3 secrets to taking better pictures of your kids
Do you often take a picture of your kiddo that’s cute, but is missing a little something?
My goal with this blog post is to support you in getting better pictures of your kiddos – pictures you’ll actually want to print.
I’ll go through three photographer secrets that only take a few extra seconds to put into use – but make a huge difference for your pictures. Then, just as quickly, you can resume your duties as a parent.
Even if you focus on getting just one great picture a week, you will have an amazing collection of pictures to print out at the end of the year.
Are you ready to get started? Let’s!
Tip 1: It’s all in the eyes
If you only keep one trick in mind, let it be this one: When you can get a sparkle into your subject’s eyes, it instantly transforms the picture from bland to magic.
The trick?
Make sure there is some kind of light source in the direction they are looking. This could be a window, open field, sky, or sun reflecting off bright houses or white cars.
Tip 2: Get closer
Getting close is one of my favorite things to do—it makes the viewer feel like they’re right where the action is.
Pictures from further away give the sense of mostly being an observer.
Getting closer gives a sense of being right in the middle of the action. (Which you are – keep your camera safe if in water!)
Close-ups are also a great way to capture little details that might not be noticed in a photo taken from further away.
In the above picture you can see just enough of the changing table to understand what’s going on, but be close enough to feel the frustration.
Another reason to get close is that it helps leave out anything that can distract from a timeless picture of your loved one(s).
Simply put, fill the frame with the most interesting things and leave out everything else that doesn’t add to the story.
Tip 3: Be on their level
Often it’s a good idea to take pictures from the main subject’s eye level – even if you’ve backed up a lot.
An adult’s perspective.
The toddler’s perspective.
Being at their level accomplishes two things:
This helps us connect with the baby’s, kid’s – or even pet’s! – point of view if they’re standing, sitting, or crawling.
The angle doesn’t distort them. You know how sometimes someone’s head looks super big in a picture? Whatever is closest to the camera will look the biggest, so if you photograph them from their own level, their heads look proportionate to their bodies.
I hope these tips help you feel more confident in taking better pictures of your loved ones 👍