The North East's Leading Newborn Photographer
In this blog, I’m going to go through some key elements that should be considered when you are trying to get beautiful shots of your children outside.
Light used correctly can add a magical quality to your photos but remember, direct sun light can play havoc with your shots. Outside you need to be mindful that if the sun is not diffused it can create harsh light which can cause your image to be over exposed. Diffusing and softening harsh light can be done by positioning your little one in a pocket of light that is being diffused by trees or shrubs. Or simply head out on a cloudy day as clouds also diffuse and soften the light, giving you the chance to capture beautiful images.
How you position your child in relation to the sun is crucial for creating stunning photos. For example If you position your child facing the sun, the bright light will not only make them squint but also may also cause their face to be over exposed. Positioning your child so that they are lit from the back or side will help you get the best shot.
Backlighting means that the light comes from behind the child and results in magical images with a gorgeous glow around your little one. Side lighting is another great way to light up your child by positioning them so that the sun is illuminating them from one side. If you are unhappy with how illuminated they appear, try moving around and changing your shooting angle. A little bit of trial and error can result in your child being beautifully lit and an overall perfect image.
You might not have considered composition before but good composition is a key element in creating stunning photos. Most parents position their child in the centre of the frame. Whilst this can produce gorgeous images, a rule always worth considering is the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is one of the most common rules in photography, and states that for an aesthetically pleasing image you should position your subject a third of the way into the frame rather than in the middle. Why not give it and go and see what you think.
For the best outdoor photos, letting your little one naturally interacting with the environment around them like picking flowers or throwing leaves can result in beautiful images. I’d recommend very minimal physical props as you want nothing to distract from your child, only choosing something if you think it adds to the magic of the photo. Make the most of all the outdoor areas around you, by positioning your child next to steps, trees, gates or walls.
Getting children to pose for photos can be difficult and usually results in unnatural poses and forced smiles. Instead opt for letting them play whilst you get snapping, getting shots of them climbing trees, playing hide and seek and ultimately letting them play. Capturing these more natural poses of them playing can often cause the best results as the images can capture your child’s unique character. Forget about perfection and focus on capturing them as they are and capturing the memories, as those will be the images that mean the world to you in the years to come.
