One of the hardest tests of a good photographer is the ability to capture good photos of children.
For every well-focused picture of a happy, smiling child, there are dozens of blurry pictures of wild-haired, screaming, snot-faced little terrors that would do better haunting your dreams than filling your photo albums.
So what can you do to maintain happy children and peaceful dreams, while still getting the perfect shots for your family Christmas card?
Here are 6 tips that will help you become a photographic legend among the other parents:
1. Abandon all expectations
When I’m hired by families to take their photos for gifts or family mementos, I go into it knowing I’m playing by a different set of rules than I would with adults. Kids are wild, unpredictable savages, and good pictures can be rare. So take lots and lots of them, and hope for the best.
2. Be patient
Children feed off of your emotions. If they see you becoming frustrated or angry, they will react negatively, and the tears and noses will begin to flow freely. Keep a positive attitude, and take breaks when they start becoming fussy.
3. Set up the camera beforehand
We all know children have the attention span of a goldfish. Getting them to sit in one place for any length of time is a challenge. Making them wait while you frame your shot, set your exposure, and program your flash is nearly impossible. Do these things first, so when you corral your herd in front of the camera, you are only a button press away from a good family portrait.
4. Use a high shutter speed
This is easily adjustable in most DSLR cameras. If you are using a point-and-shoot camera, use the “sports” or “action” setting. Increasing the shutter speed decreases the chances that your shot will be blurry. Be careful about using this setting indoors, though. The increased shutter speed usually means a higher ISO setting, which can introduce unsightly graininess, called “noise”, into your picture.
5. Turn on the TV
This may seem counter-intuitive, but think about it: when is the only time you can get your kids to sit still and stare in one direction for any length of time? Take your skills to the next level by putting a funny show on your laptop and setting the camera up just behind the screen. The kids will be smiling and laughing, and it’ll actually look like they’re smiling at the camera.
6. Break all the rules
Who says you have to take normal pictures of your kids, anyway? Some of the best pictures I’ve ever taken of my own children are when they are busy playing or exploring the world, completely ignoring the fact that I’m there. Getting pictures of them in their natural environment captures their spirit in a way that no awkwardly posed, matching-outfit, fake-background family portrait ever will.
Why not share some of your own experiences with wiggly kid photography? I’d love to hear some of your stories in the comments. Happy shooting!
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