If you’re a mom, you probably are filling up your camera memory fast taking hundreds of pictures of them. Now that almost everyone has a smartphone on them at all times, it is easier than ever to take photos at the park or wherever you are with family. But if those pictures aren’t coming out the way you hoped, from being blurry to boring, these tips can help you take better photos of your kids. These are the pics that you will be able to look back on for years to come!
Get Down to Their Level
If you are constantly taking photos from above your kids’ heads, you are much less likely to get quality snaps than if you get closer to the ground. Yes, you need to get down to their level so you have the best chance of capturing the world from their perspective.
Sometimes, you can take better photos by even laying down flat right on the ground! This may even work to get your kids giggling so you can take even better shots. And that leads me to the next point.
Take Natural Photos
Let’s face it, posed photos simply aren’t that interesting. Just think of the favorite photos in your collection. How many of them are of people doing forced smiles at the camera? Instead, try to get pictures of your kids playing soccer or another activity.
This idea works even better if they have siblings, friends or your partner who can distract their attention away from the camera. Natural photos are definitely the ones you will treasure in the future.
Play Dress Up
Most kids love to dress up and most parents love to see their kids dressing up so it really is a win-win situation! You probably don’t need any excuse to buy some new cute baby onesies, haha! The sense of joy that kids get from wearing different clothes usually means that you will be able to take some great photos.
Why not join in the fun by dressing up yourself? This is bound to get your kids laughing!
Keep Taking Photos
The beauty of the digital age is that you can take hundreds and hundreds of pictures at no extra cost to yourself. Then simply delete any that you don’t like from the photo session. You’ll give yourself the best chance of getting the perfect shot if you take as many as possible.
But make sure you sort through these photos regularly. Otherwise, you will end up with a whole load of unsorted photos and the memorable ones will get lost. You also risk running out of room on your camera and having to take time to delete pics when you’re in the middle of the middle of a perfect opportunity to take new ones. That’s a hassle you can avoid now.
Fill the Frame
Rather than shooting photos where you later have no idea who is the subject, instead fill the frame as much as possible. It doesn’t matter too much about getting their whole body in the frame, in my opinion, as long as you can see their facial expressions. That’s the way more memorable part.
However, a good rule of thumb is not to crop them out at the joints. Doing so could give them a very strange look. Lastly, use the zoom function if you are standing further away so you can get a natural shot.
Do you have other pointers for taking better photos of kids? Feel free to share them below!
Great advice! I absolutely love taking pictures, especially of my boys. And I agree with not cutting off joints; cropping limbs makes me cringe! :D
My kids are older kids but my nieces and nephews are all little. I love taking candid photos of them, but they are such balls of energy. I end up with tons or blurs and backs of heads LOL.
Hehe – I can almost see the blurry visions now ;)
Great tips, Christy. I never really thought about the last one, “fill the frame.” I wish I’d tried that one more!
You can still apply the tips to photos of your grown-up kids ;) Thanks G!
I really need a better camera. I have had a lot of bad luck with cameras and I thought I am not spending any more sums of money on them, I will just get a cheap one. But oh dear…. xxxx
I tend to just use my phone’s camera, Shey. Those professional ones can be expensive – and then there’s the replacement lenses to buy on top of that! But maybe one day Santa will bring you one! I was going to say maybe the hamsters will do so but.. well.. they’re not always behaving!! xx
Yes you are right Christy. taking natural photo’s are best.. Much better than any cheesy smile.. ;-) as our granddaughter often pulls faces when she knows her photo is being taken.. :-) xxx Hugs and wishing you a lovely week
Hehe I can totally see kids pulling funny faces like your granddaughter does when they know it’s seconds away from “click” time ;) Hugs and thanks for the great environmental discussion earlier too! xxoo Enjoy your week
:-) Big smiles and you too enjoy xx