Tips for Photographing your Kids | Using Your iPhone to Document Memories

Can't hire a professional photographer right now? Here are some quick and easy tips for photographing your kids at home. Your smart phone camera has amazing capabilities and is always with you. Take a break from refreshing news updates, and use your phone to preserve precious memories of your kids and family.

 Photography provides you with an opportunity to slow down, especially during this time. You are with your kids ALL day long these days, but let’s take advantage of it. In the middle of all this craziness, we can capture the sweet moments and details. While you may remember this as a time that tested your patience, most likely, they’ll remember it as the best Spring Break ever.

“We can all practice the art of presence using the camera as a tool for healing.”
- Joy Prouty

Sometimes photo opportunities happen completely spontaneously. Don’t worry about perfection and have fun in the moment without trying to manipulate it. BUT, if you are setting up for some higher quality photos, here’s what you can do:

1.   CLEAR THE CLUTTER.

Be mindful of the background. Get rid of the distractions in the background or move your angle so that the focus is on the subject.

2.   PAY ATTENTION TO THE LIGHT.

Indoors: Turn off the overhead lights and use soft natural light when you can. Place the subject near a window so the light falls on their face, not behind them. Avoid using the flash on your phone’s camera. 

Outdoors: Look for shade so the sun is not directly overhead. Bright sun causes harsh shadows and squints. If you can shoot in shade, that is ideal. It’s best to put your subject in open shade.

If possible, avoid having the sun shining at your subject’s back. They will appear very dark in the picture. Move yourself or your subject so the light is on their face in the shade, not behind it. 

3.   GET DOWN ON THEIR LEVEL.

If your kiddo is a toddler, you may be getting your workout in! Engage at eye level. Simply bending down or changing position can drastically improve your pictures. Try different angles! Bird’s Eye View means you are looking down from above and it is a great change of perspective for photos.

4.   TURN ON THE GRID FEATURE.

Compose your image using the rule of thirds. For more interesting compositions, keep this in mind.  Here is another good resource.

It’s super easy to turn on: For iPhone, go to Settings —> Camera, and then scroll to Grid, and turn it on. Try a few different angles and then decide the one you like most later.   

5.   DON’T ZOOM.

The zoom option degrades the quality of the photo.  Just get closer physically, if it’s possible. If not, crop later. 

6.    MAKE IT A GAME.
Anything you can do to make it fun and interesting for them will help produce those beautifully imperfect smiles and laughter you adore so much. Ask them to check the other’s nose for boogers or look at each other and laugh – it works like a charm.

7.    BE SPONTANEOUS.
Capture pictures when they don’t even know you are snapping the pictures. Try not to “say cheese” – cheesy smiles are not required for great pictures.

Keep following along with the blog for more photography resources and information!