Taking beautiful photos of your kids starts with how you see them.
There are many moments (and hours and days) where I feel overwhelmed and stressed by my to-do list, following the trail of disaster left by my monkeys, trying to keep the house in order, pay bills on time and get something decent to eat on the table. When I’m like this, my perspective is not one of finding beauty or appreciation for the stage of life the boys are in — it’s survival. It’s JUST. GET. THROUGH. IT.
“Capturing my cubs” is an incredible reminder to slow down and think of something to do with them that will truly bring joy and connection to our day. I have to be fully present in the moment with them to make this happen. This means instead of stressing over the dough on their fingers and how I’m going to have to clean up a sticky mess at the end of the breadmaking process, I’m seeing the delight in their eyes as they feel the ooey gooey goodness squish between their fingers. I’m seeing the sweet anticipation as they watch it bake in the oven, and the precious moment when they finally put a piece of fresh-baked bread to their lips.
Everything stands still when I am in that moment. Their cups get filled right up, and mine does too. And the end-product is a handful of genuine moments captured forever in images that I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Changing the way you see your kids in day-to-day situations is HARD, you guys! So I’ve put together a few tips to help.
1. Take Notes
Start by taking notes about the habits and rituals that make up your daily life. What are the things you do with your kids every day? This can be seemingly mundane things like folding laundry (my boys love to fold wash rags and towels) or brushing teeth. When you’re feeling like taking some photos, refer to your notes and pick an activity to see with a brand-new perspective.
2. Break it Down
Pick one of the things from your notes and let yourself be fully immersed in it that day, noticing every step as a potential photo op. If it’s brushing their teeth, look at the process like you’ve never seen them do it before. Can they squeeze the toothpaste by themselves? Do they always put too much? Do they know how to gargle? Do they laugh when you try to teach them how? Those are the moments when you want to click that shutter.
3. Get On Their Level
This can be as simple as bending your knees, laying down, or sitting on the floor/ground/bed with them to see the world from their viewpoint. My boys have tiny bunk beds, so it’s pretty rare that I will actually sit on them. Imagine my surprise when I do and see that they have taped up pictures, built little “forts” for their stuffies, or have drawn masterpieces on the wall with markers. It’s also very fun for them when I take the time to step into their world in a way I normally wouldn’t.
4. Try a New Outfit
Putting your littles in a fresh outfit can work wonders for your creativity. The day I bought matching overalls for all three of my little cubs was a game changer – the inspiration was endless! They also loved the new outfits and were eager to try them on and help me get creative with the photos.
5. Do Something New
Take your brood to a place they’ve never been before or haven’t been to in a long while, and watch them take it all in.This can be as simple as going to a park that isn’t in your normal rotation, or a part of the lake they’ve never been in. Do a novel activity like throwing rocks in the water or releasing butterflies they’ve watched grow from caterpillars (highly recommend this, it was magical!) Let your attention be drawn to their joy at being in a new setting or doing a fun new thing.
Once you get some practice at these five things, you’re ready to pick up the camera and shoot.
Some things to keep in mind:
Keep your expectations LOW
We are talking about children, after all. The truth is that sometimes kids just don’t feel like cooperating. Somebody trips, breaks a mug, spills water, etc. etc. etc. and THEN come the tears. That’s just life with youngin’s. The great part is, some of my favorite photos of all times are the outtakes and the moment I did not mean to capture at all.
Keep it fun
Trust me, I have been that mom who put a lot of time and effort into the “perfect” photoshoot, only to have the pressure I was feeling transfer to my kiddos who did NOT appreciate the great lengths I went to to make it perfect. These days, I have exchanged perfect poses for silly faces, games and activities that simply bring my kids joy.
If this got you excited to see your family in a new way, yay! Mission accomplished. The hard part is over, and now it’s time to talk about the more technical aspects of taking great photos of your kids.
Need some extra help? Download this free PDF worksheet with extra tips and exercises that will help you on your journey towards becoming your own family photographer.
