We take so many photos of our kids these days. Having our phones at our disposal is a blessing and a curse for multiple reasons. With easy access to a camera at all times, a lot of people rarely think about how they’ll take a photo. However, when our parents took photos of us, they did so with intention every time. So how do you take better phone photos of your kids? Here are my 5 tips to taking intentional, Instagram-worthy photos of your kids this summer.
Take Better Cell Phone Photos of your Kids:
1. Find Good Lighting
Just because our phone will adjust to all lighting scenarios, doesn’t mean all lighting is good lighting. The best place to take a good photo of your kids in the shade. Shade creates an evenly lit space as opposed to the high noon, directly overhead sunlight. Direct sunlight can create deep shadows on the face, losing details about your little that you love. Also, you’ll want to look out for spotty, speckled light. These are patches of light that create bright spots on your kids and don’t result in the best photos. If you can’t find shade try to turn so they are not looking into the sun.
2. Don’t Zoom
It’s so easy to pick up your phone and zoom in quickly to get the photo you want. And I know it’s not always easy with kids but if you can, get closer instead of zooming. Mobile phone cameras were not built to capture clear details while zoomed in. It’s always better to just move your feet closer to your little one than to risk pixelating your image with the zoom. If you ever print images from your phone, stop using this feature. Move your feet closer to your little one, it may even help you find a better angle!
3. Change your Angle
Along the same lines as moving your feet, changing your angle will help to improve your photos. It’s easy to take out your phone, snap the photo for your normal standing position. However, check out the difference between these two photos of Rosie about to go down the slide. If I had not changed my angle from my normal height and phone level it would not be nearly as cute.
Moving in, out or changing the angle could also help remove or hide unwanted background clutter too. Next time you take a photo of your little one try getting on down to their eye level. This is always a win!
4. Give them Something to Do
Movement helps create more natural photos instead of the ‘say cheese’ silly smiles that we were used to seeing. Ask your little one to run towards the camera, go down the slide, blow bubbles or whatever other fun summer activity you have going on. You’ll love these action pictures and let’s not forget to mention how much easier this will be to keep them in one place long enough to get a good photo. Trying to get that natural smile? Try asking them to say a silly word instead of cheese. In this photo of Rosie on the giraffe, I asked her to say “pickles” which resulted in a little giggle.
Bonus Tip: Leave Live Mode on during the action shots!
5. Add a Prop for Extra Sweetness
Take a favorite book outside and capture them reading in a favorite spot. Add a pretty flower they found and ask them to show the camera or smell how pretty it is. Ask them to show you how good they are on their bicycle and get on their level for an awesome picture to document their new summer skills. Document the first watermelon of the summer or a Popsicle on Forth of July. (Did you just read that like Legally Blonde?)
Don’t let this stop you from taking the quick daily photos to capture a memorable moment. A perk of the constant access to a camera! I hope this helps you be a little more intentional and take better phone photos of your kids. Hopefully, capture a few frame worthy summer pics that the grandparents will love!
Find this post helpful? Jump on my mailing list to get more information like this or follow along with me on Instagram and Facebook.
