Can't afford to hire a professional photographer for this year's custom portraits? Well, let me give you a few tips so you can have some great photos to share with your loved ones this holiday season.
Christmas time is the one time when grandparents and extended family expect to see a new photo of your crew. This especially holds true for those older relatives who don't "Facebook" or do everything through their iPhone. So don't fear, I will give you a few tips to shooting new portraits of your kiddos that you'll love.
I have been photographing children for, dare I say it?, nearly twenty years. Wow! I just felt really old but it's one of the things in my life I continue to love and have never lost a passion for capturing new shots. I absolutely love children and I absolutely love to capture the bright eyed looks and smiles of the innocent. I am an artist and love to make custom portraits that aren't like those you sit on the X while employee #87 takes your picture for your $9.95 package.
I really try to put a lot of work into each and every shoot I do. Often times I scout locations for several hours, looking for a new place or a great new background for your custom portrait. This is something that you can do also. If you don't have time or extra fuel to waste, then look around your house or yard. You have different looks and little corners that other people don't have and you can use this to your advantage when taking your photos.
Get down on the same level as your children. Try several different angles and views for your pictures. If you shoot down upon your children, they'll look small and child-like. This is great for a certain look but also don't forget to get down on their level. This will provide a better view of your child.
When taking photos of your child and you tell your kids, "Just One More" then only take one more. I am so guilty of this but limit your photo time so your kids don't begin to hate having their photos taken. I was so proud of myself when I took photos of my children and my sister's children on Thanksgiving. I promised them I wouldn't take more than five minutes to make their portrait and that's exactly what I did. I had them all wear jeans and shirts in the same tone and let them go outside to play. It was windy and freezing, so I worked quick and they didn't complain too much this year. All the while, I got the great shots that I wanted.
So your kids absolutely will NOT take any kind of picture for you this year? Go to your computer and look through your photos you've snapped throughout the year. I bet you will find some great shots that you can put together to make a collage and copy to printer paper or make into a greeting card. So what if your kids were all wearing mismatched clothes? Convert your favorite color shots to black and white and it won't matter, plus it makes for a timeless look. Pull out several of those photos you've taken throughout the year to show a visual update of your children growing and changing throughout the year.
These are just a few tips and have lots more for taking great holiday shots of your children.
Shelly Perkins Photography
www.shellyperkins.com
