Everyone tells you this, but it’s true: children grow up in the blink of an eye.
While you can’t slow time, you can make a point to take pictures that preserve those fleeting ages and moments.
And when we say “take photos,” we don’t mean booking a professional session every season. Raising kids is pricey enough.
With practical advice from Sharon Steinmann, former director of photography at Savinly and a mother of two, you’ll be equipped to shoot your own professional-looking images and keep costs down.
6 Pro Tips for Photographing Kids
Shooting wiggly infants or easily bored children can be tricky. These tips will help hobby photographers capture polished portraits of their little ones for any occasion.
1. Pick the Right Spot
Steinmann says amateur photographers often capture their best images outdoors. If your backyard isn’t photo-ready, consider a local park.
When kids are the subjects, she stresses planning ahead. Scout the ideal spot beforehand and take some test shots using an adult before bringing in the child.
“You want to keep it brief,” she said. “Make sure they’re comfortable. Have everything organized.”
2. Timing Matters
Steinmann recommends photographing children either early in the morning or later in the day — the so-called “golden hour.”
“The worst time to photograph anyone is mid-day,” she said. “Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the sun is high overhead, which creates shadows under the eyes and bright hot spots, especially with light or pastel clothing.”
Hot spots are parts of an image that appear significantly brighter than the rest.
One more tip: avoid scheduling sessions during typical meal or nap times.
3. Think About Clothing
When choosing outfits, don’t pick pieces based solely on how cute they look.
Steinmann advises steering clear of fussy patterns — heavy stripes or intricate prints can translate poorly in photos.
“My recommendation is to opt for solid colors or subtle patterns,” she said. “Also avoid white shirts. They can be too bright and create hot spots.”
She also recommends dressing kids in comfortable clothes so they’re not fidgety or upset during the shoot.
4. Use Your Phone Camera Well
Many parents rely on their smartphones to shoot kids’ photos — and that works just fine.
Steinmann suggests holding your phone horizontally for a more flattering frame, and don’t create too much distance between you and your subject.
“Get close, and if you think you’re close, move closer,” she said.
Rather than stressing about one perfect frame, take many shots. You can sift through them later to pick your favorites.
“I’ll take 20 shots of the same scene,” Steinmann said. “Usually the first few are the best. After that, kids get antsy and less likely to smile.”
If your shoot runs into dusk, turn on the flash to add a bit of light.
And if your phone has a portrait mode, use it.
“It blurs the background and keeps attention on the person,” Steinmann explained.
5. Bring in an Assistant
Don’t try to do a kids’ photo session by yourself. Rope in your partner or another family member to assist.
They can act as a test subject and stand behind you making silly faces to coax smiles from the little ones.
“Don’t have that person stand to your right or left,” Steinmann advised, “because the child will look over there.”
She also recommends bringing props to the session.
“They give kids something to hold or play with,” Steinmann said.
6. Skip Heavy Filters
When printing or sharing photos, Steinmann suggests avoiding heavy filters.
“I think it’s best to keep things simple,” she said. “Lots of filters look trendy now but will seem dated later.”
Alex Rivera is a senior writer at Savinly. Staff writer/editor Tiffany Wendeln Connors contributed to this piece.
