10 tips for taking beautiful photos of your children

Sara-Jane is a professional baby and child photographer at ShutterBaby Photography, specialising in contemporary natural light photography at your home or on location.  Here she gives her top ten tips on making the most when we photograph our children

As a professional baby and child photographer I am often asked how to take beautiful photos of your children. So here are my top ten tips:

1. It’s all about the light

Outside, avoid bright sunlight as this causes squinting and harsh shadows, so use the shade instead. Inside, use natural window light and try to avoid using a flash. If you have to, diffuse the flash by putting some tissue over it.

2. Composition is key

You don’t always have to put your child’s face in the centre of the photo. Try taking photos where the face is off to the side or turn your camera at an angle for a more interesting shot. This works especially well for newborn photos.

3. Watch your background

Make sure the background is uncluttered and there are no objects growing out of your child’s head! If your camera has a portrait mode, this helps to blur the background.

4. Avoid getting your kids to say “cheese”

This often ends up in forced unnatural pictures. The approach I take when I am photographing children is to have a parent behind me, making them laugh. Sing, clap, dance, make silly faces…. and you will be rewarded with gorgeous, real smiles!

5. Continuous shooting mode

If your camera has it, turn on the continuous shooting mode. Then you won’t miss that smile because you were a second too late pressing the shutter!

6. Get down to their level

This takes you into their world and makes a more engaging photo than from above. I often photograph babies while they are on their parents’ bed, crouching at eye level.

7. They don’t have to look at the camera

Sometimes it’s much easier to capture your child’s true personality when they are unaware that the camera is there.  Try taking a photo while they are playing/ doing something that they love.

8. Be careful of getting too close

If you fill the frame with a child’s face, it can appear bigger and rounder than it actually is.

9. Pick your time carefully

Kids are much happier to be photographed straight after they have slept and eaten. Mornings are the best time for most children!

10. Use a free editing tool

You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes removing flaky skin, food and scratches. Try iPhoto or Picasa.

Above all, have lots and lots of fun!! Make taking photos into a game, and if your child is getting agitated, leave it… there’s always another day!

–Sara-Jane McCabe

Sara-Jane’s style is fun and relaxed, which puts your children at ease and allows their personalities to be captured in beautiful, natural pictures. You can find her via her website ShutterBaby her Facebook page  and on Twitter too @shutter_baby

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