Do you ever feel like you’ve run out of things to capture? It often coincides with the kids getting sick of having their photo taken! But that’s the perfect time to step back, wait, and keep your eye out for the simple joys of life and childhood, the kind that brings pure joy to the faces of those we love the most.

We can’t plan those moments, so we need to be ready to capture them as they happen. Should we have camera in hand every waking moment? Not necessarily! But keep it somewhere handy. If you have little people around, you can keep it safe by placing it somewhere high but as long as it’s easily and quickly accessible by you, you’ll always be ready to grab it and shoot.

And with that, today’s highlights reel is a collection of beautiful images from our Grads that depict life’s simple joys… read on for some ideas and tips to level up your photos!

 

1. Get Down Low

When taking photos of your kids, one of the easiest things you can do to create more engaging and visually impactful portraits, is to simply get down to their eye level.

Related: How to Take Great Kids Portraits

Getting down low makes it easier for the viewer to connect with the subject, it’s the best way to highlight whatever it is they’re doing, and it makes it easier for you to engage them for natural smiles.

2. Freezing Motion

One of the biggest frustrations for beginning photographers is unwanted blur when they take photos of their kids on the move. The reason is a slow shutter speed which means it’s open long enough to capture their motion as blur.

What you want to do instead is freeze that motion, and you need a fast shutter speed to do it. For a speed of motion like jumping on a trampoline, you’ll need a shutter speed of at least 1/800 to freeze it and get sharp shot.

Related: Intro to Manual Mode

3. Bubble Photos

Kids love blowing and chasing bubbles and it’s a super easy way to capture photos filled with joy!

Related: Bubble Play Photo Tips

4. Backlight

Backlighting isn’t all about shooting at the beach during the golden hour. Step outside your front light comfort zone and looking for opportunities to backlight your subject from indoors using small pockets of low light through windows and doorways.

Related: A Day In The Light; Backlighting Secrets

Head out just before sunset and embrace the long shadows and rim light.

5. Water Play

Whether they’re in a pool, splashing in puddles, or running through a sprinkler, water play always makes for big smiles and great shots! Next time you’re capturing water play, try these tips for success:

• Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion. If you were trying to freeze a speed of motion similar to the shot below, you’d need a shutter speed of at least 1/500, depending on how fast he’s running.
• Position yourself so the light bounces off the water, making it sparkle.
• Make micro adjustments of your own position or the lens angle until you see an effect you love.
• You might get lens flares when shooting into the sun, which is great! They really add to the summer feel. But if they’re not where you want them, again make micro adjustments of your position or lens angle to control them.
• Late in the day when the sun is low, position yourself with the light behind the water, as in the shot below, for a beautiful golden halo effect!

Related: Water Play Photo Tips

6. Interesting Compositions

Try using objects in the environment, including doorways and windows, to frame your subject and create depth and layers. When we frame in this way it’s a perfect time to centre your subject because the symmetry of the framing makes it work.

Related: When To Break The Rule of Thirds

Frame wide and use negative space on the opposite side to give your subject some room for the action to happen.

Related: When & How to Include Negative Space in Your Photos

Get in close and focus in on the details that form part of the story. In this image below those arms wrapped firmly around his softie convey his love.

By shooting around a door, this not only adds depth to the shot, but conveys a sense of intimacy and a truly candid moment.

Capture your subject through reflections found in mirrors, windows, glass doors and bodies of water, including puddles!

7. Old School Play

Don’t you just love the way they have more fun with the box their new toy came in than the toy itself? Make the most of it, this is what memories are made of and let’s face it: neutral cardboard is kinda photogenic!

8. Fun Food

Food opens up so many options for fun photos. Along with the spur of the moment, truly organic photo ops that can come with every incidental meal and snack… when you’re looking for a creative boost set up shots using fun or colourful food such as pink milkshakes in a glass jar, giant lollypops, a big slice of watermelon or, yes, s’mores!

9. Shooting in Harsh Sun

Guess what? You don’t have to wait for the golden hour to shoot outdoors… you can shoot in harsher light, including middle of the day sun! I know right?

You just need to consider the placement of your subject more carefully. Avoid blown out backgrounds by using side or front light. Prevent harsh shadows landing on their face by side lighting or front lighting your subject, using a hat, having them look down or shooting them from behind as in the shot below.

Related: Shooting in Harsh Light

 

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