Helpful Tips
As parents we are reminded of the need to get down to the child's level before taking pictures of children. That's the way we do it in creating a portrait and it will help you get better pictures at home. Remember for most children under the age of 5, their world only exists from about your elbows down. To avoid pictures where the child's head looks huge and their body looks tiny, squat down or stand on your knees when taking pictures of your children. Other tips that will help you get great shots might include:
- Photographing your children while they play...this is when they do the cutest things and you get the best story pictures
- Avoid teaching your children to smile and say cheese They were born knowing how to smile, when you teach them, you teach them to use the wrong muscles in their face, resulting in 20 years of monkey face smiles.
- Instead of having them look at the camera, have them look at you. It's easier to react to a person than it is to an object like the camera. Remember, the smile is in their eyes...not in their teeth. The mouth only accounts for 15% of the smile while the eyes account for 75-80%.
- Don't expect children to sit and hold still while you get ready...they're children...not tiny adults. Have everything ready to go before you call their attention and when they look up and react to you...take the shot.
- Finally if you play games with your child, laugh and have fun, the pictures and expressions will come naturally and you'll have some great shots to remember the day.
With a little preparation and planning, you can create the perfect portrait.
Clothing and colors are very important factors. If you select and harmonize the right tones, fashions and background setting, your portrait will be pleasing to the eye, it'll have a sense of harmony and balance and will have the look and feeling of a masterpiece.
BE CONSISTENT. In a family group, proper clothing coordination is critical. Choose colors in the same tonal range so that no single member stands out.
- Very simple garments, and solid tones, work best.
- Whatever style you do choose, be it casual, semi-casual or formal, it is entirely personal and should reflect your taste.
- There are no colors that are preferred over others (well not really), and you can easily mix tones, but keep in mind that everything is consistent. For example, if you were going with lighter colors and pastels, you can mix different shades of blues, yellows, green, whatever.....the important thing to remember is that everyone is lighter or pastel. Same guidelines apply for medium tones and dark tones.
AVOID: Busy patterns. They are very bright and distracting ie; horizontal or vertical stripes; plaids; appliqués; floral patterns; polka dots, etc ,etc.......
AVOID: Big old running shoes (especially ones that used to be white).
AVOID: Short tight skirts (unless it's a fashion shoot).
AVOID: Tinted glasses. Especially outdoors. It's impossible to see the eyes with them. If you can pop out the lenses or use an alternate pair, great!
AVOID: For men: that 5'oclock shadow.
AVOID: New haircuts. Stick with a cut that is a few days old and is tried and true.
AVOID: Tight white shirts on men with larger bellies.
AVOID: Short sleeves and short pants. Especially for women. Knees, biceps and elbows are best kept under clothes.
Gift Ideas
Photographs are a great gift. Unlike clothes and toys, photographs will never be outgrown or wear out. They are truly recession proof and guaranteed to become more valuable as time goes by.
If you know someone that is having a baby or has had a baby, or a family that is in need of an updated family photo, why not give them a gift they will always cherish? We offer gift certificates or package certificates. The certificate will have their name and yours, if you wish, along with the package they are going to receive.
They make great baby shower gifts.
