your little sweetie in the right spot and happy but then you get “chewing” pictures and the mouth just doesn’t look right, not to mention drool issues.

3.    Put thought into choosing your background and lighting. If you take your child to the park and want to chase them around snapping away, you will get a few good pictures but here are some tips to increase the odds:

a.       Choose open shade rather than direct sunlight. The light is softer and more flattering.

b.      Pay attention to the background and try to keep it simple and without bright spots. An easy way to do this is to have the camera at a high angle and shoot down on the children so that you have nothing but grass behind them.

c.       Have the children looking in the direction of  the light so there will be light in their eyes. I don’t mean looking at the sun. (That would be bad!) Stop and turn around and see what is behind the camera. Is it a big patch of open sky? Is it a building with sun hitting it? That is the light source.

Finally, I have an assignment for you: 

Hire a professional to take pictures of you with your children. Promise me that you will do this! Do not wait until you have lost weight or your hair is just right. If you just can't hire a professional then get a friend to snap a few. Your children love you just the way you are and you need to show your love for them by being in photographs with them. I guarantee these will be family treasures so swallow your pride and just do it! You can do more after the weight is gone and everything is just the way you want it but this moment right now will be gone.

So JUST DO IT! Pinky swear and cross your heart?