April 2014

Kids grow up so fast. It seems like one day they are small and the next they are off to college. That is why it is so important to take tons of photos of them while they are growing up. The only problem is that kids never seem to want to sit still long enough to get a good photo. They always want to be running around and playing with their friends instead of having their picture taken. There are many ways of getting kids to pose for the camera, such as bribing them with candy or telling them it will be fun, but there is one technique that works better than all the rest: perfectly timing your shots so you can get a candid photo when they aren’t looking. Here are 7 steps for perfectly timed photos of your kids:

1.Pick the Right Camera

2.Choose the Perfect Photo Location

3.Dress Your Kids in Cute Clothes

4.Tell Your Kids You Are Taking a Photo

5.Hide Your Camera

6.Wait For the Perfect Moment

7.Take As Many Photos As Possible

I don’t know what it is about perfectly timed photos of our kids, but they are hilarious. The expressions, the poses, the faces; all of it. This is one of my favorite things to capture as a photographer.

Most of the time I’m usually in the right place at the right time and I just shoot, but there are times when I need to set up for a shot. Here are 7 steps to help you get those perfect shots!

1. Pick your spot – Set up in front of a plain wall or simple backdrop (like a bed sheet) so there’s nothing that will distract from your little guy

2. Get their attention – Make funny noises or silly faces (or anything else that makes them laugh) to get their attention and capture that funny expression

3. Get on their level – Get down on their level so you’re not looking down on them

4. Shoot lots – Take LOTS of pictures because they can change expressions pretty quickly!

5. Shoot in burst mode – Turn your camera’s burst mode on if you want to take even more pictures; it will take multiple photos with each click of the shutter button

6. Set your focus point – Focus on your child’s eyes and make sure it’s set correctly

Step 1: Have kids.

Step 2: Let your husband take the photos.

Step 3: Wife of husband frames the shot.

Step 4: Wait until kids are distracted and/or fighting and/or arguing with each other, etc.

Step 5: Press shutter right before everything falls apart. You may need to press shutter several times in quick succession.

Step 6: Celebrate success by making a fun picture of all the perfectly timed photos of your kids that you took while they were distracted, fighting and/or arguing with each other, etc! (Note: I used the app Rhonna Designs for this part.)

Here are some of the outtakes from our recent photo shoot that led up to these perfectly timed photos:

I have a hard time getting good photos of my kids, especially at the park. They are always running around, and by the time I pull out my phone they are in a completely different place!

Step 1: Decide How Long You Want to Wait

Step 2: Set Up a Space with Seating

Step 3: Take Your Pictures Early

Step 4: Make it Fun

Step 5: Set the Scene

Step 6: Tell the Truth

Step 7: Save it for Next Year

Step 1: Get the equipment

Step 2: Choose your moment

Step 3: Be prepared

Step 4: Be quick!

Step 5: Shoot, shoot and shoot some more!

Step 6: Don’t get discouraged

Step 7: Post your favorites

1. Use natural light

2. Use your camera’s continuous mode

3. Stay in range

4. Practice makes perfect

5. Don’t be afraid to get silly

6. Try different perspectives

7. The best time is now