Photo Tips for Toddler Photographs

A GREAT scrapbook page always starts with an AMAZING photo.  But sometimes when you are chasing around a two-year old with a pudding pop melting down his arms, the last thing on your mind is lighting and framing.  All parents know that a photo session with a toddler, whether candid or not, has an EXTREMELY small window of opportunity.  You are only seconds away from a tantrum, a knee scrape, complete boredom, a distraction, or that bully 3 year old on the playground that acts like the lava-hot slide is HER turf.  In other words, you need to move FAST!

GET DOWN

The world looks different from your toddler’s angle and so does your toddler.    Get down on their level to capture those big eyes and adorable faces.  Sometimes this means grass stains on your new “Lucky” jeans, but if you haven’t already learned, being a parent is about sacrifice.

GET CLOSE

I know, I know.  First I ask you to get on the ground and then I ask you to get close?  Chasing a toddler while running on your feet is one thing.  Chasing them around on your knees could be an Olympic event.  But don’t forget you have a handy dandy zoom button.  It is a parent’s salvation for getting awesome close up shots.  All too often I see parents doing the “photo dance” (completely different from the “pee pee dance” but looks similar) trying to get the perfect distance between them and their child.  Unless the background has some sort of significance, fill the photo with your child.

GET OUTSIDE

The best flash in the world cannot compare to indirect lighting from the great outdoors.  I know of some great photographers who shutter (get it) at the idea of using a flash and will ONLY use natural lighting.  Partly cloudy or overcast days are the best (which is good news for the citizens of Seattle) because you avoid the harsh shadows and color washes from the sun.

GET CREATIVE

Kid photos are the most fun when kids get to do what they do best……..be kids.  They do not have to sit pretty, smile, and look at the camera for every single shot.  Let them play, explore, and have fun.  Their emotions will shine through into the photograph.