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How To Perceive Magic In Your Children’s Summer Photos So They’d Never Forget Those Moments
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How To Perceive Magic In Your Children’s Summer Photos So They’d Never Forget Those Moments

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The spontaneous and unpredictable movements of children create a challenge for any photographer! You can hack the most common techniques of professional photographers and transform photo sessions from unnerving to entertaining.

Just a few easy, practical suggestions will show you how to capture the summer photos you’ve always imagined. With these tricks of the trade in hand, you are much more equipped to be the official photographer of your family.

Taking photos of children will finally be manageable and enjoyable for everyone – as it should always be.

More info: Facebook

The Perfect Timing: The Golden Hour

When is the golden hour? Also called the “magic hour,” it isn’t a specific time on the clock, but the few minutes just after the sun rises and just before it sets. The sky is redder and softer in color in the early moments of sunrise and sunset than it usually is at the peak of the day and will create a dramatic difference in your photos.

A Simple Location For Perfection

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A breathtaking environment like the beach can yield great photos, but make sure the location doesn’t overpower the subject in your pictures. Choose a simple background, being careful to avoid crowded places where distractions can occur behind your child.

This ensures that he or she will be the main focus and the background will nicely complement your subject. To achieve this, use the wide aperture of your camera and get as close as possible to your child when taking photos. The results are amazing when this technique is used. Your child will be the star of the show, and the simple background will be his or her stage.

Clothing As An Important Element

As with background, your child’s clothes should be simple so as not to create unnecessary distraction. The goal is for your child’s face and personality to shine in every photo. Clothes that have too many colors and decorations make it impossible to achieve this result. Muted colors are an excellent choice, and decorations and accessories should be kept to a bare minimum.

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As a photographer, I know the importance of having picture-perfect clothes for my children, as they are my favorite subjects. You’ll be surprised how this seemingly trivial tip can improve your photos. At Fox&Tales, we design children’s clothing that caters to the needs of optimal picture taking. Stay tuned for announcements of our new styles on Facebook.

Just Let Them Be

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Traditional photography, where the photographer instructs his subject what to project in front of the camera, rarely works for children. Kids naturally make lots of movements and their expressions are usually candid.

Learn how to take advantage of this rawness! Allow them to be what they are in your chosen setting. Make them comfortable. A photo with a relaxed and candid subject is way better than one with a subject as stiff as a board.

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Keep Them Busy With Props

Children quickly switch their attention from one thing to another, and this may prove to be the most difficult issue a photographer encounters in child photography. One trick miraculously solves this issue. Give your child a prop. It can be a favorite toy or a safe object they can tinker with while you snap away.

By giving them a prop, you have a reasonable amount of control over their attention. This can produce beautiful results, especially when you incorporate a prop that complements and blends well with your chosen theme. Props can also evoke natural, candid facial expressions from your child. It will certainly make the photography session less tedious and more enjoyable for both of you!

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Props can also evoke natural, candid facial expressions from your child.

The Goal Is For Your Child’s Face And Personality To Shine In Every Photo

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Be Patient And Just Wait

Admittedly, sometimes we need to have a desired pose that seems too elusive to capture. The key? Do not force it. Pressuring your child to assume certain poses may just trigger annoyance and stress from him or her, making it even more impossible to get the perfect shot.

On the contrary, success is more likely if you follow his or her lead. Allow your child to move around, and wait for a pose that closely resembles the one you desire. More often than not, these natural poses are the ones that are ideal to be prominently displayed as an admirable and memorable piece in your home.With these tricks of the trade in hand, you are much more equipped to be the official photographer of your family. Taking photos of children will finally be manageable and enjoyable for everyone – as it should always be.

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Always Be Ready

This may be difficult at first attempt, but practice makes perfect. Keep your camera close to you every day, ready for those spontaneous, priceless moments. Candid, real-time shots are a photographer’s best work. Usually, a candid shot has greater impact than a well-rehearsed photo, because it captures real events and emotions that cannot be easily stirred up and reflected in a planned and rehearsed photo session.

Allow Your Child To Move Around

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Lilia Alvarado

Lilia Alvarado

Author, Community member

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Lilia Alvarado is a fine art photographer specializing in custom and unique portrait photography. She was born and raised in Tatarstan, Russia before moving to the United States. Influenced by her father’s artistic vision she pursued a college major in fine art and graphics in Russia. Her pathway to photography began after the birth of her twin daughters in December 2011.

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Lilia Alvarado

Lilia Alvarado

Author, Community member

Lilia Alvarado is a fine art photographer specializing in custom and unique portrait photography. She was born and raised in Tatarstan, Russia before moving to the United States. Influenced by her father’s artistic vision she pursued a college major in fine art and graphics in Russia. Her pathway to photography began after the birth of her twin daughters in December 2011.

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Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you! It is different on every image, usually at F2 to F3.2, Iso 200 to 500 depending on the available light, and fast shutter speeds, children move a lot :) Natural light, no reflectors used,

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Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry for not replying earlier. I use Canon Mark III, usually pared with 200mm or 135mm lenses

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Annie Whitehead
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, beautiful images and such wonderful information! You have such a gifted eye for color and composition, Lilia! Could stare at your work all day!

Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you! It is different on every image, usually at F2 to F3.2, Iso 200 to 500 depending on the available light, and fast shutter speeds, children move a lot :) Natural light, no reflectors used,

Load More Replies...
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry for not replying earlier. I use Canon Mark III, usually pared with 200mm or 135mm lenses

Load More Replies...
Annie Whitehead
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful, beautiful images and such wonderful information! You have such a gifted eye for color and composition, Lilia! Could stare at your work all day!

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