Do you know the ONE setting you should change on your camera to improve focus?
Photographing kids doesn’t, for me, always work as planned. Yesterday I took my daughter to the beautiful botanic gardens here in town, envisioning scores of lovely pictures with perfect smiles, cute poses, and “I love you Mommy” eyes looking right at my camera.
What was I thinking? She’s two.
She clearly had different plans in mind. So I followed her, and photographed whatever she found interesting.
Those who are pros at photographing kids will tell you to get down on the child’s level and see things from her perspective. I tried to keep that in mind yesterday when looking for shots to take.
Her eyes gave me direction on where to focus.
And seeing the gardens through my daughter’s eyes produced much more authentic and natural poses to record in our memories.
Interestingly, I watched a video last night by Elizabeth Halford called “Shooting My Kids – How One Mamarazza Photographs Her Own Kids.” I’ll tell you more about the video later, but for now, one thing she taught me was to let kids lead and guide their photography sessions. I didn’t know that’s what I was doing yesterday, but I sure am glad to have professional confirmation that I did the right thing.
For more information on a professional’s tips to photographing children, check out this interview with Robert Shults.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
So true! It seems I get the best shots of my boys and other’s children when I have no expectations in mind and just snap away!
Rhonda´s last [type] ..FALL SCENES
So cute Erin! I especially love your blurred shot. Good stuff!
Love the suggestions! Just had my first experience while trying to take photos of my friend’s 2-1/2 year old son this weekend. Never stopped moving – but I showed him every shot I took so he knew what I was doing. Then he started to get into it!
Realized that one of the things I should have done was set the camera on continuous shooting rather than single shot mode. Might have had a better chance!
But I did catch some great portrait shots! And a whole lotta blurry ones!
- Jeff
Jeff´s last [type] ..It’s Monday…up we go…
That’s a great point Jeff! My camera is always set to continuous, and I use it even with grown-ups!
These are great and you’re so right….when they get to lead it usually ends up with much happier kiddos and much better shots! These will be so special to you both~
wayoutnumbered´s last [type] ..My New Love
Thanks everyone for your kind comments!
Hey thanks for the shout out! Glad you enjoyed the DVD