If you’d love some new, special photos of your kids to hang proudly on your wall or to hand out to relatives, you’ve probably no doubt been looking for some tips and inspiration for getting the perfect shot. Natural photos of children are great as they eliminate the forced, cheesy grins that kids often give us if we shout ‘SMILE!’ However, any parent will understand just how difficult the idea of getting a natural smile or a real, inquisitive look as they explore the world.
Below are some top tips together on how to do just that to help you on your way...1. Don’t worry about not having the latest camera
Whether you’ve got the latest DSLR or you’re using the camera on your phone, you can still get great pictures with the right techniques and editing skills.
2. Experiment with angles and perspectives
Photographing your children from above isn’t the best angle to go for – you’re more likely to get great shots if you get down to their level, or lower. Experiment with different perspectives and focuses to see what works and what doesn’t.
3. Capture them doing what they love
It’s fair to say that children photography will be a lot more successful if the kids are happy, so why not capture them doing something they really enjoy? Many professional photographers regard this as a great way to showcase their personalities too.
4. Be quick and patient
Spending hours to get them in the right position and moulding them into different poses is unlikely to make them very happy – unless they fancy themselves as the next Kate Moss! Keep sessions short and be patient – it will no doubt take a few attempts to get the perfect picture if you’re not a professional.
5. Focus on certain features
If they have a feature that you can’t get enough of, such as bright blue eyes or lovely full lips, make that the focus point of the picture to make it really interesting and unusual.
6. Think about backgrounds and colouring You could purchase a professional photography backdrop if you can’t seem to find a setting that you like, or you could be a bit more experimental and try out a few things. Shooting outside in natural light is the most likely to give great, flattering pictures.
7. Catch them at a good moment Aim the session at the time of day where they’re most relaxed and happy, i.e. after a nap or dinner. However, if you catch them playing and having fun, whip the camera out quickly and snap away!
8. Show them the pictures afterwards Showing them the pictures you’ve been taking of them will show them that it was all worth the hard work and they’ll no doubt absolutely love seeing themselves looking fabulous!
9. Use props and their favorite belongings Don’t be afraid to make the pictures more interesting by adding other elements to them, such as the child’s favorite toy or have them wear their favorite dress up outfit.
10. Have fun!
Most importantly, relax and have fun. Photography can be a great thing for the whole family and the results will be too, and you will achieve the desired results eventually. x