My Top 10 Photography Tips

Sep 28

Whether you are a beginner photographer or a mama trying to take better pictures of her kiddos, here are my top 10 tips for getting better pictures! The biggest lesson I have learned so far is that you have to find what works for you. Your style of photography and what works for you may be different than what works for me. I hope these tips are helpful, and please feel free to leave comments if you have other tips or if you tried any of these!

Tip #1 - Move around, often. dance, walk, skip, and even run! Keep moving around!

Tip #2 - Don’t always look directly at the camera. Look away. It adds interest and adds variety to your pictures.

Tip #3 - Shoot at different angles. Don’t always shoot straight on. Get low to the ground or get high up.

Tip #4 - Don’t be afraid to be genuine! Laugh, smile, and just be yourself! Don’t try too hard at imitating a pose or a look.

Tip #5 - Be mindful of the lighting. It can make a huge difference. When it doubt, get closer to a window. If you are outside, try moving around…Notice the difference in the light from the first picture to the very last.

Tip #6 - Your face doesn’t always have to be in the picture. Don’t get me wrong, your face is beautiful and we love seeing it, but it doesn’t have to be in every single picture. Sometimes the other details in the picture can tell a story. I think there is something very intimate about a close up that does not involve a face. For example, a hand gently placed on someone’s back. Do you agree?

Tip #7 - Don’t be afraid of going old school with a black and white image! I think when done right, a black and white picture is timeless!

Tip #8 - Hug, kiss or even just talk! Show that you are connected somehow. But don’t awkwardly stand next to someone. It’s weird. Don’t be weird.

Tip #9 - Back up… Seriously, take like 10 steps back and take the picture but include the beautiful scenery around you.

Tip #10 - Don’t focus on getting the perfect picture! When I first started photography, I was so concerned with getting everything perfectly straight and perfect. And to be honest, it was terrible. So just go with the flow. Print out the picture even if it’s blurry. Sometimes those end up being the best. Have fun!