Having kids of your own may be chaotic, but it’s a good kind of chaotic. And most parents would probably agree that they’d do anything to slow down time so their kids don’t grow up too fast. But stopping time is not impossible, if you think about it, as photography already does that. And it’s the best way to “stop” your kids from growing up — or at least in memories you can actually hold. There is an art to a good photo as they can capture a moment in time that is more than just cheesy grins. Hopefully, these tips can help you take the best photos of your family to keep forever and share with generations to come.
Gear
Photography doesn’t have to be complicated if you’re just starting. Today’s smartphones have evolved quite impressively, especially in terms of camera features. The hobby has turned into an anytime-anywhere kind of activity that you don’t even need to plan for anymore. Smartphones are just perfect for capturing on the fly special moments with your family. When choosing photography gear for this purpose, and you’re just a beginner or have a limited budget, you may want to start with the smartphone first. It doesn’t have to be the most popular brand or latest model. You just have to know the most important features to look for in a good camera phone. The first and most important would be sensor size. The bigger the sensor, the more light it can capture, hence, a higher quality photo.
But of course, if you’re already quite the enthusiast or you simply got more cash to spare, then it’s still a better idea to get a more capable camera so you can take even better quality photos of your family. When you shop, the first thing you’ll notice is the many different digital cameras available on the market from brands like Canon, Nikon, and Sony. For everyday photographs, it’s best to go for something lightweight and easy to wield, like high-resolution mirrorless cameras. These aren’t too complicated and are much easier to bring around than bulky DSLRs. Some tips for getting the most out of your mirrorless camera include buying extra batteries, maximizing video features, shooting in silent mode, buying native lenses, and using adapters to maximize old lenses. Familiarize yourself with those, and you’re good to go.
Subjects and Scenarios
Where better to start than in your own home. No need to overthink. If your kids are still small, then you might want to capture their “firsts” — first steps, first bath, first playtime with the dog, etc. The kids’ playtimes and chores would be good subjects too.
Your days out, when going to the park or the beach, or even dropping off the kids at school —anytime is the best time to take photos. Just maximize the use of natural light, as low light photography will be another great skill to learn.
Shots and Skills
Learn to be creative with shots and compositions. Look at different photos online to check for different angling and framing techniques you’d be interested to imitate. Try the bird’s eye view, low angle, and face-to-face. Also try not to chop off fingers, hands, toes, and feet, for a much cleaner photo of your subjects. Mind the background, make sure it always looks nice, preferably without any photo-bombers.
For lighting, natural light’s still best, so in the case of low light or night photography, you have to learn how to take great photos without the flash. You can start by remembering these three things—higher ISO, slower shutter speed, and larger aperture. Playing with these settings first can help you learn to control the light that enters your camera so you can capture better photos.
These tips are just the start, but learning is best through doing. And in the case of photography, it’s through playing around with your camera. Tips and guides are good, but trust your eye and gut, and just enjoy stopping time.
Please feel free to check out more of our family-related content — from gift ideas, holiday-themed movies, to kids’ educational magazines, and more.
