Tips & Tricks for better kids photography. Photographing kids, though fun, can also get challenging. After all, kids can easily get cranky and restless. Here are simple, yet effective tips on how to take great photos of children.
You might be good at photography and may have years of experience under your belt, but it requires lot more skills when it comes to child photography. And the extra skill is not about photography as such, it is more about how to get the best out of the child.
Don’t Worry Too Much About the Settings
You may miss some good moments if you concentrate too much on the camera settings. A better idea is to concentrate on framing and continue taking the pictures.
Switch to continuous auto-focusing mode to photograph the kids playing. If you are using a point-and-shoot try using the sports mode (if semi-automatic or manual controls are not available).
Using the continuous or burst shooting mode is a good idea as it helps you capture various emotions and expressions of the kids at one go.
Use the “live view” mode or your camera’s LCD for taking photos as it helps in maintaining an eye contact with the kids while taking the photograph. If your camera has a swivel screen, use it to show them what you are up to.
Can’t Force Them
This is where you need to be flexible enough, as you just can’t force children to do things, especially if they are not in the right mood. You just cannot take a child to one specific corner of the room just because the light there is good.
So you need to be ready with alternatives just in case certain angles, postures are not working out. Its best to let them do what they love to do. Forcing them will not give you natural looking shots. Try to be their friend, and have patience.
Have Plenty of Props Around
These are best to draw their attention. Using props such as toys, stuffed animals, big sized glasses, will help you to take some interesting shots. Its also a good idea to show them the pictures that you have taken, to keep them excited for more.
Natural Light is Important
Natural light is important to photographing kids because if you have those lights and reflectors around, either the kids may feel shy or they may just get attracted to those equipment and start fiddling with them.
So be prepared to shoot in natural light with just you, the child and your camera. Also, be prepared to go to the kids house anytime of the day and work with the light that’s already there.
More Tips
Here are top tips to photograph kids:
- Get outside (for better light)
- Use window light
- Make them look at the camera
- Use a high shutter speed
- Use a low f-stop
- Capture the moment
- Anticipate their mood
- Shoot your everyday life
- Create a home studio
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