Snap to it! (Part I)

Some of you may know that I have a photography business specializing in kids and families. I even wrote a nice little article for this here publication last year on taking . So while suffering a little writers block last week (it happens!) I asked my Facebook friends what they thought I should write about, my friend (and Odenton resident!) Becky said she would like some tips on how to take better photos of her kids. What a great idea! Thanks Becky!

Keep in mind that these tips can be applied to taking pictures of just about anything like your dog, your dessert, your kid's Lego masterpiece, etc. I'm gonna break these tips up into two posts so you can practice what you've learned and then come back for more knowledge. Let's do this.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. This may seem simple enough, but it's so easy to get wrapped-up in your subject that you don't think about what's behind them. Example - my daughter had her first day of pre-school and I took an adorable photo of her outside in her little outfit. Problem was, she was right in front of my neighbor's Toyota truck so the name is sprawled out behind her in the photo. Not exactly the memory I was trying to make of my three-year-old. So don't be afraid to move your subject so that there's something more pleasing to the eye in the background. Find a blank wall or some flowers or something uncluttered and devoid of distractions.

2. Get down on their level. Your kids are shorter than you. They're closer to the ground. So get down there and take your pictures. Crouch, kneel, lay down on the concrete, whatever you need to do. You'll be amazed at how changing your perspective can change your photos (for the better). And let's be honest - who likes someone hovering over them with a camera? No one. And while you're down there, check-out their chubby little legs, knobbly knees and wiggly toes. Or play a game of peek-a-boo and see what happens. Don't be afraid to take pictures that are a little off-center, show the back of your kid or are even a little out-of-focus. It's about a capturing a moment, not being a perfect.

3. Smiles are overrated. We all want pictures of our kids smiling to prove that our kids are happy and that we're good parents. But really, have you ever been truly happy with that fake, cheesy smile you get from telling your kid "Say cheese!" I can't tell you how many parents get worked-up during a photo shoot because  they think their child isn't smiling or more to the point, they aren't smiling they way the parent wants them to. Your best bet is to relax and let the smiles come naturally. As a photographer, it's my job (not yours) to get your kids to smile or laugh or express themselves in someway. So when it comes to your own kids, you know what makes them laugh, so use it. Some of my favorite pictures are the ones where the child is in mid-laugh and their eyes and nose are all scrunched-up. That's a real moment. It actually happened. So tickle them, make their favorite funny face or stand on your head. As we say in the biz, "Whatever it takes."

There you have it! Three tips that you can use RIGHT NOW to take better pictures of your kids. The weather is unseasonably warm so take your kids outside and practice. And if you've got something that you're just so proud of, share it with me and I'll feature it in a future post. Email it to me at megan@meganevansphotography.com.

Look for Snap to it! (Part II) early next week after the Giants have won the Super Bowl... again...