Take Better Pictures of Your Kids with Your Digital Camera

So you have a digital camera. You want to take great pictures of your kids, but they never seem to come out just right. Let me share some very easy and practical tips for ways that you can take better, even great, photos of your children that will last a lifetime.

We are in the era of digital photography. Many professional photographers have gone digital because they realize the many advantages of going digital, too. Digital cameras allow you to check your pictures on the spot to see if what you are getting is good or not. You no longer have to wait to get your pictures developed to know if you will be happy with your product. You can simply delete what you don't like.

I am the mother of four children, and I know first hand how expensive it is to take your children to a professional photographer to capture their growing years. Several years ago I invested in a digital camera and began practicing in order to learn the fine art of photography.

Initially my intention was just to capture my own children, but I have gone on to photograph friends and others including those who are building portfolios for modeling and advertising careers. I will be shooting my first wedding next week. What started out as a money saving endeavor for my family, could easily become a money making one.

So let me share a few tips that I learned through trial and error, studying other photographer's technique, and practice, practice, practice.

First, to take better digital pictures of your kids, I would recommend a digital camera with at least 6-mega pixels. You don't even really need to know what that means to take a good picture. My camera is an eight-mega pixel digital camera and that is quite sufficient. There are cameras on the market now with even more than that, but it is not necessary to have a camera that advanced to get great shots of your kids.

Once you've picked out your camera and have it at home, I recommend that you actually read the package inserts. The directions for your digital camera will help you work through all the bells and whistles. Learn to set your camera on portrait mode for when you are taking those shots of your kids. It will put them in focus while blurring the background. Makes for really great portraits. And set your camera to take the best possible picture. It will take less pictures per camera card, but the quality will be much better. Buy the card with the most memory and this won't be a problem.

My kids are so used to having their picture taken that now we have a routine. But let me share some suggestions on how to catch the best shots of your kids. It is not necessary to go any farther than your own back yard to get great shots. We have gone to the park or to the playground for variety, and as a reward afterwards the kids get to stay and play a while. After all your models should be paid!

I recommend outdoor pictures because most of us novices do not own, know how to operate, or properly set up lighting kits. There's no better lighting than God's anyway. And it's free!

Plan to take your photographs around 10:00am on a clear day. This is a good time, because the sun is not too high in the sky, the shadows are not too harsh, and the lighting is softer. You kids won't be too tired out from a full day of play, either.

Have your kids wear solid colors. Patterned clothing tends to take away from the true subject of the photograph- your kid. Also have some printed in black and white because everyone looks great in black and white.

The children should be as relaxed as possible. Take their photograph in casual clothing so that you don't need to worry about being so fussy about it. If your children are comfortable in what they have on they will make much better models. And remember, it is the child you are photographing, not the clothes.

Learn to see the world through your viewfinder. Actually hold the camera up to your face and look through it. Most people tend to hold the camera away from their face and look at the LCD screen. Your shots will be much better if you hold the camera up to your face, and block everything else out your field of vision except what you see through the viewfinder.

Let me encourage you to talk conversationally with your child while you are taking their picture. Some of the best shots are not those with them looking directly into the camera with a big cheesy grin. You will get many different facial expressions if you converse with them during the shoot. You get that thoughtful look when they are thinking of an answer to a question, and you'll get a smile with a sparkle in the eye when they think of something that excites them. Conversation also helps them to relax them and gives you more natural shots.

Don't be afraid of getting in close. Fill up the frame with your child's face. Remember they are the focal point. Get tight shots of their face and then pull back for a few full body shots. Remember a full body shot can always be cropped to a facial shot later. Move all around your child. Play hide and seek behind a tree. Snap their picture when they peek out at you with that big happy smile.

Get down on their level. If you are standing up your shots will have the wrong perspective. Lay down on the ground if necessary. Make sure you get vertical as well as horizontal shots.

Make sure you give them plenty of breaks. Fifteen minutes at a time is about as long as you need to take. You can take a blue million pictures in fifteen minutes. Realize that most of them will be throw-aways, but you're only looking for a few gems. I am pleased when I get four or five great shots from one session. After the session is over, reward them with a treat and they will look forward to the next session.