Child Photography - 5 Creative Tips to Photograph Your Kids & Family

There are many ways to create stunning photos of your child. I've experience that you can get more beautiful images by yourself than bringing your child to some of the portrait studios. Kids don't usually smile naturally to strangers. Parents have more chances to take better photos than professionals. Actually some of these studios are not really experience photographers because I've worked with them before. Your child will give you a pleasing smile that you'll love and keep it for memories.

 

Here are 5 Tips about Child Photography.

 

1. Try different angle format: Usually professionals always use vertical shots to achieve their best portrait photos. But, I've noticed myself and the Photography books I've read that taking portrait photography in horizontal format looks pleasing and acceptable. This is especially true with an attractive background that you can include in the photo.

 

2. Avoid flat lighting: Use a combination of available light & on camera flash. That's what I usually do to create a shadow on the face of my clients. Set your light meter according to the ambient or available light then reduce your flash intensity to about minus one. This way you can produce more highlights and shadows better.

 

3. Zoom in your Lens: A normal or telephoto lens usually produces more realistic photos. When you use wide angle lens you will have portrait photos that looks distorted. One more advantage of using a telephoto lens is, it compress the photo and blur the background. Thereby it highlights more your subject.

 

4. Take a lot of Photos: Remember you're not using film anymore . Take a lot of pictures of your kids as much as possible to get the best photo. With Digital SLR Camera and some point and shoot cameras you can switch the Drive Mode selection to continuous mode to take more shots. Some advance DSLR Cameras have 6.5 frames per second. Imagine that, you can have about 6 photos in a second. You can't miss a shot.

 

5. Use a tripod if possible: Sometimes using a tripod will help you more take great photos. If you also have a remote control of your camera, use it to your advantage. This way you can concentrate on your subject and get that perfect smile you're waiting for. I was working in a small studio before and I experience the advantage of having a tripod. I can play with a ball on my right hand just to make my subject relax and smile, and at the same time my left hand on the remote. As a bonus your photos will be sharper too because the tripod holds the camera steadier than your hands. This is especially true when you're using a slow shutter speed.

I hope these tips can help you get better portrait photos of your child.

 

Tutorials, Tips and Resources
	The Digital Photography Book   Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, now tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think).
	50 Lighting Setups for Portrait Photographers: Easy-to-Follow Lighting Designs and Diagrams   This cookbook-style guide to portrait lighting contains all the ingredients necessary for a successful photo shoot. With 60 two-page spreads highlighting the techniques used to create stunning portraits alongside the portraits themselves, aspiring photographers will have a clear sense of both the "how" and the "why" of good lighting.