So first things first... find even light. What is even light? Even light looks like the photo on the left. It’s found in the shade! Look for large areas of even shade in your yard, but avoid spotty, dappled, or harsh light like the photo on the right.
If you're shooting inside during daylight, turn off all the artificial lights as it can cast weird colors and shadows on your subject! Then open those blinds to let the light poor in! Notice how the photo on the left is orange and dingy looking... whereas in the photo on the right (with the lights turned off and the blinds open), the light is clean and evenly illuminating the subject!
2.
You only need one good spot! It’s tempting to think you need a million good spots to capture your kids well, but one secret we learned as professional photographers is that you end up with MORE great photos when you find great light and shoot a lot in ONE SPOT! Make it a neutral or light colored backdrop if you want your photos to feel light & airy! Not perfectly neutral? No problem, just shoot in the direction where the background will be the most neutral or least cluttered! Notice how all of these photos below were shot on the same neutral chair!
3.
If you live in a smaller home without a lot of clear space, shoot TIGHT! This will help you crop out the clutter and capture emotion better. Just move your feet in closer when taking the photo to crop out the distracting elements!
4.
This is helpful if your child might not smile when you ask them. Some of our favorites: A. Show me your teeth! B. Pretend you just opened the best present ever! C. Squeeze your brother/sister as tight as you can! D. Tickle each other!! E. Sing a song! F. Tell me a joke! G. Do a serious face… (this usually ends in a laugh!) H. For younger kids, play peekaboo or have a favorite stuffed animal to hold up behind your phone!
5.
... that they enjoy! If they won’t even sit still for a photo, no problem! Set them up in a clean space with a few pretty books, a piece of paper to draw on, or a favorite stuffed animal. Ask them questions about what they are doing and be ready to shoot a bunch of photos as soon as they crack a smile!
1.
Lighting is most important...
Pick just one spot...
Get close!
Give them a prompt:
Or capture them doing something sweet...
Take breaks and don’t force it! The goal is to have a fun experience together so give yourself plenty of time!
NOW YOU'RE READY TO EDIT THEM!
5 steps to better photos
of your kids
So first things first... find even light. What is even light? Even light looks like the photo on the left. It’s found in the shade! Look for large areas of even shade in your yard, but avoid spotty, dappled, or harsh light like the photo on the right.
1.
LIGHTING IS MOST IMPORTANT...
If you're shooting inside during daylight, turn off all the artificial lights as it can cast weird colors and shadows on your subject! Then open those blinds to let the light poor in! Notice how the photo on the left is orange and dingy looking... whereas in the photo on the right (with the lights turned off and the blinds open), the light is clean and evenly illuminating the subject!
You only need one good spot! It’s tempting to think you need a million good spots to capture your kids well, but one secret we learned as professional photographers is that you end up with MORE great photos when you find great light and shoot a lot in ONE SPOT! Make it a neutral or light colored backdrop if you want your photos to feel light & airy! Not perfectly neutral? No problem, just shoot in the direction where the background will be the most neutral or least cluttered! Notice how all of these photos below were shot on the same neutral chair!
2.
PICK JUST ONE SPOT...
If you live in a smaller home without a lot of clear space, shoot TIGHT! This will help you crop out the clutter and capture emotion better. Just move your feet in closer when taking the photo to crop out the distracting elements!
3.
GET CLOSE!
This is helpful if your child might not smile when you ask them. Some of our favorites: A. Show me your teeth! B. Pretend you just opened the best present ever! C. Squeeze your brother/sister as tight as you can! D. Tickle each other!! E. Sing a song! F. Tell me a joke! G. Do a serious face… (this usually ends in a laugh!) H. For younger kids, play peekaboo or have a favorite stuffed animal to hold up behind your phone!
4.
GIVE THEM A PROMPT:
... that they enjoy! If they won’t even sit still for a photo, no problem! Set them up in a clean space with a few pretty books, a piece of paper to draw on, or a favorite stuffed animal. Ask them questions about what they are doing and be ready to shoot a bunch of photos as soon as they crack a smile!
5.
OR CAPTURE THEM DOING SOMETHING SWEET...
Take breaks and don’t force it! The goal is to have a fun experience together so give yourself plenty of time!