Playing in the Light | Vancouver Family Photographer

I recently took the girls over to the park after dinner for a little photo shoot of their own. The evening light was amazing. We had a lot of fun running around in the grass, picking flowers and spreading dandelion seeds. Simple moments that I will cherish forever.

Five Tips For Getting Better Photos of Your Kids

Tip #1: Get to Know Your Camera
What you haven’t read your camera manual from front to back?! Not surprising really most people don’t. I encourage you to read it since knowing how to use your cameras features will enable you to get better results. Where to start? I would start with learning how to turn off the flash on your camera and then dive into the manual settings. Even point and shoot cameras allow you to manually control many important features.

Tip #2: Turn Off Your Flash and Use Natural Light
Natural light is flattering. Camera flashes can produce the dreaded red-eye and tend to create artificial, unflattering, often harsh-looking, light. Look for indirect natural light in the shade of a tree, building, fence, etc. If you are inside use the diffused light from a North facing window. When light shines beside your child, you will notice interesting soft shadows adding depth to your image. Facing your child straight on will create a soft shadow-less portrait. Behind your child, backlight enhances colors and creates a bright backdrop. I urge you to muster up the courage and turn off your flash and use natural light whenever possible.

Tip #3: Get Candid
Posed photos may have their time and place, but candid shots that capture your child at play are often the ones you will treasure the most. It takes patience and a quickness with the shutter release. Have your camera ready. You can also try talking, joking and engaging with your subject from behind the lens or sitting down with your camera during playtime. After awhile your subject will forget the camera and return to whatever they’re doing. If you wait you just might capture some precious moments that truly show your child and your family as they are right now.

Tip #4: Bring It With You
You cannot capture those unexpected moments if the camera is at home and not with you. I’m guilty of this for the simple reason that my camera is big and sometimes I want to travel light. In these cases I try to bring my little point and shoot. I know what your thinking – but I have my camera phone. Just remember even though many cell phones have reasonably good cameras built in, they are usually too low resolution to generate a decent print, making them poor substitutes for a dedicated camera.

Tip #5: Take Lots of Photos
It’s not film. We don’t have to be carefully not to use it up. Digital photography allows us the ability to take lots of photos and edit down to the ones we really love. I find that it often takes 10 frames or more to get one great one. You’ll be happy to have choices when it comes time to edit your photos.