How to take great photos

Hi there lovely Mums of Greenwich

I’m Andrea, a local lifestyle photographer. I always get asked about my top tips on taking photos of children. So, I’d like to share my answers with you here.

Here are my top tips for getting those awesome pictures you’ve always wanted!

1) HAVE FUN
Kids are never going to relax if you are order them into certain positions and poses and telling them where to stand. Make it into a game, I find the old reverse psychology trick works wonders for old kids “I bet you can’t jump higher than me” or give them the opportunity to be the director. Ask them what they think would make a good picture. If it works, great! if it’s not what you’re after then say WOW!, thank them for their input and say it’s your turn. They are much more likely to cooperate if you are taking turns.
Another trick is to ask them to make a funny face, all kids love pulling funny faces. If they are a bit shy about being the first to dive in, you do it! Once they are relaxed the natural smiles come out. Click away while they are making their best funny faces and when they’ve finished, pretend you are too, but take a couple more at the end. This is the best, tried and tested way of capturing the most natural joyous smile the child has to offer!

2) CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
A photo taken from above can appear domineering, and boring! So come down to your child’s level, roll around on the ground with them. Take one from the ground with them looking over you. Or from behind, or from the side. Varying your position makes for the most interesting family album. TAke some shot through the furniture, or have a half closed door in have the frame, so you achieve a more documentary style.

3) NATURAL LIGHT
This is the only way to go with newborns especially. Turn that flash off! open your blinds and let that light shine through. The soft light of natural daylight is so much more appealing than the harsh washed out flash on your camera. You need lots of light though so make sure you’re near a window. You should be between the window and your subject to get the best effect.

4) THINK CANDID
Your child doesn’t always have to be looking and smiling at the camera for the shot to be great! Some of the best images of children, especially toddlers are when they are in their own world and they don’t even realise you are taking the shot. Keep your camera on you at all times – you wont be sorry!

5) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION,
I dont about you but my house is not picture perfect everyday! So I try to cary my locations. I find a nice light wall in the house (preferably near a window) and I set up a temporary playstation for my boys. (literally just moving some books or toys there usually does the job!) This works wonders – I don’t have to tidy up and I have wall worthy pictures!

So there you have it, just some tips on capturing your little ones, because lets face it…they wont be this small forever!

Have fun with that camera and those kids

Andrea x

http://www.andreawhelan.com
http://www.facebook.com/andreawhelanphotography
http://andreawhelan.wordpress.com

• This reply was modified 117 days ago by  Andrea Whelan.
• This reply was modified 117 days ago by  Andrea Whelan.
• This reply was modified 117 days ago by  admin.
• This reply was modified 116 days ago by  admin.