Guest Post: Advice for Photographing Children in Nature
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Nature child. Photo by Sarah Deragon |



daunting? It shouldn’t! I’m here to help you out with a few helpful tips. I am
a local San Francisco photographer and I take photos of children all of the time.
I mostly photograph in natural light, so I know what I’m talking about. Ok,
here we go:
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Photo by Sarah Deragon |
- Get a camera
that you just love and keep it with you at all times. I am a huge fan of
Canon Power Shots because they shoot quickly (which is great when you’re
trying to capture kids cause they move a lot and fast), they are super
lightweight and Canon has excellent customer service (inevitable if you’re
clumsy like me and drop it from time to time). - Read the
instruction manual and/or watch videos to learn about the various
settings. Sure, full auto is comfortable and easy, but why not experiment
with the fish eye or perhaps the macro setting. - Follow the sun.
Try not to position your little ones in direct sunlight if you can avoid
it. Direct sunlight causes really harsh shadows on little faces. Put the
sun behind them and get down on your knees if you have to. - Be patient when
trying to capture candid moments. I can’t tell you how many photos I just
have to delete before getting to the one that makes you go ‘wow’! Snap
away and remember that this is one of the benefits of using digital
technology! - Place the little
ones in unexpected locations for interesting shots. See a hollowed out
tree? Ask your son/daughter to peek through the end at you and snap a few
pics. Have them all lie down on the grass with their heads together and
look up at you. Try a few jumping photos – those are always fun! - Think about
photographing the small details that will help you remember the day. Did
you have a picnic? Take a few photos of the food. Find a new favorite
hiking trail? Take a photo of the trailhead sign. Were there particularly
fluffy blue clouds? See what I mean? - Practice the
self-portrait. Stretch your arm out as far as it will go, flip your camera
around, grab one your kids and say cheeeeeeese! - Have fun!
Photography should be something that’s enjoyable and the memories you’re
making for your children are going to last a lifetime.
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Photo by Sarah Deragon |
photographer at least once in your life because it is a fun experience for all.
Besides, you want a killer photo for your holiday card this year, right?
Theres’s a ton of super talented photographer in the Bay Area you’re bound to
find someone that you just love working with!