1. Choose A Location For Your Photo Shoot
Of
course, the child is the most important element in your photo. But you also
need to choose a location for your shoot.
Even
though the background often appears blurred in a portrait
photo, it’s still an important part of the final image.
So
what makes a great location for photographing children?
Here’s
the good news:
You
can actually make magic out of the most mundane environments.
The
key things to consider are detail, texture, and color.
Look
for a backdrop that adds detail to your photo. If there’s no detail or texture,
you won’t have anything to create that beautiful background blur.
Great
outdoor locations include the beach, woodland, or an open field. You could also
shoot in urban environments, using buildings to add detail to the background.
Even
a deserted parking lot or an overgrown patch of land can make an interesting
backdrop.
Of
course, you can also shoot indoors – which is great for newborn photography.
When
choosing a location, consider how the surroundings might add to the
storytelling element of your photo.
You
also want the color of the background to complement the subject. This means you
might need to think about the color of your subject’s clothing.
For
instance, if you’re shooting against a green field or trees, you can make your
subject pop by dressing them in a contrasting color such as red.
Now,
choosing a good backdrop is important. But you also need great light.
Read
on to discover how to capture incredible light when photographing children.
2. Shoot In Soft Natural Light
Good
light will add a magical quality to your photos.
The
same location can look completely different in different kinds of light. And
certain kinds of light are more flattering on your subject than others.
So,
what kind of light is best for children photography?
First
of all, I love to shoot in natural daylight. There’s no need for expensive
studio lights or flash guns.
And
the best kind of light is soft or diffused light. This type of light softens
details and is flattering on the skin.
It
also softens the overall mood of the photo, which is perfect for creating
magical photos of children.
So,
how do you ensure the light is soft in your portrait photos?
First,
you could shoot during the hour before sunset. When the sun is low in the sky,
the light is soft and the colors are beautifully warm.
However,
this time of day isn’t always the best time for
children. If sunset is around bedtime, you’re unlikely to have a happy child to
photograph!
So,
another option is to shoot early in the morning – before the sun is too high in
the sky.
When
the sun is high in the sky, you’ll get harsh shadows on your subject. And the
bright light will make the child squint.
If
you need to shoot during the middle of the day, find an area of dappled shade.
For
example, you could position your subject beneath some trees or shrubs.
Make
sure the child is positioned in a pocket of light that’s being diffused by the
foliage or trees above. (You don’t want the child in dark shadow.)
I
call this the “spotlight technique.” And it’s perfect for illuminating your
subject in the middle of the day.
Just
be careful that the shadows from the dappled light don’t fall on the child’s
face or head.
Of
course, clouds and fog will diffuse and soften the light. So even in bad
weather, you can capture beautiful portraits with a soft, dreamy atmosphere.
For
indoor photography, all you need is a room with a window.
Just
make sure you don’t have direct sunlight coming in as this can create harsh
shadows on your subject.
Remember,
you want the light to be soft and even.
If
you shoot in soft natural light, your photos will be stunning!
3. Use Backlight Or Sidelight For Children
Photography
Most
people think it’s best to have the sun behind you when taking photos.
But
for beautiful child portraits, this isn’t the case.
If
the sun is behind you, it will shine directly onto your subject’s face. This
will cause the child to squint – and you definitely don’t want that.
Bright
light on the face of your subject can also result in the skin being
over-exposed (too bright).
So
where should you position the light in relation to your subject?
I
love to backlight my subjects. This means that the light comes from behind the
child.
Backlighting
results in magical images with a gorgeous glow around your subject.
For
best results, ensure the sun doesn’t dominate the scene.
You
could position the sun behind your subject or behind other objects in the
scene. Or compose your shot with the sun slightly out of the frame.
Keep
moving around and changing your shooting angle until you find a position that
works.
Shooting
from low down is a great way to get the subject to block the sun when it’s low
in the sky.
Shooting
towards the bright light can sometimes result in your subject appearing as a
silhouette. If this happens, try to ensure the subject is blocking the sun.
You
should also set your camera’s Metering setting
to Spot Metering. Then
ensure you set the focus point on the subject’s face. The camera will then
expose correctly for the child’s face.
If
your subject still appears as a dark silhouette, change your position so that
the sun is illuminating the subject from one side.
This
is called side lighting. And it’s a great way to light up your subjects if
shooting into the sun is challenging.
Remember,
the direction of the light can make a huge difference to your photos.
So,
always take note of where the light is coming from. And choose a shooting
position where the subject is illuminated from the back or side.
4. Include Some Interesting Props
Props
are a wonderful tool for improving your children photography.
They
add visual interest to your photos. They help you tell a story. And they keep
older babies and children entertained during the photo shoot.
So,
what kind of props work well for children photography?
When
photographing newborns, you’ll need props for posing the baby. It could be a
bowl, a basket, or even a cushion covered with a soft blanket.
You
can then use other props, such as flowers or soft toys, to decorate the scene.
For
older babies and children, there are so many different props that you could
use.
