Take Better Pictures This Spring

• Watch the background -- When composing your photograph, look AROUND and BEHIND your subject! Ask yourself, “What is the subject of my picture?” Does the neighbor’s car, garage, etc. really add to your image? If not, zoom in to eliminate those elements or move around to take the picture from a different perspective. Another great way to eliminate distracting elements is to turn the camera ‘sideways’ to the vertical orientation. Make sure background elements, such as trees, are growing out of your child’s head! 

• Place your subjects in good light -- Harsh, overhead sunlight isn’t flattering!! Either take your pictures early in the morning or just before sunset when the sun is low in the sky or, find open shade. Open shade is a shady area surrounded by sunlight (as opposed to a deep forrest or such). Also, avoid splotchy lighting -- you want an all-over even shade like found on the side of a house. 

• Focus -- Learn to use your camera to make sure your image has good focus. One hint; sports mode is very helpful when photographing active little ones. 

• Let them play -- One reason I adore working with children is that you’ll never know what silly, fun, interesting, adorable things they’ll do! Teach your children that being in front of a camera can be fun and a time to let their personalties shine! They’ll be much more agreeable to taking a few ‘nice’ shots for grandmom if they feel they can also have fun and be themselves!
  

My neighbor's beautiful blooms are a tempting addition to a spingtime image, but the harsh 4 pm Carolina sun obscures my son's face. Also, the tree "growing" out of his head and the vehicle in the background distract from the main subject - the child.

When I turned 180 degrees, I found my front porch to be a shady area with light just beyond the stairs. I turned the camera to the vertical orientation to eliminate any distracting elements, and then let him jump for joy! Now you can see his face and outfit in perfect detail, and his personality shines through! (Image exactly as it came out of the camera).