Photographing Kids
Kids grow up so quickly and while we are often left with
countless memories, most parents have only a drawer packed with
school photos, blurry holiday snaps and the forced grin of the
inevitable yearly birthday picture to account for the years gone
by.
It’s time to stop bemoaning the latest photograph of your thumb
obscuring your adorable baby and get on with improving your
skills as a photographer.
Why should you bother when the near-by mall has a perfectly good
photo studio, you ask? Photographing children poses specific
challenges but yields numerous rewards.
While it can be frustrating when you miss that spontaneous
moment, it is also highly satisfying when you manage to capture
the joy in their faces as they dance in the summer’s first sun
shower. Capturing the day-to-day moments will provide a treasure
trove of memories that you will cherish forever.
As well, your own images take on a more personal feel and a more
meaningful connection, something that can never be achieved in a
generic mall photography studio.
Follow these easy steps and immediately improve your snaps of
the kids.
Making The Unusual Usual
Friends with children often say to me “My child always pulls
faces for the camera and I can’t get a picture without little
Johnny sticking his tongue out and crossing his eyes.” Kids
–and many adults as well– are prone to hamming it up for the
camera, however, they will be more natural if the camera is a
part of their everyday life instead of brought out once or twice
a year. By making it a regular part of their lives, it will
increase the comfort level and encourage portraits that are more
natural. Try bringing out the camera once or twice a week and
focusing it on your kids. They will become accustomed to having
it around and it will give you a chance to practice your
technique, too. And, if they still clown around for the camera,
get into the swing of things and enjoy it. Little monkey faces
are a part of childhood!
Kids’ Eye View
As adults, we look one another in the eye and photograph our
friends at eye level. Do the same for your children. Bend down
on one knee or sit on the floor to get a picture that reflects a
child’s perspective. To add a little excitement, have fun
playing with perspective by shooting the image from the ground
up. Lie down on the ground and taking a picture from that
viewpoint. Suddenly toddlers become giants and we can witness
the world as they see it, by looking up.
Patience, Patience!
Small children have a limit of two or three minutes before they
become bored with Mummy or Daddy’s photo session. The urge to
run off and play becomes just too much! Don’t force kids to stay
in one place for long, unless you like pictures of sullen little
faces. If you are taking a formal portraiture-style photo be
sure to plan ahead for the best possible results. Check your
batteries, make sure there is film in the camera and if you are
using a digital camera see that there is space on the memory
card. Provide your toddler or small child with a prop, like a
ball or a favourite toy to help create a more natural
expression, instead of the one that says, “Just hurry up and
take my picture, Mom!” Keep it fun and stress-free.
Fill The Frame
Because backgrounds can sometimes be distracting, do not be
afraid to move in closer and take a picture of your angel’s
face. It creates drama and interest in the photograph and
eliminates extra clutter. Unless you are taking a travel photo
or an image of the child engaged in a particular activity, feel
free to emphasize the most important element of the picture-
your child. Use the zoom or macro tool on the camera to get in
closer. Pictures of your little one’s hands or feet can also be
interesting studies, and one day you may find yourself saying,
“I can’t believe they were so tiny!”
Just A Little Off-Centre
Many professional photographers use “The Rule Of Thirds”
approach which means that they mentally divide the frame into
three sections both vertically and horizontally –like a
tic-tac-toe grid– and place the subject of the photo at one of
these intersecting points. It helps to create a more dynamic
photograph, than one where the subject is smack-dab in the
middle. Take note that if your camera is an auto-focus model,
you may have to focus first on your subject and then, with the
shutter button still half-pressed, recompose the image.
Natural Light Rules!
One of the tricks of the trade in photography is to use morning
or late afternoon light. The sunlight at this time is wonderful
and helps to produce pictures that are bathed in warmth. Direct
light flatters the subject and adds to a more intimate and
natural-looking photograph. It also helps to greatly reduce the
bane of every parent photographer- red eye!
Experiment with taking advantage of the sunlight pouring through
a window, or march the kids outside on a sunny day and
photograph them while they are playing tag.To have a well-lit
photograph make sure the light is behind you, shining on the
subject. To create drama, try using side light for impressive
shading. If you try to take a photo with the sunlight behind
your children, a technique known as “backlighting”, you will end
up with the subject looking like a dark silhouette.
The Last Word
It really is all about fun. View the time you are taking to
photograph your children as time to share in their adventures
and imaginary play. A frustrated mom directing kids to a more
picturesque location and insisting on a smile does not reflect
kids’ reality. Pick up the camera only when everyone is relaxed
and happy. Finally, don’t expect every photo to be a
masterpiece. The truth is that only a few images from each roll
are frame-worthy, but the important thing is to keep snapping
away to capture the moments that depict their ever-changing
lives, in all its unique glory!
About the author:
Charlotte Riley has worked as an Internet editor, content
producer, marketing writer and researcher. She has a BFA from
Concordia University, majoring in Photography. In her spare time
she can be found cooking, working on crossword puzzles or
hanging out with her daughter, Kate. Contact
www.acriley.com