Who doesn’t love gorgeous photos of their kids? I know I do! But even though I take pictures everyday for the blog I still was having trouble using my camera the way I wanted to. Instead I’ve been relying on editing to brighten things up. I’ve had a DSLR for over 5 years I still hadn’t figured out how to shoot in manual. Until last weekend!
Enter the lovely Beryl Ayn Young who finally helped things “click” (pun intended) for me. I had the opportunity to take a 3 hour workshop with her at a conference and at the end of three hours I was able to finally take clear crisp photos–even with my camera on the manual setting.
Photo of me at the class courtesy of Laura from Lalymom
While I’ve learned a lot I think my main tip at this point in my career would be to take a class! That’s why I’m so excited that to have to have Beryl who actually teaches photography classes to moms (more about that later) offer to share how to take better pictures of your kids today!
(affiliate links included below)
3 Tips for Taking Better Pictures of Your Kids
I asked Beryl what her top tips were for moms and dads who wanted to start taking better family pictures. Here are her top three tips you can implement today–plus a bonus one from me at the end!
1. Find the Light (and know how to use it)
Light is what makes your camera work. Your camera is searching for light to be able to snap a photo quickly and without ample daylight outside or inside your photos will fall flat. More than simply finding light though you also have to know how to use it!
Make sure the light falls on your subject in a flattering way and pose them in a way that allows the light to wash off their faces. Inside, instead of pointing the camera towards window, turn your child so they’re looking out a window instead. Outside, find a patch of shade where there is still light surrounding you. The shade will keep harsh shadows away but the light surrounding you will help brighten the final photo.
2. Clear the Clutter (no one is perfect)
On any given day it can look like a tornado made it’s way through our living room. But that also seems to be the place we most frequently convene and snap photos. Sometimes, before taking a photo I will quickly survey the area and try to remove some of the distractions (aka: pile the toys in a corner of the room where I am not taking pictures). Also don’t underestimate the power of a ‘real parenting’ image as well. Sometimes it’s just as powerful to leave to clutter in an image to show the true story of what your imperfectly messy life was like on that day.
3. Commit to Practice (try a photo project)
One of the ways I really began to improve in my own photography was by practicing. Every day. Honestly, I learn so much more from my bad photos (even though they bum me out) than I do from the good ones. But each mistake I make helps me figure out what I can do next time to improve. There are tons of ideas floating around the internet for projects to try from longer 365 day projects where you take a photo a day for an entire year, to weekly themed projects, to month long challenges. Pick a time frame that works best for you and start snapping!
MEGAN’S BONUS TIP: Take a class! Can you tell that this tip is from me? It helped me so much more than just reading about photography!
Which is why it’s good that Beryl has loads more to share- and a FREE week long class, which is a sneak peek of her Momtographie course! The free class is the One Ingredient Fix. It started on August 17, and all of the resources for the class are STILL AVAILABLE for self study.
There is also an early bird rate available for people who register for her Momtographie class now!
Earlybird Price: $199 (now through September 9th)
Retail Price: $249 (through September 14th)
Momtographie is a 6 week online photo class for beginner and intermediate photographers who want to get out of auto for good and learn to master the technical settings of their cameras. There are weekly lesson guides and workbooks, video lessons, office hour calls, a private Facebook group and more. The best part about the class is Beryl herself. She is able to make photography something you can truly do and understand.
I’m signed up for the class, and so excited to see what more I can learn! Join me and sign up today!
Sign up for the popular 6 week Momtographie Online photo class!
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