Tips for Taking Great Family Photos

We here at My Baby Concierge were thrilled to announce our official launch on February, 29, 2008! We look forward to keeping Houston and surrounding areas informed of local baby and maternity boutiques, trends in gadgets, gear and all things baby-related!

With spring here and summer right around the corner, many families will plan vacations or will opt to just get out and enjoy the outdoors. Now is the time to preserve those memories with pictures! I recently spoke with local photographer, Layla Wolken of the Clear Lake area, and asked her what advice she had for taking great family photos. Here is what she had to say.

Composition

1. Get close and level- Moving in closer (zooming in) to your subject reduces the number of background distractions that can make an otherwise good photo appear busy. Moving closer allows you to better focus on their eyes, which adds a dramatic feel to the photo. Also, get down on their level for an overall better composed picture.
2. Get Creative- With willing participants, try taking photos from different angles-from above and below the subject, and even tilting the camera 45 degrees for an unusual effect.
3. Use the rule of thirds- When composing your picture, divide it into 3 imaginary sections. Doing so not only helps you center the subject in the photograph from top to bottom, but can also result in a well balanced off-center shot. When creating an off-center image, place the subject near the intersection of the section lines and see what creative results you get.

Lighting

1. Control your flash- By reading your camera manual you should be able to learn to better control your flash. By leaving it on automatic, you are limiting yourself to pictures with ordinary lighting, as well as improperly exposed images that would have been great had the right flash setting been used.
2. Use the flash outdoors- Don't be afraid to use your flash outdoors-especially in the shade. Even using the flash on a sunny day can improve the picture by eliminating the dark shadows under the eyes that shooting in bright sun can cause. Be sure to also use the flash when shooting with the sun behind the subject. Otherwise, you will get a silhouette images.
3. Turn the flash off indoors- If lighting is adequate from windows and lights, try turning the flash off for indoor pictures. Using ambient light from windows can create dramatically stunning images. Eliminating the flash indoors can also help avoid the unnatural skin tones that sometimes accompany using a flash indoors.

General

1. Embrace candid shots- Capturing your family in their natural state can produce a picture that is truly reflective of this stage of life. Encourage kids to loosen up by telling jokes or making funny noises.
2. Try unusual posing- Have the family get down on their tummies for a nice, relaxed picture. Doing so takes the pressure off of kids who are too stiff and don't know where to put their hands or how to hold their shoulders. Of course, you'll have to get on your tummy to get on their level, but the outcome can be fabulous!
3. Take more shots than you need- One of the most amazing aspects of digital photography is the ability to take multiple images, without paying for the individual images. Take advantage of this feature by taking more photos than you normally would-and in rapid succession.

Layla enjoys having children, babies, and expectant mothers as subjects, so book your session now! For more information on Layla Wolken's services visit www.laylawolkenphotography.net.

We here at My Baby Concierge thank Layla for sharing her tips with us and wish everyone a Happy Easter!