8 tips for photographing children from some of the best family Instagrammers around.
TIP #1 BY BRIT STRAWBRIDGE
Don’t Say Cheese! Change Up the Communication
Stop saying “Say Cheese!” or “Smile!” In my experience these directives lead to countless goofy faces. Or get them to do the exact opposite of what I want.
Try making them smile in other ways. Like telling them in the moment before you snap a shot “I love you!” Or “You’re the best!” Or “Maybe we can make some cookies later?” (In our household it always comes back to food!).
Find out what they love hearing from you and say it when you want that genuine smile.
TIP #2 BY RACHEL KEOHANE
Have Fun
Have fun. Make a mess. Let them play dress up, put make up on or let them paint themselves. Be crazy and capture those fun and wild moments with your kids.
TIP #3 BY RACHEL KEOHANE
Get Older Children Involved in Your Photography
It’s much easier to capture posed images with my daughter who is 7 then it is with my son who is 10. He’s more aware of my camera and tends to run away or make crazy faces.
Until recently I needed to bribe my oldest in order to get him in front of the camera. When I finally realized how ridiculous that was I decided to involve him in the photography process.
I now ask them both if they want to take a few pictures using my back up camera. Or if they want to help edit their images with me. Right now it seems to be working and both my kids have sparked an interest in photography.
TIP #4 BY TIA COSTELLO
Ditch the Staged Shots and Let Kids Be Kids
I'm not one for posed shots. I prefer to let my kids be themselves. And then be patient. You get the best shots when you get creative with your kids.
For example, if you’re trying to get some Christmas-themed photos, have your kids wrap presents. Or bake Christmas cookies with them. And just keep your camera to hand.
By having fun with your kids, their personalities will shine through your photos. Embrace their joy and their silliness. They won’t be this way forever. So capture (and remember) exactly who they are at this stage in their lives.
TIP #5 BY SHANE MACOMBER
Change Your Perspective to Clear Background Clutter
The situation may not be "picture perfect"- messy house, dirty faces, lack of good light - but that is life and what connects us back to that moment in time.
If things feel a little too cluttered, however, you can make simple adjustments to your body when shooting. Adjust your perspective to clean up a messy background and find interesting layers in your composition.
Shooting in black and white is helpful too. With black and white it’s all about the light. There’s no distraction from the colour. For me, a bright blue shopping bag in the background would really mess up a photo and detract from the focus.
TIP #6 BY SHANE MACOMBER
Shoot More, Less Often
If something the kids are doing seems interesting or fun. Or it feels like a moment you don't want to forget. Then shoot it - a lot. But then be done until the next.
It might be five minutes or five hours. It could even be days. Always be ready with your camera but don't try to force anything when you're not "feeling it"! I like to be quick as a photographer and then go back to being a parent and having fun with my kids.
TIP #7 BY KINZIE + RIEHM
Create Situations, Then Capture Them Unaware
We sometimes create a situation where beautiful moments can happen. Like taking a hike along the seashore or turning on the sprinklers so the kids can play.
Then timing is really important. We like to capture moments when the subject is not fully aware of the camera.
"We sometimes create a situation where beautiful moments can happen."
And if we do try to get them in a composed shot, we always take a few frames before and after so they are more relaxed and natural. It’s great to be able to get those “in between” moments. Sometimes these are the best frames of the whole shoot.
TIP #8 BY SHELLEY REIS
Capture A Full Range of Emotions
People are complex, multi-faceted human beings. While it’s wonderful to catch a bursting smile, to tell the full story of a person’s character, we shouldn’t shy away from capturing a range of different emotions.
It’s those imperfect images that show life as it is. And those imperfect details of life are often the ones we treasure most later on – because they’re the ones that tell our stories.
"It's those imperfect images that show life as it is. And those imperfect details of life are often the ones we treasure most later on."
Look for and embrace raw emotion in those real life moments. Whether it’s a tender embrace between a mother and child, the moment the cold ocean water hits a child’s feet or the moment a giggle turns into a belly laugh.
Capturing that decisive moment is what will engage the viewer most. And those images are more likely to feel important to you in 20 years’ time.
Thank you to all of our incredible family photographers for sharing their tips and photography with us. Want to see your family photographs up on the wall? Create Framed Photo Prints with Inkifi today!