Use Natural Light
This is always number one. Unless you’re a trained photographer, natural light is the easiest and best source of light to use. Find a large window or wall of windows, or a sliding glass door and place your subject near the incoming light. Play with angles to find the best balance!
You can consider shooting outdoors, but this time of year is still pretty dead and brown looking outside, making for a less than ideal backdrop. If you do shoot outside, try to do so in the early morning light or late afternoon, right before sunset so you avoid harsh overhead sunlight.
Keep It Simple
It’s good to get creative and have fun scouring your home for props, but in most cases less is more! You don’t need a ton of props or fancy backdrops for a great seasonal photo. Even one simple element can create a subtle, beautiful reference to the theme.
Have Fun
If you want the best results, make it fun for your kids. For babies and younger kids, use things like singing their favorite songs, blowing bubbles, or simply making silly faces to catch some smiles. For older children, get them involved by letting them come up with ideas for poses and props. Take turns, doing one shot they recommend, then one that you actually would like to frame/hang/share!
Un-Pose Your Kids
My own favorite shots are typically candids. People often gravitate to making kids look at the camera and smile—which can result in resistance and fake/overly posed looking pictures. Encourage your kids to play, have fun, and interact and just capture them being themselves.
Processing
Experiment with filters and editing on your phone. There are many free options out there and now is the time to play around, since many are complaining of boredom during this time. Like everything else though, don’t overdo it. Filters, overlays, and effects can quickly ruin an image if you’re too heavy-handed.
Reach Out for Help
If you’ve captured the perfect picture but your little one has a scratch or bruise you need touched up, I’d be happy to help if I can! Before any mini sessions, I hear from at least a few mommas who are worried their child took a digger and has some kind of blemish and I always reassure them it’s no worry at all (in most, though not all) cases! Email me at info@havenphotographer.com for help 🙂
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter/Happy Spring! I can’t tell you how much I miss seeing everyone, especially for Easter Minis, but hopefully we’ll all be able to get together again soon! Stay safe, stay sane!
With love,
Holly