Great
examples include toys, teddy bears, balloons, cakes, lanterns, and flowers.
Try
to keep the props context-appropriate. For example, if you’re shooting at the
beach, give your subject some large shells to play with. If the child has a
favorite toy, they could bring that along to use as a prop in the photo.
When
choosing props for your shoot, think about color and how it will look in the
final image.
Props
that blend in with the overall color scheme of the photo are perfect. But you
can also use props to add a contrasting pop of color.
Remember,
props can be very simple. But they can have a big impact on the final image.
So
choose your props carefully. And ensure they add to the story of the photo.
5. Capture Natural Poses & Emotions
Getting
children to pose for photos is difficult. And it usually results in unnatural
poses and forced smiles.
So
how do you capture natural poses and expressions that show the real emotion of
childhood?
The
trick is to not ask
your subject to pose or smile! Instead, try giving the child direction with
simple, encouraging instructions.
Make
them feel at ease by talking to them gently.
Tell
them you’re going to have great fun together.
Ask them questions. Encourage them to play.
Once
the child feels at ease, they’ll start moving around more naturally. And you’ll
be able to capture real joy and emotion as they play.
Of
course, for newborn photography, you’ll need to pose the baby yourself.
For
best results, you want the baby to be sleeping. This allows you to capture the
serenity of those first few weeks after they’re born.
Gently
lay the baby down on a soft blanket. Curl them up, keeping their hands and feet
visible.
Or
wrap the baby in a blanket with just their face and hands on show.
A
good posing trick is to place the baby’s hands under the chin to keep their
head propped up.
Once
the baby is in the perfect position, take lots of photos from different angles.
This allows you to capture many different shots from just a single pose.
6. Choose A Suitable Lens Or Focal Length
What’s
the best
camera lens for children portrait photography? What
focal length should you shoot at?
There’s
actually no single best lens or focal length. It all depends on what kind of
shots you want to capture.
Do
you want to capture a wide angle shot with plenty of scenery around your
subject?
If
so, a 35mm lens or focal length is perfect.
35mm
is also great for shots where you want to look down at your subject from above.
For
close-up headshots, my favorite lens is the 85mm.
This
lens allows you to capture close-up photos without needing to get too close to
the subject.
Keeping
your distance allows you to capture more natural shots as you’re not intruding
on the child’s space.
You
could also use a 100mm lens if you want to shoot from even further away.
If
you’re shooting portraits indoors, a 50mm lens is perfect.
For
the sharpest
pictures, I love to use prime (fixed) lenses. But if you
don’t have a prime lens, you can change the focal length by zooming in or out
on your zoom lens.
7. Use A Wide Aperture For Beautiful
Background Blur
How
do you capture the beautiful blurry backgrounds that you often see
in portrait photos?
It’s
actually very easy. You just need to use a wide aperture.
Aperture
refers to the size of the opening in the lens. The wider the aperture, the
shallower the depth of field will be.
A
shallow depth of field means that only a small portion of your image will be in
sharp focus while the rest appears blurred.
So,
how do you change the aperture setting on your camera?
First,
you’ll need to set the mode dial to either Aperture Priority mode (A or AV) or Manual mode (M).
If
you’re not familiar with full Manual mode,
I’d recommend using Aperture
Priority mode.
This
mode lets you set the aperture value, while the camera sets the correct shutter
speed for you (more on shutter speed later).
Then
use the thumbwheel to adjust the aperture. You’ll see the aperture value change
on the screen.
(The
precise method for adjusting your camera
controls will vary from model to model. So you may need
to consult your camera manual for specific instructions.)
Aperture
is measured in f/stops, so you may see the letter F next to the
aperture value on your screen.
The
lower the f/number, the wider the aperture will be. So for a shallow depth of
field, you need to use a low f/number.
I
usually use an aperture value somewhere between f/1.8 and f/2.8.
However,
keep in mind that the maximum (widest) aperture will vary from lens to lens.
The maximum aperture (lowest f/number) is usually displayed on the front of the
lens.
If
your lens doesn’t go as low as f/1.8, then just use the lowest f/number
available for your lens.
If
you’re purchasing a new lens, it’s worth checking its maximum aperture.
Remember, the wider the aperture (the lower the f/number), the blurrier the
background will be.
8. Ensure Your Subject Is In Sharp Focus
When
you shoot with a wide aperture (low f/number) only a small portion of your
image will be in sharp focus.
Therefore,
it’s essential that the child is in focus.
If
you get the focus wrong, the background might be in focus while the child
appears blurred.
For
the most accurate focus, I advise using Selective
Focus. (Consult your camera manual to find out how to adjust
the focus setting.)
Selective Focus allows
you to move the focus point to a specific part of the scene. Simply use the
arrow buttons to move the focus point (usually indicated by a small square on
the screen).
In
portrait photography, you want to focus on the subject’s face – in particular,
their eyes.
But
what happens if you’re photographing several people, such as siblings or a
family? How do you keep them all in focus?
