Time Is Running Out

March 19, 2010

As I have mentioned in previous posts Canvas on Demand has a special running this month where they will give you an additional 12% discount during the month of March, 2010, by using the coupon code “CODAFFNEWS0310″. Just enter the code when you go through checkout.

Over the years I have collected a number of these photos on canvas as I have found photographs I feel are exceptional and show the true essence of the child I am photographing. Whether simple canvases with wrapped edges, or framed like a normal painting, these prints on canvas create items with which you can decorate your home with a personal touch.

We find that they are great conversation starters, and that our children always check them out, and sometimes converse with us, remembering the event in the image.

One thing I have experienced is that “empty nest” feeling as each of our children, one after the other, leave home for college or work never to return on a permanent basis. As I work and relax in our home I can look around and see images I have taken printed on canvas which evoke a feeling of peacefulness and contentment.

Many times I have been glad that I took the time to get so many photographs, and that I had them printed on canvas. These canvas prints make decorating your home and their rooms not only easy, but personal and attractive. In addition, they can become family treasures to be passed down from generation to generation.

I encourage you to use the coupon code CODAFFNEWS0310 today and have one of your very best photographs printed on canvas.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Photographing Siblings

March 18, 2010

If you are looking for energy and some excitement in your photographs, taking photos of siblings can give you more than you might want. They know each other intimately, and which buttons to push to get the reaction they want.

At other times they can be at peace with each, in a comfortable place only siblings know. It seems at times that their personalities bounce off of one another. Try and provide some incentive for fun, competition or even a physical connection, then you can get a photograph that is truly amazing and shows clearly the relationship between the siblings.

Photographing siblings can be a great opportunity to make a story telling picture, while the kids are interacting with one another or their environment. You can photograph them telling each other secrets, playing together or showing their closeness to one another like in the photograph on the right.

When photographing siblings you can get some unique looks by challenging them. For example, you might pick on one of them and just watch the reaction of the other one. You could be surprised that one will join with you, or on the other hand may decide to defend their sibling and challenge you!

No matter what, you will get a reaction, and those reactions can be turned into truly fascinating and interesting photographs. Working with two subjects at the same time presents a great opportunity to have fun while you are doing it, and some great, and sometimes unexpected, reactions from your subjects.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Photographing Teens

March 17, 2010

Teens can be among the most difficult children to photograph. By now they are very conscious of themselves in every respect, and can sulk and be uncooperative, to say the least. On occasion they can even become hostile, and stalk off when you are trying to take their photograph.

In some way, you need to invite the teen into the process, whether it is subtle or direct involvement. One thing you can do is discuss photography with them, work with them to show them your camera, how it works, and talking about what you want the photographs for in the first place.

If they are concerned about some skin blemishes, or are self-conscious about something, figure out a way to work around or eliminate that element from your photograph. If you work with a program like Adobe Photoshop CS4,
and show them on the computer how you can improve their photograph once you take it.

Some of the most profound, lovely and beautiful photographs can come from a photo shoot with an adolescent child whose trust you have won. They will work with you, have patience and co-operate as you work hard to get just the right look, just the right angle, just the right photograph.

As you can see on the right working with something they love can get you the co-operation you want and provide an image they will remember forever. Some day, they will look back at these photographs and probably remember how they felt then, and perhaps what they were thinking about at the time.

These can be some of the very best photographs you will ever get of your child, so take the time while you still can. Capture the images that remind you most of them, so that wherever they travel they will always be with you.

I have a sketch of my son and I drawn on a trip we took to Paris. It hangs in the living room, above the couch, and is a constant reminder even though he travels the world with his job on the airline. Today he might be home, but tomorrow half way round the world, but through photographs, printed on canvas, he is always at home with his father and I.

Don’t miss out on those images.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Photographing School Age Children

March 16, 2010

The challenge for photographing school age children is that, as they become more socialized and begin to have friends, they become more self-conscious about everything. When they are in that wonderful 5 to 6 year age category they are willing to “ham it up” and co-operate with your picture taking, but when they are off to school it all changes.

Suddenly they have learned our little tricks to make them smile, like saying “cheese” or something similar. When we want to take their photograph they turn directly towards the camera and give us that plastered on big smile they have become accustomed to giving us when we photograph them.

But that is not what we are looking for. Nope, we are looking for something more natural, less posed, and interesting.

As you can see with our friend on the right he has the “Standard Grin” down pat, and try as hard as we might getting him to change it can be a real challenge. A lot of times they give us this look because the other parent or some siblings are nearby, and they want to ham it up for everyone.

One way to avoid this is to let everyone know ahead of time what it is you want to photograph, make sure everyone leaves you and your subject alone, and make sure the subject is on board with what you want to accomplish.

That way there are no surprises, brother and sister aren’t egging him on, and you can get a good photograph as long as you don’t dilly dally around and take to long. A little preparation goes a long way here!

Now, if you have been following along with me, you know that you want to have your camera ready at all times. Keep your batteries charged, spare batteries and memory cards at the ready, and the camera located where you can grab it quickly when you see a shot you really don’t want to miss.

