Thirteen Tricks of the Trade For Taking Great Photos of Children
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Get down low. Way low down. Getting on their level will give you a great angle; the angle of childhood. -
Don’t worry about always getting a smile. Sometimes the best photos are those that are serious or even sad. Life’s not all smiles, why should photos always be, too? 
Shoot from up above, looking down. Another great angle that oozes a child’s whimsical nature.
Document the love of a child. Take pictures of her in her princess dress, twirling around; take pictures of him with his wooden trains; take pictures of them painting!
Capture moments of love between siblings or friends. Sneak in on a board game, or a Lego building session or reading time. Remember to get down low or shoot from above.- Let kids photograph kids. This will give you the ultimate renewed perspective.
Focus in on a specific part of your child, like their eyes, hands, or feet.
Action shots rule! Shoot a trampoline jumping session, or a hand-stand, or a soccer scrimmage, or a snowball fight; the possibilities are endless.
Spontaneity also rules. Don’t worry about setting up a shot. Just be prepared to capture it.- If you are going to do a specific “photo shoot” make sure the child is rested, fed, and in a good mood. There’s nothing like a cranky toddler. That is unless you want to capture that (see #2).
Get. In. Close. Children are expressive, and getting in close will allow you to document their smiling eyes, their engaging grins, and their total personality.
For outdoor photos try to take them in the early morning hours or right before sunset. The lighting will be on your side, helping you bring forth a natural quality to the portrait.
Have Fun! Children love to have fun and that will give you genuine happiness that will be saved for generations to come.
[Secret Agent Mama is not new to Thursday Thirteen. In the past she's been an avid "Thirteener," always coming up with interesting ways to contribute. Stay tuned for more photography themed Thursday Thirteens.]
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Thanks for the great tips. I love taking photos but am still an ameteur, so I can use all the help I can get.
Wonderful tips, and even better photos! Thanks for a great TT
Great tips. Especially #2, people try so hard to get a smile, (I’m probably guilty of this too) but the candid shots are sometimes the best. Thanks for stopping by mine. Happy TT!
All great tips. You are so right on. I try to use all these when photographing my wild little one!
Such great tips and such great shots.
Thanks for sharing these tips with examples. Methinks I’ll focus on #6 and 11 first ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
I think I knew that now just to remember to do that — I love your shots of the kids. Good tips Mishelle.
woo hoo….you know I love snapping children.
great tips! You rock the party!
One good tip that I have heard to keep a small child standing still if you want to pose them is to have them stand in a small bucket of water. It keeps them still and happy and you can just crap the bucket out of the photo. Cute idea.
What a wonderful list! I am always lamenting my lack of photography skills, but this gives me some new ideas. Now I just have to figure out how to connect the camera to my body so I have it with me whenever I need it!