7 Tips for Photographing Your Kids | Sami Kathryn at Home | Dallas Portrait Family Photographer

While I always encourage people to hire professional photographers to capture the big moments in your life, there are so many special moments that happen in daily life that are just as worthwhile to document! So, here are my top seven tips for photographing your children. Taking pictures of kids can be hard, but with a little patience and a lot of love, you can get photos of your family that you’ll cherish forever. Need more inspiration? Find additional guides, posts, & resources right here.

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7 Tips for Photographing Your Kids

1. Find natural light. Turn off over head lights and lamps. Open blinds and curtains and go by a window. Angle your kiddo so they’re facing towards the window to make the best use of natural light. If you’re outside, look for a shady spot, or face your kids towards their shadows.
   
2. Document everyday moments. Capture the staged/posed portraits, but also be intentional about photographing candid moments and everyday life, like bath time, reading, playing with toys, baking cookies together, creating art, playing at the playground, putting on their shoes by themselves, or whatever simple moments bring you joy throughout the day!
   
3. Get in the photo! It’s easy to stay behind the camera but it’s so valuable get in the photos with your kids. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing makeup or dressed cute – be bold, use that self-timer or hand your camera or phone to a friend or partner, and capture memories with your kiddos.
   
4. Don’t forget the little details. I love a good detail photo – be creative and capture small details about your kiddos, like closeups of their sweet little toes when they’re babies, of their hand holding yours as they grow, their pigtails or hair bows, and any other special details that you find yourself adoring about your kiddos!
   
5. Babies don’t keep! Document their growth. Photograph them monthly in the same place or on the same background to show their growth over time, like in a chair or on a play mat or blanket.
   
6. Photograph your kids with the items that are most special to them, like hugging a favorite stuffed animal, reading a treasured book, or snuggled up in their coziest blanket. Years from now, when those items are lost or it’s time to say goodbye to them, you’ll be glad you have the images to remember those well-loved objects!
   
7. Don’t miss the moment. Yes, of course, capture the milestone moments and the firsts. Once you’ve documented the special moment, put your phone or camera away and just enjoy, be present, and make memories with your kiddos.