When it comes to taking photos of your kids, your photos will fall into two categories: the “Snapshot” and the “Photo”. We all know the Snapshot—our phones are filled with them—the quick adooooorable moments we do not want to miss and we whip out our phone as fast as we can to capture it before it is gone. Don’t ever stop taking the Snapshot! They are so important in telling your family’s story.
Snapshots don’t pay attention to light, composition, or any other elements that make a kick a photo, but they do contain emotion and tell a story. And with emotion and storytelling, you are halfway there. My steadfast rule is to first capture the Snapshot (what a shame it would be to miss that perfect moment checking out light and composition), and if time allows (ie: if little humans’ allow) go in for the Photo. If we can bring all these things together—the light, the composition, the story—then we have the Photo.
So next time your little person graces you with a few extra minutes go in for the Photo. Or better yet, grab your camera before the moment happens and start practicing taking photos. Are your kids playing a board game together? Move them into the dramatic light coming into through the kitchen window. Is the sun setting in beautiful golden tones at the end of soccer practice? Let them kick around the ball for a few more minutes or roll around in the grass. Did the quick rain shower leave puddles in your driveway? Throw on some rain boots and let them jump! Sure, photo worthy moments happen all the time, but it doesn’t hurt to make them happen either ;)
Try out these tips for taking better photos of your kids, and with practice, all your photography will start to look a little more like a Photo.
1.) Add a Pop of Color to Your Photo
A little color can go a long way in your photography! Bright colors on kids are youthful and fun and really showcases them as a kid. And color will draw your attention to the most important subject of the photo…them!
2.) Play with Light in Your Photography
If you follow me on Instagram, it is no secret I am obsessed with beautiful yummy light! If the sun is setting and we are outside you better believe my phone or camera is coming out to capture what my kids are doing. A mundane moment can be made all the better with a golden sunset. But there are so many other kinds of light to play around with as well. Start by observing in your house—which rooms get light during different parts of the day? Notice dramatic shadows on the wall or little pockets of light in hallways. You can even play with light coming from an artificial sources like an iPad. Light is all around, have fun with it!
PS: Photo 1 and 3 are iPhone photos, so Rock the camera you have—it is the vision and creativity of the photographer (you!) that makes the photo, not the camera.
3.) Add Perspective to Your Photo
Little kid, big world! To kids, the world is big and when you are out in nature this is never more apparent. In addition to showcasing the amazing landscape you are enjoying, you will really be making a statement about how little they are in contrast to the world around. Take a step back and watch them explore.
4.) Add Movement to Your Photo
Dancing, flipping hair, kicking dirt.. This is one I utilize a lot, especially with my girls. I’ll come across a gorgeous landscape and just need to add the finishing touch…them! Having them just stand in the middle and smile at me makes a boring photo (remember we are going for personality and telling a story), so I have them dance, skip, play ring-around-the-rosy, whatever gets them moving and having fun. If my son is involved it usually turns to wrestling ;)
5.) Change Your Angle When Taking a Photo
Get high, get low! Try getting on your kid’s level to see show their perspective of the world (such as the photo of my son adding blocks to the tower below—it looks sooo high to him!). Shooting looking down is another great angle you can take and works excellent with babies who cannot sit up yet too!
Mama, take these tips and tell your story! Show me how you rocked photographing your kids on Instagram with #MyStoryInPhotos—I can’t wait to see the results!
