3 tips to getting the best photos of your kids.

This has been an age old problem. You as mommy, have the vision of your beautiful 20x30 canvas on your wall of your little one. In your imagination they are smiling, happy and the world is a fuzzy warm place. Then the reality. You dress them up, prepare them for this Anne Geddes inspired photo that you will be taking and the reality is less than perfect.

But that's the point. Don't be discouraged. Your life is exactly as it should be right now. And whatever you capture, the truth cannot hide from the camera. Our lives were meant to be whole, not perfect.

But, if you are interested in capturing the very best of the moments in your children's lives, here are a few tips to help you out.

1. Make sure there are "catchlights" in your childs' eyes. Catchlights are those little appearances of light that make their way into your heart. That little flicker of personality that you see when you look in someones eyes. Find a big window and point your child towards the light and check out what you see. The catchlight adds the fire to the photo and reflects the soul of the child. An image is lifeless without it.

2. Don't turn it into work. If your child really isn't having fun, stop and do something else. Saying the predictable "say cheese" and expecting authenticity is setting yourself up for less than genuine results. Don't ask them to smile, MAKE them smile. Do something funny. Lose yourself in the moment and get silly until they respond. Remember to take the camera away from your face so they can see you and connect with you in between pictures. They will remember the fun experience and the next time you mention an impromptu photoshoot they will love the idea.

3. It's not over when it's over. Sometimes the best photos we get are at the end of the shoot when we tell the kids we are done. We aren't done, but thats ok. We keep cameras rolling and that is when we get the BEST stuff. Call the shoot a few minutes before you are really done and then be ready when the pure fun happens. Enjoy this process. Don't let it be a chore for you. Relax.

If you want more great tips on getting the photos you want of your kids, contact us and sign up for our one night class, this Wed. Feb. 18th to be held in Welland, ON. Here, we have the time to go into more detail on getting the connection you want, how to use your camera and lenses to their best potential and answer any of those questions you have that will clear up all you are wondering about. Call us at 905-941-5149 or Facebook us here