Photography Tips and Tricks

If you have the patience, photographing children can be a joy. Here is how to capture these pint-sized subjects at their best.

Use the Right Lighting

Lighting sets the mood of the photo and can really bring out the personality of the child.

If you want your child to seem sweet and angelic, soft white light works best. This can be accomplished by bouncing your flash off a white wall or reflector. The light that comes through white blinds also works in a pinch.

For more vibrant, bouncy photos, outdoor lighting is ideal. Late afternoon or early morning will give your portrait a nice glow without being harsh.

Be Prepared

Kids are kids. They are going to ruffle their hair and get dirt on their faces. Things happen. You should be prepared for these types of mishaps by carrying an emergency kit.

Here is an example of a well-stocked kit:

• Comb or brush
• Spare hair ties or scrunchies
• A spray bottle of water (good for smoothing down fly-aways and cowlicks)
• Bottled water or juice boxes
• Diaper wipes for dirty faces
• Granola or cereal bars (for kids that are suddenly too hungry to cooperate)
• A change of clothes (or ask the parent to bring extra clothes)
• A coloring book and crayons (so the child doesn’t get bored)

Let Kids Play

Children photograph best when they are relaxed and in their own element. This is especially important if the child is very small or if they don’t know you very well.

Set up a controlled environment with a select amount of toys that photograph well to use as props. Not only will the toys put the child at ease, it will also make the photo special because it will show the personality of the child. This will only work if the child likes the toys, so do some research about your subject.

Another strategy is to take the child to the park. Colorful playground equipment is a great backdrop for photos and what kid doesn’t like a nice park?

Let Them Interact

Sometimes there’s no need to pose a group of children. If you’re patient, kids will group up in imaginative ways that show personality and character. They will also feel more relaxed and will take much more natural pictures.

Most of all, remember to have fun. If the photographer is happy the child will be, too.

You probably spent a lot of money on your digital camera, so you probably want to protect it, right? Here are some simple tips for keeping  your digital camera running well.

Basics

To avoid basic wear and tear, you should get into the habit of doing some preventative steps every time you use your camera.

• Always use the lens cap when your digital camera is not in use. This protects the lens from scratches.
• Store the camera in a cool, dry place, in its storage case.
• Buy a LCD cover for your camera. EFilm makes a very good LCD cover. They attach with adhesive and pop open, creating a glare shield for the screen.
• Always use a lens cloth and lens cleaner to clean the lens.
• Keep the digital camera’s strap around your neck to protect it from falling to its death if you drop it.

Elements

The elements can be the harshest things to contend with when keeping your camera safe. Moisture, dust, and dirt can all interfere with the delicate mechanics of a camera.

Always, always, keep your camera covered while you shoot in the rain. Even if it is just sprinkling, keep your camera under wraps. Here’s a few way to do that:

• Wear a poncho and keep the edges over the tops of your hands and camera while you take photos.
• Shoot with only one hand and hold an umbrella with the other.
• Buy a clear cover made for your digital camera or make one from a gallon sized freezer bag. Make sure to wipe it off if water accumulates over the lens, though.

A plastic cover will also come in handy to avoid dirt or dust blown by the wind during a shoot. In-between shoots, make sure that your camera is stored away in its camera bag.

Travel

Every photographer, whether professional or hobbyist, will have to travel with their digital camera at one time or another. This can be extremely rough on a camera. To protect it, choose a camera bag with stiff sides and a soft interior, such as the ones produced by Samsonite. On planes, always take your camera as a carry on to avoid the rough treatment that checked bags are subjected to.

If you follow these tips, you and your camera should enjoy many happy years together.