Active kids can be reluctant subjects in photo shoots. Whether you’re taking a quick snapshot or photographs to frame for family gifts, there are a few tips that can help you be a successful photographer.
Take a lot of photos. Take advantage of digital photography and keep snapping. Don’t put yourself under pressure to take one perfect picture. Later, you can go back and delete the blurry shots; but you’re more likely to capture a good one amongst many on this mode.
Let kids play! Don’t feel the need to ask your child to strike a pose. Just let her do what she loves and be close by to capture that moment. Have a great zoom lens on hand when capturing active kids so you have more opportunity to catch them in a candid picture.
Be patient. It’s rare that the very first picture I take is the one I want to keep, blow up and frame. If they did something cute, they’ll likely do it again with a little encouragement or patience.
Offer gentle encouragement. What makes your child giggle? Is it your dancing or singing? A natural laugh will come across as more realistic than a smile on demand. If you’re being the clown, he may be watching long enough for you to snap a great picture.
Adjust your aperture. Your aperture will also play a role in getting sharp images. For action shots, try shooting with a small aperture. That way you will have a broader depth of field, which will allow more of your image to be in focus. When you get used to shooting action shots, then you can try shooting with a larger aperture to really isolate your subject from the background.
Raise your shutter speed. To get sharp pictures, you’ll need to freeze motion. So make sure you have a high enough shutter speed. If you are shooting sports outdoors where you have a lot of available light, set your shutter speed at or above. A higher shutter speed is better when shooting action.
Use the center focal point. Always keep your center focal point on the face of the subject. If you focus past your subject, you will get an out-of-focus shot.
Taking photos of an active child isn’t beyond your skill level. Before the shoot, just remind yourself of how your camera can help you achieve perfect photos. Point, shoot, and enjoy the moment.
