the easy way to nab amazing summer shots of your kids!

Summer evenings are THE BEST for DIY photo shoots! Grab a fresh memory card and get outside with your kids for a FUN shoot with sprinklers, sticky treats, and fluffy towels.

Here’s what to do:

1. Say “no” to “cheeeeeese.” Please. Please. Please! If you train your children to scream out “cheeeeeeese” every time they see a camera, you’re going to end up with a whole collection of images taken in various places at various ages … but with the EXACT same forced expression. Let your children get accustomed to tuning OUT the camera so you can snap natural expressions. If this is the only piece of advice you follow from this list, you’ll still notice a tremendous difference in the quality of your pictures.

2. Don’t let them see the back of the camera. I know, I know. They WANT to! But every time they come over and see the pictures, it interrupts the flow of giggles and silliness. Let them know ahead of time that you’ll show them all the pictures when playtime is over. With some gentle reminding, they’ll get used to the new arrangement.

3. Don’t interrupt them. Fight the urge to pose them and instead just sit back, observe, and you’ll see the perfect moments unfold right before your eyes.

4. If you’re going to try for a more posed look, try doing it with a conversation. Hold the camera to your side and shoot while you’re talking and laughing with your child. It takes a little practice to learn how to become a hip-shooter, but once you can do it, you’ll start getting awesome candid shots.

 5. Don’t plan too much. Set out a wide-variety of toys and other fun things for your children and then let them go to town. Kids are creative GENIUSES!

6. Try shooting right after supper. Kids are universally less cooperative as the day goes on. But usually there’s a quick window of time right after dinner when a slight burst of energy occurs … and thankfully, it coincides with the lovely summer evening light. That gorgeous light is unmatchable in pictures.

7. Be creative with your angles. Lie down and shoot up. Stand above your child and shoot down. Stand on your head and shoot. Just kidding. Well, actually, if you can do it, you’ll probably get some great shots of your kids laughing!

8. Be ready with a sweet snack when sweetness starts to disappear ; ) Have the snack already prepared and set aside since energy levels (and willingness to cooperate!) tend to disappear faster than you can say “bedtime!”. The snack might instantly buy you more adorable pictures!

9. Bright fun colors scream out summer … but don’t underestimate the power of black and white images!

10. Remember to pull back sometimes so you can capture the bigger picture.

Now what?!

Upload your images to mpix.com, shutterfly.com, or pinholepress.com and make a gorgeous coffee table book. Order one or two extra copies for for Grandparents and other family members.

Happy shooting!

Kate

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