The
trick is to keep them all in the same focal plane. In other words, they all
need to be at the same distance from the camera.
If
it’s not possible to keep everyone at the same distance, focus on the closest
subject.
If
you get the focus accurate, your portrait subjects will be perfectly sharp
while the background appears beautifully blurred.
8. Capture Sharp Photos Of Moving Subjects
Children
never stay still!
Of
course, this makes for wonderfully energetic and dynamic images.
But
it can also be challenging to capture good photos of moving subjects.
The
subject might appear blurred as the camera captures the motion. And it can be
difficult to capture the precise moment where the subject is perfectly posed.
So,
what’s the secret to shooting incredible photos of moving subjects?
First,
you’ll need to ensure your camera is using a fast shutter speed.
Shutter
speed refers to the amount of time the camera’s shutter remains open. Fast
shutter speeds freeze motion, while slow shutter speeds capture movement as
motion blur.
If
you’re shooting in Manual mode,
check your camera manual to find out which button or wheel adjusts the shutter
speed.
If
you’re shooting in Aperture
Priority mode, the camera automatically sets the shutter
speed for you.
However,
you can increase the shutter speed by bumping up the ISO. (Check your manual
to find out how to adjust ISO).
ISO
controls the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Increasing the ISO makes the
camera more sensitive to light. And this allows the camera to use a faster
shutter speed.
The
higher the ISO value, the faster the shutter speed will be.
However,
keep in mind that high ISO values can introduce unwanted grain into your photo.
So only go as high as you need to. And check your images to get an idea of how
much grain is being introduced.
For
children photography, you’ll want a shutter speed of at least 1/200 (200th of a
second).
But
if your subject is running, you’ll probably need a faster shutter speed, such
as 1/500 or faster.
For
jumping shots, I often use a shutter speed as fast as 1/1600.
Finally,
you might want to use Burst/Continuous mode
when photographing moving subjects.
You
can then keep the shutter button held down, taking a series of shots in quick
succession.
This
increases your chances of capturing the perfect moment as your subject moves
through the scene.
With
a bit of practice, you’ll probably find you no longer need to use burst mode.
Instead, you’ll anticipate the movement of your subject and press the shutter
at precisely the right moment.
But
if you’re new to shooting moving subjects, burst mode is definitely a useful
tool!
9. Expose For The Child’s Face
Exposure refers
to the brightness level of an image.
And
it’s really important to get the exposure right when you take photos.
You
don’t want images that are too dark (under-exposed) or too bright
(over-exposed).
For
a photo with great color and detail, you need it to be correctly exposed.
So,
how do you ensure your portrait photos are well-exposed?
Here’s
the secret:
Expose
for the subject’s face.
In
other words, you want the face to have the perfect brightness level. If the
background ends up slightly too dark or bright, it doesn’t really matter.
The
important thing is that your subject is correctly exposed.
So,
how do you expose for the subject’s face?
First,
set the Metering mode
on your camera to Spot
Metering.
Now,
when you set the focus point on your subject’s face, the exposure will be set
correctly for that small area of the scene.
It’s
often a good idea to slightly under-expose your image.
This
will help to ensure the highlights (bright areas) don’t become over-exposed.
And you can always brighten up the shadows (dark areas) in post-processing to
make the image pop.
If
you’re shooting in Aperture
Priority mode, you can use the Exposure Compensation (EV) option to adjust the
exposure slightly.
If
you’re shooting in Manual mode,
you can darken the exposure by using a faster shutter speed or a lower ISO.
Whichever
method you use, it’s definitely worth taking a few moments to get the exposure
right.
The
result will be a beautiful portrait photo with gorgeous color and detail.
10. Think About Composition
Good
composition is a key element in creating eye-catching
photos.
So
how do you compose beautiful child portrait photos?
First,
consider the angle or perspective that
you shoot from.
A great technique with children photography is to shoot from a low perspective. I like to get really low – often lying down on the ground and angling my camera up.
Of course, you can also do the opposite and shoot from above. This works particularly well with newborn photography or if your subject is lying on the ground.
It’s
also a good idea to take a variety of shots from different distances.
Shoot close-up headshots. And shoot from afar so that you capture the surroundings.
Before
you take your shot, decide where you want to position your subject within the
frame.
A
good starting point is to use the rule
of thirds. This “rule” states that you should position your
subject off-center rather than in the middle of the frame.
An
off-center composition creates beautifully balanced photos that are pleasing to
the eye.
It’s
also a great composition technique for moving subjects.
If
the subject is moving through the scene, leave more space in front of them than
behind them. This creates a sense of the subject having space to “move into.”
It’s
also a good idea to look out for leading
lines that you can use in your composition.
Leading
lines are lines that lead the eye from the foreground to the background. They
add depth to the image and help to lead the eye towards the subject.
You
could use paths, roads, fences, railings, or even the water’s edge on a beach
as a leading line.
Just
ensure you compose your photo so that the line leads from the front of the
image into the distance. If you put a little bit of thought into composing your
photos, they’ll really stand out from the crowd!
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