Like the kid on the left. He has taken some paint and created a cool look that exposes his playful side and shows his creativity. These kinds of photographs of your school age children will be appreciated well into their teenage and beyond years.

It is important to keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your children as they grow and mature. The changes seem to come at lightspeed, we get busy and sometimes forget, but for those of you who take the time to learn the basics of photographing children the rewards are tremendous.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Turn Your Photos Into Art

March 15, 2010

Well, last week we were working on taking photographs of our toddlers and preschool children, and by now we have a number of great shots, right? Following along and taking a lot of pictures has given us a number to look through, evaluate and decide which are “keepers”.

The kids are growing up so quickly, changing almost daily, and almost as soon as we turn around they are into something new, or have changed in some way we can’t quite put our finger on, but we know they are not the same as they were yesterday.

As we look through our folder full of photographs we notice that one or two really stand out. It was framed just right, the color was brilliant, they looked healthy and happy and we got a wonderful photograph that captured the essence of our child.

So, what now?

I have a suggestion to offer. Canvas On Demand is offering a 12% discount on any photograph printed on canvas through the end of the month. All you need to do is go to Canvas on Demand and enter the code “CODAFFNEWS0310″ on checkout.

For example, look at the photograph on the right of a toddler at the beach which has been printed on canvas and then framed to be hung in the child’s room. Imagine how safe and secure this child will be with your photo on canvas and prominently displayed for all to see! Imagine, decorating your child’s room with a photograph you took printed on canvas to look just like a painting!

Or, if you just had a baby and took a picture of baby and sister together, you could put your photos on canvas to celebrate the siblings getting to know each other. Imagine as they grow how many times they will look at that canvas and remember the way it was. And you will too.

Once they leave home you will have a work of art, your art, hanging at home to remind you of when they were growing up. Years later you may decide to give the canvas to them, creating a family heritage from your photographs! They will remember and thank you forever.

And until the end of March 2010 you can use the code “CODAFFNEWS0310″ to save 12% when you order online, so don’t delay, get your best photograph printed on canvas today!

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Photographing Preschoolers

March 12, 2010

Preschoolers are some of the more interesting subjects when it comes to photographing children. They are discovering the world around them, and they can find a squiggly, dirty worm every bit as interesting as a brand new slide and swing set. The simplest things which adults ignore become fascinating and they want to share them with us.

They can communicate with us, act silly, talk constantly and are very playful, all of which provide so many opportunities for interesting photographs that our heads may swim. They are fun to be with, engaging and generally very interesting to talk with.

Between the ages of 3 to 5 or so they still have that innocence, trust and chubby cheeks of a baby, but they will co-operate enough to get them to sit still or pose for you for a few minutes. They are curious about everything, and it is fairly easy to get great looks when you ask them to focus on something like listening to a bird chirping or other noises just out of visual range.

As you can see in the photo on the right preschoolers have the ability to focus their attention on a task like coloring or drawing on a piece of paper, and the intense concentration as they try to make their little hands do what they want can be precious.

Most of them have a favorite stuffed animal they tote around everywhere, and can be talked into holding a doll, teddy bear or small pet creating some interesting looks as they interact with them. Find a book they love, watch them as they look through the pictures, and photograph them as they discover something new or interesting in it.

At this age they will let you choose their clothes, and you can color co-ordinate their outfits and have them wear the cutest clothes. Catch them when they are fresh from a bath, without colds and having slept well, and you have a terrific chance to create a wonderful photograph you will treasure forever.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Photographing Toddlers

March 11, 2010

The definition of a toddler is when a baby grows into activity and movement. They are very responsive to words, toys and stimulation. They quickly move from shaky standing and moving to ambling along at the speed of light. They need to be in a safe environment where they are able to move freely and explore their world.

During this period there is tremendous growth and change. Their moods change quickly, they are willful but lack skill. As they grow they become frustrated because they see what they want to do but can’t do it. They get frustrated and often misbehave.

When you are photographing a toddler you need to figure out whether another parent or sibling in the photo would be an asset or a liability. Using the peek-a-boo or blowing kisses technique sometimes work well to get their attention and the look you want. Clucking the tongue or whistling can also work sometimes.

Now, you will have a problem getting a toddler to sit still, and if they do it won’t be for long! They are exploring their world, and they want to get on with it. So it is important to be ready to move quickly, snap a lot of pictures, and follow the toddler on their latest adventure.

Sometimes you can put them up on a couch, or an the sill of a window where they will stay still because they don’t want to fall. Benches and tables work well also. Another technique is to find their favorite toy and get them involved with it like the toddler on the right while you snap away.

However you choose to photograph your toddler it will be a challenge, but the results are well worth the effort. Your child is growing so rapidly that if you don’t take the time to photograph them that stage will be over and gone before you know it.

Some of the more interesting photographs come from taking pictures of toddlers as they discover their world.

Remember, keep taking lots and lots of photographs of your kids. You will be glad you did!

Next Page »

• Real Kids RSS Feed

  ---

• Sign up for our FREE eBook and discover how to take wonderful and interesting photographs of your children:

  Claim Your FREE Report Now!
  Name:
  Email: