TIPS: Let's Photograph Your Kids!
I’m writing this at an unprecedented time when schools, businesses and events across the world are closing doors amid the outbreak of coronavirus. Without much time to adjust, homeschooling and working from home are the new realities for many of us.
Photographing your kids could be a great thing to add to your list of fun projects you can do in the comfort of your own home! It’s time to grab that DLSR that you never got around to using, and try out some of these quick tips. You will love the results and treasure the beautiful images of your little ones!
Tip 1: Hang out by a window
Do yours kids run away when you try to take photos of them? No sweat! They don’t need to look at that camera and say cheese for you to take a great photo. Think of ways to keep them OCCUPIED. Put them in front of their favorite toys, dress them in a costume, or have them start a fun puzzle so that they don’t even notice you’re there.
What’s super important is where you put the kids. Using window light is one of my favorite ways to capture them as the light wraps around them really nicely. I like to use large windows that face north or south and don’t get that much direct sun. The larger the source of light, the softer the light - a good rule to remember! Make sure to angle the face either directly or at a slight angle from the window (not looking away from it). If you can try to catch some light in their eyes, that’s even better!
Tip 2: Zoom in and say, “Look up!”
This is a super easy shot that almost always creates adorable portraits! I try to have them stand near a window (preferably facing the window so their faces are will-lit), I walk over right in front of them and have them look up at the camera. This works great with a cheap 50mm pancake lens and remember to use low aperture (like F3, 3.5)
Tip 3: Catch them while eating
I LOVE LOVE LOVE photographing kids at meal times! Not only are they usually staying put in one place, but it’s all the fun expressions, full cheeks, messiness all around. How much more fun can it get? Again, find a table by a window and make sure they are facing directly or at an angle to the light.
Other favorite daily moments are when they are getting dressed, brushing teeth, reading a book. It’s those ordinary things that will become memories you cherish in years to come.
Tips 4: Get down low
It’s amazing to discover a totally new perspective when you get down on your knees or belly to be on level with your little ones. You realize they see an entirely different world! And this perspective works great when taking pictures of tiny ones or kids who are playing on the floor. Make sure you give yourself some distance to fit in that nice sense of perspective, unless you have a wide angle lens.
Tip 5: Use wide aperture
Slightly technical but an important tip! Of course every setup needs slight tweaking on the various settings, but I always start with my aperture set somewhere between F3.5 - F2.0 to achieve a shallow depth of field. This is what makes the background nice and blurry while the main subject is in focus.
Tip 6: Faster shutter speed
Kids are always on the move. To make sure your photos are not out of focus or blurred, make sure your shutter speed is relatively high. I usually make sure they are above 300 or 400. In dimmer light, you will have to raise your ISO to compensate.
Tip 7: Take LOTS of photos!
I fall into a camp of photographers who take lots and lots and lots of photos in a shoot. It’s not quite that I’m afraid I won’t have a good photo but I love capturing sequences of images that tells a story. Sometimes it’s the subtle difference in poses or expressions that really makes a photo so unique.
These are some very basic tips that you can easily try while trying to navigate the new daily routine of home learning and family bonding. I hope you will take this time to document some beautiful family moments. It’s a silver lining we have all this interrupted time together — let’s make the most of it.
P.S. Don’t have a DSLR? No problem. Phone tips will be next!