Taking Great Photographs of Your Children

When I became a mom, I found it very important to document the lives of my children through photographs. I've always enjoyed taking photographs, but I have never owned an expensive camera like an SLR. I've never taken any photography classes. I've never had a camera that the lenses could be switched out. I've never had a professional camera. But, I still wanted to take great photos of my kids! What is a mom to do?

Over the years of consistently taking photos of my children with my "point and shoot" digital camera, I have learned some techniques to make my pictures look better and better. In fact, I have had a lot of positive feedback about my photography, and some of my photos could definitely pass for "professional." Here are some helpful tips!

Say Goodbye to the Flash!

Lighting is key to a good photo. Although it may seem that you want the flash to go off to give you more lighting, this is not the case! A flash on a "point and shoot" digital camera will hurt much more photos than it helps. The flash can cause color distortion, red eyes, and just really change the look of the moment you were trying to capture.

You must look for good natural lighting! Light coming inside from a window usually works great. Better yet, head on outside for great lighting. Be careful not to be directly in the sun though, because this can make everything too bright and washed out looking. An overcast day, or a nice spot in the shade works perfectly!

Snap Away, and Take Many Photos!

If I dress my children in their cute clothes, and head outside to take some photos, I know I'm going to be taking a lot. Even the most experienced photographers can't get that perfect photo in one shot. Just keep snapping, and you'll be more likely to get that cute expression, or one photo with a crisp, clear focus. Don't be afraid to keep taking photos, you can always delete the bad ones later. I've found that when I look back at the many photos I take, I find some gems in there that I didn't necessarily notice while I was taking them! You might be surprised too.

Get Down on Their Level!

Be sure to position yourself so that your camera is right at the level of your child. If you are always standing above them, the angle will be different. Your children's proportions will look a little bit distorted. ( Of course you can use different angles to do some creative shots, but for the most part, that's probably not what you're going for.) Feel free to get down on the floor with them, or come down on your knees to get just the right angle for your photos. As you come down to their level, your child might be more engaging, and look at the camera, or interact with you more. This definitely helps with getting some good photos!

Focus on the Eyes!

Once you start taking photos without your flash, in good lighting, you will immediately notice a difference in your photos. One of the main differences is in the eyes. You will see clearly those bright blue, green, hazel, or beautiful browns sparkle with their true color!. A great capture of the eyes can make an "okay" photo extraordinary! Take a look at your light, and make sure those eyes are shining, and their true color is coming through. If they look great in real life, then your photos should turn out great as well.

Always Have Your Camera Ready!

Children are so darn cute, and you never when they are going to do something camera worthy. Be ready all the time. Make sure your camera's batteries are charged, and your memory card is ready to go. You will always cherish those great candid photos of your children, and they will too!