Any Parent Can Get Professional Photographic Results at Home

There’s nothing like having your child’s smile immortalized in a well done photograph, or recording their age progression as they change and evolve over the years. Looking back at old photos of your kids is a treasure. Grandparents and other relatives expect a few nice photos of their loved ones every now and then. Photos of the kids make great gifts. Digital technology has expanded possible formats to have fun with: calendars, slide shows, posters, gift wrap, etc. There is no excuse for not having lots of images of the kids!

Professional photo shoots have been the benchmark for quality children’s images for quite awhile. They are convenient and efficient, but they do have their drawbacks:

• They are often expensive.
• There’s no guarantee your child will want to participate (perform) at the appointed time.
• You may not share an appreciation of the photographer’s artistic style.
• Once the photos are done, it’s difficult to get a re-do for whatever reason.
• Even if the photographer is really good they don’t know your child like you do, and that perfect shot that captures their adorable essence may elude even the best.

You’ve probably seen plenty of professional studio photos of kids that completely lack the personality and spontaneity of real children. The portraits may look composed and artistic, but too often they’re lifeless – they make annual school photos look good. If you don’t want your child to be remembered as looking like a museum exhibit start taking lots of your own shots!

Probably the toughest obstacle for parents who want to become capable photographers and record the joys and discoveries of their children as they grow, has been thinking that great pictures can only been taken by artists who have studied for years and know how to operate expensive equipment. That’s just not true these days. With a little bit of patience, education and thoughtful choices anyone can take photos that are much more than good.

Camera Options are Key

While it is absolutely true that very expensive cameras operated by trained photographers can capture awesome images – the kind of photos you see in museums and magazines – you shouldn’t feel you need to invest in pricey equipment to get great shots of your child. Doing a little research on the various cameras in your price range will really pay off when it comes time to make some buying decisions for your photographic equipment. While smart phones and Point and Shoot cameras are pretty handy, your first key investment would be a good digital SLR camera.

These cameras offer very high quality images and the versatility of changing lenses to capture different situations. They require a bit more learning than Point and Shoots, but you’ll be much happier with the results. They are great for your child’s organized activities like low-lit performances, and sporting events where you need the intimacy of a good zoom lens.

Camera Courses are More Pleasure than Work

When it comes to learning how to use your cameras properly and taking great shots, the first step is reading through the owner’s manual. Most cameras may seem simple to operate superficially but are capable of so much more than you might think.  Patience is key; you’ll be able to take good photos with a camera straight out of the box, but really great shots come once you master the equipment.

Fundamental concepts of good photography like lighting, cropping and depth of field are great skills to pick up. You can start with our Digital 1 course and have fun learning while taking some great pictures in the local area.  We also offer People Photography Courses to hone in on those skills for best capturing your loved ones. Continuing your education in photography is fun and really pays off with better and better shots as you evolve as a photographer.

Here’s Some Creative Ways to Capture Those Great Shots

A lot of the photos you’ll be taking of your child will be out and about – at the playground, friend’s house, local ice cream shop, etc. But quite often your child will feel most comfortable and really sparkle when they’re at home. It’s good to look at your house with the eye of a photographer:

• Which room has the best natural light, and at what time of day?
• Which artificial lights offer the best photo possibilities? (full spectrum works well.)
• Are there outdoor locations that make for good photos? (a weathered garden wall or fence will make an interesting background; an exterior wall might reflect the light nicely.)

Catching Your Child’s Development in Photos

Having a fully charged digital camera at the ready is a great way to document your child’s age progression in many areas. Identify some activities that your child is likely to participate in regularly over the years and focus your attention on getting similar shots each time they’re doing that particular thing:

• A close-up of the child eating ice cream at a favorite local shop captures a happy mood and will record developmental changes over time like the growth of teeth, changing hairstyles and facial contours.
• Playing with favorite toys in a particular room of the house over time will reveal physical changes and developing preferences, while the same room and lighting suggests continuity.
• Annual school events offer a great way to document changes. Try to capture the same angle or group photo from year to year.
• Sporting activities are probably the best subject matter for recording physical development. A zoom lens and fast camera are important here. Focus on a particular posture – hitting the baseball, shooting baskets, doing the breast stroke, crossing the finishing line.

Family photography isn’t only about recording your child’s development, it can and should be a fun bonding activity. You’ll need to learn how to effectively operate your equipment, always have a camera in easy reach and look for those situations where your child is being their unique, true self.