how to get the best photographs of your littles: holiday, or any | New York City child & family
Let's talk holiday photos. I don't know about you, but I for one have been very bad at the whole holiday card thing. You'd think being a photographer mama, I'd be better at it. Inexcusable, right? I always receive cards from family and friends, but have not sent one out since, oh, forever and quite a few years (5, to be exact). It's not that I want to be a bad friend (or bad mom) - it's just that somehow, the holidays always find themselves upon me, and I am scrambling at the LAST MINUTE to do it all: cleaning, cooking, shopping, tree decorating, gift wrapping.... It might have been better if I were not born with what seems to be a personal procrastinator gene.
Well this year, with all the holiday sessions I did for my clients, it seemed like I should get my personal act together and photograph my own littles for a card to send out. Practice what I preach is my new motto! After all, since the advent of digital photos and Facebook shares, I have rarely printed out any pictures of my littles, and in the process, have lost so many pictures, and oh, so much more than just that. All of that is about to change, I tell you, and if you are like me, it should for you too!
Believe it or not, concepting for others (and also photographing other's little ones who might be willing to cooperate better than mine want to do!) is easier for me to do than it is to do for myself. I had lots of ideas in mind, but with so many to confuse me - guess what happened? I just procrastinated some more!
I found that breaking down my thinking, the way that I do for my clients, works best. So here it is.
1. Think LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION (then narrow it down)!
Yes, location is important - after all you want to know where you will capture your photograph. But when you are looking to capture a portrait, start by thinking smaller, by narrowing down your focus and field of vision. Don't focus on the location as a whole, but rather think of certain spots within that location that might serve as specific backdrops for your images, and ones that are visually uncluttered. After all, location should serve as a backdrop for your subject - your children and family - and not take over your image. It should enhance your story, but it does not have to BE your story. Go ahead, focus and zoom in!
So, if outdoors, think: are there any evergreens there, whether trees or even bushes, that you may incorporate into the theme of your image? are there any color backdrops that may complement or make 'pop' the outfits you have planned? If in your home, think: is there a location that is uncluttered and can set the stage for a portrait: by the tree? by the fireplace? on an armchair or sofa that you can capture solely?
While the images for our holiday card were ultimately captured at Sands Point Preserve on Long Island, you will notice no identifying landmarks in the portait such as the place's gorgeous castles and such, but rather, scenery that could have been present in ANY park. I chose this spot here because I am partial to how reeds and tall grasses, or naked tree lines or green bushes, photograph and stand as a simple natural background.
2. Think about Light
Light is extremely important to how your portraits will come out. Whether you are photographing indoor or outdoor, you will want to think of light as one of the biggest factors in achieving the look of your portrait.
Thinking of the outdoors: yes, while you can potentially photograph any time of day, it is recommended that you capture light that is even. I try to always shoot when the sun is at a low angle in the sky, and actually prefer shooting most at dusk, within an hour of sunset. That is when you get that soft, dreamy, often golden light so many people cover. Shooting on a cloudy day, while not favored by some, will actually result in lovely even light that will let your subjects shine.
Those were the best times of day to photograph indoors. As for the least advantageous: I personally always try to avoid it, but if you have to photograph at noon, you will want to find 'open shade' - a location actually in the shade, such as under trees (watch out for 'dappled light', or specks of light peeking through the branches, that might give your images a weird effect) or under an awning, or in a doorway. Otherwise, the bright strong light may take over your subject and wash them out, may cause harsh unwanted shadows on the face, and make your subjects squint.
If you are photographing indoors, you have way more flexibility. Just make sure you have enough light coming through your windows so that you do not have to utilize your flash or turn on your tungsten (yellowing) or flourescent (simply unflattering) lights.
3. Think about Color & Patterns when thinking What to Wear
When thinking of your portrait, try to think of colors. Think of your background (and of standing out against it), and just as much, think of the colors you will be using on yourself, children or family as you start thinking of your wardrobe. To stand out, use strong colors that complement each other, or neutrals that will blend in with the pop of color. I prefer to stay away from white, and always choose bold patterns (if any). Picking up hints of color in each other's outfit is nice. Wearing identical colors (or identical clothes) - not so much.
4. Shoot form a Different Point of View (theirs!)
If you would like to take better or more interesting pictures of your little ones, you may have to change the point of view from which you are holding the camera and photographing them. Get down to their level by going down on one knee. Or if they're really little (and you're adventurous like me), get all the way down to the ground. Do one better, and try to shoot from below their eye level. In these pictures here, my children are either standing on a rock (which also helped to raise them above the cluttered ground level), or are sitting on a high stone fence. You CAN create interesting images by shooting from directly above them as well. But if you are shooting from a distance and are creating a portrait, again, try seeing and capturing them from their point of view.
5. Play with Props
Props are great to use in your children's portraits, but especially great for your holiday portraits. You don't have to spend alot of money to get some great props. This time of year, discount (from .99 cent stores, National Liquidators, Amazing Savings, to TJ Maxx and Home Goods) stores actually offer some spectacular options at very little cost. If you are lucky to have a holly bush or the like, go ahead and use branches from that as well (just make sure that whatever berry bush you use, you are careful that the berries are not poisonous to your child - this is especially important if your little one is still putting anything and all in her or his mouth!).
And, don't be afrait to get creative. For this shoot, I brough along a wreath. I really liked how it looked with the snowball, but I did not know how to incorporate it in the image to make sense. And then it came to me: why not use it as a headpiece? I think my daughter looks stunning and ethereal with it on, plus it creates a story and ties in the elements together.
Since my daughter was now wearing a headpiece, I thought it would be great that my son would wear one too. I quickly shaped two branches of (fake) evergreens and red berry branches, and created an impromptu holiday-inspired headpiece for my son as well.
Meanwhile, this adorable Santa was a nice $15 find at TJMaxx. Both my kids loved cuddling him, and he tied in the Christmas theme nicely for our card.
6. Mix up your shots - utilize MOTION
Though you may think that 'portrait' means getting a still shot, sometimes that is not the case (nor is it sometimes POSSIBLE to get your little one to stay STILL to get that still shot!). So go ahead, capture that action shot. It may be the most fun or intersting shot you will capture! Bonus: you will have fun too while your little one is being, well, little (and full of energy).
Here, my daughter is jumping off the rock I had placed her on. Mainly to escape her brother, who was about to push her off anyway. Ah, children. Seeing her like this, though, I feel like I have captured not just her, but also the spirit of the moment we were in, and her spirit. To me, that is one of the most important things to aim for capturing in a photo.
7. Let their PERSONALITY (or mood) shine through
As parents, we often (if not always) want our children to play nicely infront of the camera. And it's so very easy to get frustrated when they simply don't want to cooperate. And then in a seemingly viscious circle, children pick up on our energy and become even more wound up and un-cooperative. So stop! Stop trying so hard to change their mood, or to simmer down their wild personality. They will not be little for long, and you will miss these moments, these pouts and tears and clown faces - even if you don't think so now.
At this session, my son wanted to be wild and funny, and not stay still for more than a second (for the seemingly nice shots, I actually had to bribe him - bad mom!). I was really, REALLY frustrated, which hurt his feelings and made him act out even more. And so, I just decided to do what I do with other people's children: let it go, let him be him. I captured this silly image for posterity, and even put it on our holiday card. I feel it captures the REAL aspect of his relationship with his sister, and it also shows him that it's OK to be a little clown. He won't be little for long.
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