Take Better Photos of Kids

If every picture tells a story, then the story of my childhood is grainy and out of focus. My disco-era clothing is lost in the mix of patterned couches and funky wall paper. I’m a tiny figure in the distance. At least, I think that’s me.

But don’t blame my parents. They’d take one photo and hope for the best. Back then, processing film into prints was expensive. Today, we have no excuses. This generation of parents has the advantage of digital technology on our side. Let’s use it. Here are some tips to ensure your children’s memories are bright, crisp, and abundant.

Change your Perspective
Try a different angle. As your daughter admires that lady bug, hold your camera at ground level, tilting the lens to capture her facial expression with the sky as her backdrop. Run beside your kids as they chase bubbles to photograph them in full motion. Try a birds-eye-view the next time you’re at the playground.

Record What Your Kids Love
Sneak a photo of your son playing with his favourite toy without him noticing. Photograph your daughter holding up her art, instead of collecting every painting and drawing in a plastic tub never to be seen again. I’ve even taken a portrait of my son’s cuddly for posterity.

Get Closer
Zoom in to capture the precious details. Chubby feet. Spaghetti-sauce-stained cheeks. A gap-toothed smile. Focusing on a detail conveys how special it is.

Time it Right
Avoid those middle-of-the-day, blaring-sun, squinty-eyed photos. The light from a setting sun is best. Use a flash when you need it but beware of shadows.
Group Shots
Encourage everyone to get close. Hugging is always a good option. And try to make them laugh. Instead of yelling “Say cheese!” – go with the unexpected (I’ve used, “Say guacamole!” at the family BBQ, for instance). But don’t get too creative: see www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com for examples of what NOT to do.


Maximize Technology
Photography software is great for eliminating the creepy red eyes created by a flash. Plus, the right cropping can turn a bad photo into a good one. My kids love to gather round my iMac for the latest slide show.


Make it a Habit
Download your photos off your camera regularly. Create an electronic file system that makes sense for you. I organize my photos by date, but I also have a monthly folder called “Keepers” where I immediately store the photos worthy of printing. Don’t forget to backup your photos with your other computer files.

The best way to take a great photograph is to take many. So get snapping!