Photography Tips from a Complete Amateur

Let me preface this post by saying I am in no way qualified to give photography advice! I have never taken a class, barely know how to use the settings on the camera we have owned for a couple of years now, and am genuinely surprised when anyone asks for advice about photography! Now that I have completely undermined myself, I will say that I was lucky enough to spend much of my girlhood surrounded by incredibly talented photography students, professors, and artists (Sally Mann stayed at our house and I actually remember it!!!) thanks to my father. So perhaps all I can say is that I know what looks good to me, what settings I prefer, and what lighting I prefer. Some day I will take an actual class and fully understand what I have loved my whole life.

But for now, these are my tips, primarily focused on photographing my children (my food photography clearly leaves much to be desired!).

Turn off the Flash

One of the things that bugs me the most is the artificial look of a really bad flash. I generally keep my camera setting on the “no flash” setting and take advantage of natural light. Of course, this complicates things when I want to take a photograph in really low light. But generally I am really happy with how my photos turn out on this setting.

Avoid direct sunlight

I have found that some of my best photos are the result of cloudy days. Direct sunlight generally results in harsh light and crazy shadows. An overcast day provides the perfect backdrop for bright colors, really making them “pop.”

Shoot from the hip (or lower)

Some of my best shots have come from times I have shot from the hip or even ground-level. This works for two reasons: the child is unaware that you are taking his picture and therefore acts “natural,” and you get an interesting angle.

Try to un-train “cheese”

Don’t teach your child to pose for the camera or say “cheese.” It almost always results in fake smiles and uninteresting content. I find this harder and harder as my kids get older. Milo sometimes poses or says “cheese” and it’s amazing how different (and just bad) those photos look from the candid ones.

Try different angles

I have become a really big fan of shooting from above. I simply hold the camera up as high as I can, pointing downward, and shoot a bunch of slightly different angles until I get what I’m looking for.

Think Big

Look at the big picture before you snap away. If there is something interesting going on in the background, by all means include it! Sometimes a kid (or adult, or pet) in the background will steal the show… in a good way! Also, don’t be afraid to put your subject way off center if you find the background interesting!

… But don’t forget to think small

Sometimes it is so great just to focus on a small thing, like some pudgy hands working hard! You will miss those hands one day!

Catch your children being serious

Don’t always wait until your child looks like he is having the time of his life to pick up your camera. Boredom or sadness or regret are just as interesting a part of life as joy! Capture those moments too. 

Embrace chaos

Let’s face it. Kids make messes. They are dirty most of the time (at least my kids are) and have snot on their faces or peanut butter on their cheeks. Don’t clean your kid up every time you take a picture because you will miss a lot of great candid shots. Plus, you will look back on those real pictures and remember the reality of life.

 

Take your camera with you

I often have my camera wherever I go. It was cumbersome at first, but now I am used to it and pack lightly to accommodate a bigger camera. I have never regretted having my camera. I have regretted leaving it at home.

I’m sure there are a million other great tips on photographing kids– but these are my no-fail rules. Please feel free to add to this list! I could certainly use some tips as well.

For reference, the camera we use is a Nikon DX, D5000. Happy photographing!