How to Take Better Pictures of Your Kids | Orange Beach Family Photographer

Hi mama! I see you there, cell phone in hand taking pictures of your child(ren). This post is for you. Even though I still want you to book me for your next Pensacola family portrait session, I want YOU to be able to capture all of those great everyday moments of your kiddos lives!
​What follows are 6 of my best, quick tips on how to take better pictures of your kids.

1. Don't "say CHEESE" - Say "Pickles"

Close your eyes and picture the face your child makes when they say "cheese."
The picture on the left is the one my child makes - super squint-y eyes, forced "grin," (usually also includes a crazy crinkled nose), an obviously fake all around. 
​Now, have your child say "pickles." They'll think you're dumb. But they'll laugh.
True smile. No "cheese face."
​You're welcome

2. Get Low

Get down in the sand, dirt, water, floor, etc with your kid. Getting down on a child's level allows you (camera and all) to become a part of their fun.
​I have NEVER left a beach session covered in less sand than my little clients.

*If you started humming Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz when you read this title, we need to be friends in real life!

3. Have Them Interact

- with each other, with the environment, something

4. Use a Helper

Your helper is there to get the kids to look at you, wrangle the one who tends to wander, quickly brush stray hairs out of someone's eyes, etc. Their most important job is to be your spotter! Safety is my number one priority and anytime I'm at all worried, I have one (or both) of the parents "spot" their child. The picture below is a perfect example of "what actually happened" vs. the final image.

5. Change Up the Angle

You've gotten down on the ground with your kiddo. Now try taking a picture from above above your child looking down. This is a great way to showcase their face and their youth!

6. Let Them Be Kids

That one's pretty simple. Let them play, or get sandy, or dirty, or wet (or all of the above). If there's a tree, let them climb it - this is how you get genuine smiles!

And one last thing. make sure you end up in some of those pictures too!