How to Take a Child's Photo

You can take great photos of your children without the help of a professional photographer. Many parents take their child's yearly portraits themselves and they look just as good as ones done at a portrait studio. The only thing you really need is a good digital camera.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick a good time of day. Plan to take your child's photo at a time when he is well rested and a willing subject. Right after lunch is usually a good time to pose him for some photos.

2. Set up an area for photos. Turn a section of your house into your temporary photo area. Use a blanket as a backdrop and add any toys that you want to use in the pictures. You can also use the backyard to take portraits, ideally in front of some flowers.

3. Include your child in the picture taking process. Ask her if she has a certain toy that she wants included or if she would feel more comfortable taking some pictures with the family pet in them.

4. Place the child in front of a good light source. Natural or artificial light should be placed directly behind the child.

5. Take pictures of the child in natural poses. He will grow fidgety if you place him in stiff looking poses for too long.

6. Snap numerous shots. The main benefit of a digital camera is that you can take as many pictures as you want and then delete the unusable ones later.

Tips & Warnings

• If you go outside to take your photos, it should not be overcast or too sunny. Too much sun can make shadows appear in the photos.
• For a child's portrait, the child should fill up most of the camera's frame, at least 80 percent.
• Make sure that you encourage your child as you take the photos. Making picture taking fun and silly produces better shots.