Are you the recent owner of a new camera? Or perhaps you like to snap away candidly with your iPhone? We know that parents are often in the position to capture the most natural and candid photos of their children. To help you hone your photography skills without the intervention of a paid professional, we have put together some fun tips from leading childcare photographers in Sydney. Let’s explore!
Get to Know your Tools
If you have a new camera, get to know the settings to ensure you make the most of your new purchase. Play around with your settings and use your owner manual to guide you. If you are keen to get started, there are plenty of online tutorials to help guide your photography journey. From portraits to action shots, YouTube has plenty of tutorials based on your camera model.
Don’t Force the Smiles
A fantastic photo doesn’t always have to be of a child smiling. Take the pressure off getting the smiling photos and simply capture your little one doing something they enjoy. This could be focusing on a puzzle, reading a book out loud, cuddling their sibling or even staring off into the distance. Great portraits start with capturing genuine moments in time.
Be Spontaneous
Capturing great moments comes with always being prepared. If you don’t have your camera handy, you will most likely have your iPhone on you. If you find yourself in a moment where you feel the lighting and the mood is right, start snapping away. Capturing your children in a moment of play or engagement with relatives make the sweetest memories. Discreetly taking photos while people aren’t looking at the camera is an easy way to capture real moments with great feeling. Once the photos are taken you can then focus on editing them by either cropping or adding a filter. More on this below.
Crop the Shots
If you have an amazing shot of your child but there are lots of other children in the background, for example if you are at the beach or playground, zoom in and crop the shot. By eliminating the background noise, you can create a focal point just like a professional portrait.
Filters
To create a focal point, and reduce background noise, a black and white filter does wonders. By eliminating the distractions of colourful toys, play mats and clothing, a black and white filter allows the viewer to focus on your little one’s face and their expression. If in doubt, go black and white!
If you are considering a photography day at your centre, childcare photographers from Fotek in Sydney offer their services to daycares and preschools across Sydney. With decades of experience, Fotek's staff ensure children feel comfortable and confident in natural smiles and timeless portraits. Check out some of our recent work with local childcare centres on the Fotek website: https://www.fotek.com.au/gallery