>

By Dennis Evans


You can't put a price tag on great pictures of your kids. The photo albums are what everybody grabs in the event of a fire or some other catastrophic event. Getting good pictures of children can be challenging however. Not everyone has the money to hire a photographer for a formal photo shoot. There are ways to get around the financial issue with the following tips from professional children photography studios Philadelphia parents can adopt for their own.

You have to give yourself and your child plenty of time for the photo shoot. It's important to schedule at least an hour for any picture taking session. If you're taking pictures of a group of children, it may take longer than that. It takes time for kids to settle down and get into place. While the kids are adjusting, you should be taking informal shots. One of these spontaneous photos may turn out to be your best.

Most parents are tempted to put their kids in brand new outfits, hair ribbons, and shiny shoes for a picture taking session. The professionals say this is usually a mistake. Kids will relax faster when they're wearing clothes they are used to and feel comfortable in. Groups of children need to be dressed in outfits that are similar to one another. Blue jeans and white shirts will create a better photo than one in which the kids are dressed in whatever their parents chose for them.

Props can add an extra dimension to a photograph. They add interest, especially when they are meaningful to the child and the parent. A special stuffed animal, doll, or book helps little ones feel comfortable and secure, and may give you an expression you would not get otherwise.

Years later you will both smile again as you share the family album and remember that special toy. Avoid toys that roll or can move out of the frame though. Kids will be after those toys and out of your control in an instant.

You have to be ready for the unexpected. It's not unusual for little kids to have meltdowns unexpectedly. If this happens, don't abandon the photo session idea all together. You can still take pictures of your child. Focus on the feet or hands instead of the face until the episode is over. If your youngster is in the mood to run instead of pose, let him go and take pictures as he runs around the yard or living room.

The setting can add a lot to your photos. Blank backgrounds are great because all the focus is on the subject. You can add elements to the background though that will enhance the effect you're trying to create. Stairways are good for groups of kids.

Standing a child in front of, or beside, an exterior window can create interesting light and shadow effects. You have to avoid backgrounds that are busy though. They take away from the subject of the photographs. The takeaway from the professionals is that the best kids' photos are simple, spontaneous, and personal.




About the Author: