When you take a photo of your child do you realize you could be taking a photo of a future president or Nobel Prize winner or who knows? No matter where life takes them, when you photograph your child, you are documenting the life of a very important individual. Here are some great tips when photographing children.

When taking photos of people outdoors go under the shade so the lighting will not be too harsh. Direct sunlight is too bright where it strikes and casts shadows that are too dark. This contrast is more than what your camera can capture properly. Children are very sensitive to light and will close or squint their eyes. This combination makes for a poor photograph. In the shade the light is soft and both camera and child can tolerate it.

If you take photos on a cloudy day you don't have to worry about finding shade. On a cloudy day the light is diffused and allows you to take photos almost anywhere. Look at your child's eyes if they are not squinting you are ready to take photos.

Remember the Rule of Dominant Subject and come up close so that your child occupies 70% of the image area. Then. Leave a little bit of foot room and two to three times the head room. This will leave you with a balanced and therefore pleasing composition.

If you are taking the photos indoor have your child stand by the window. Place yourself with the camera on the same side as the window so you are shooting across the incoming light. If direct sunlight is falling on your child switch places or go to a different window. Use a tripod so you can concentrate on the expression of the child rather than steadying the camera. It's a lot easier for a child, or anyone, to relate to you instead of a lens. A tripod let's you come out from behind the lens and get your child involved so that you'll get sincere expressions instead of the fake cheese smile.

Now when your child grows up and is famous enough to have a biography written he or she can thank you for taking great photos while growing up.

Get the Picture!
Manny