With Mother’s Day this weekend, it’s a great chance to set aside some quality time with your children to take some adorable photos. By photographing them yourself, you can capture your kids exactly as you’d like. Plus, you can ask them to do you the big favor of playing model for an afternoon. After all, it’s your day.
Pick the right time. Studios set aside 1-3 hours to take a child’s photo, so you should set aside at least an hour. Your child also needs to be at his or her best during the shoot, so don’t attempt to try right before or after a nap, or when he might be tired or hungry.
Set up a home studio. Create your environment first by creating a studio-like setting in your house. Clear away the clutter, put away toys, and remove anything else that’s distracting from the area, such as plants and chairs. Then use a backdrop in a neutral tone; I recommend a big piece of black velvet. You can use a white wall too (but no sunlight falling on the wall). You’re trying to create a consistent tone.
What to photograph? Ask yourself what you like about your child and what makes him or her different. Is it a smile, a furrowed brow, her feet, how he hugs his sibling? Resist the temptation to say “everything” and get specific on just a few things. Write them down; these will provide inspiration for your photos.
Learn to see good light. Use of light is a key to great photographs. Start by turning off the flash on the camera. Find a decently sized window with indirect light (no sun shining on the floor). Position your child at a 90% angle to the window (no back to window, but shoulders can be squared to it). Make a note of the time when the light will be at its best.
Dress appropriately. Your child’s clothing should be solid colors (no white) without branding, patterns, or writing on it; be sure to use a different color than the backdrop. Depending on the age of your child, you might consider taking a picture of him or her without a shirt or taking off his or her shoes because children’s feet are so cute.
Use props. If there’s something that’s important to your child, such as a teddy bear or blanket, I recommend taking a few pictures with the item to capture the memory.
Enlist help if needed. If you need a second person assisting you to get the child to be more focused and participate, ask a friend or your partner for help. Work on getting your child to connect with you as you take the pictures.
Get creative and experiment. Try framing your images using different distances such as wide, medium, and tight, but don’t forget to pay attention to your background. Physically move in and stand back from your child versus using the zoom lens, as you will better connect with your son or daughter. Try getting in tight when photographing smaller body parts, such as the nose, the foot, etc. If you’re using film (not digital) try some black and white film shots, too.
Jennifer Loomis (jenniferloomis.com) has photographed more than 2,000 pregnant women and families with studios in SF, Seattle, and NY. Her first book, Portraits of Pregnancy: The Birth of a Mother (Sentient, May 2009) is an inspiring compilation of portraits of pregnant women and their heartfelt transformative journeys to becoming mothers.
