Take Better Photos–Photographing a Moving Target (a.k.a. How to Photograph Your 2 Year Old!)

I have been wanting to write the post for a little while! Photographing little kids who are constantly on the move is a challenge I am all too familiar with ! And I LOVE it! I have mentioned here before how much I love being a mom to a busy little boy. I love photographing him, too.

I know it is a challenge to get good photographs of kids who are always moving, so I thought I would share a few of my tips with you with the hope that it will help all you moms photograph your kids better and with less BLUR!

1. First, I plan.  I plan for light and I plan what I want to capture.  If I will be photographing indoors, then I find a room with lots of light and open the blinds to let in as much light as possible (since I dislike  flash.)  Good light is crucial because of point #2.  If I am photographing outdoors, I try to avoid the bright mid-day sun in the summer and dress for the cold in the winter.  If we will be photographing inside, I plan what we will be doing based on my toddler’s interests.  Maybe we will be playing Lego’s or cars.  If we are outside, I also try to have an activity to do–playing baseball, running through the sprinklers, or drawing with sidewalk chalk.  An activity helps to keep a 2 year-old’s attention (and also keeps them a bit still), even if just for a short while!



2. When photographing 2 year old’s and all small children, it is important that you have a fast shutter speed.  Generally this is the #1 reason for blurry pictures when trying to photograph small children.  They move quickly and in order to freeze the motion, your shutter speed needs to be 1/100 of a second or faster.  In order to have a fast shutter speed, you’ll need good light.  You may have to raise your ISO quite a bit if you are photographing indoors.  If you aren’t sure how to shoot in manual or how aperture, shutter-speed, and ISO work together, check out my posts on The Big Three of Photography.



3. Whatever you do, DON’T EXPECT A 2 YEAR-OLD TO POSE FOR YOU!  They won’t.  And you’ll be disappointed!  However, you may be able to give them something to do that will keep their attention and allow you to capture them somewhat posed!  What ever you do, TALK TO THEM to engage them and get their attention.  My favorite way to capture my son is to get out some of his toys where I know there will be good light and then play with him and talk to him and occasionally pick up the camera and photograph.  The put down the camera and repeat!



4. Be Patient and Go With the Flow!  They won’t always look at you when you want or do exactly what you have planned.  This shouldn’t surprise you if you live with a 2 year-old!  Just be patient.  If their interests change, you change along with them.  Play with them, interact with them and you’ll be rewarded with a few opportunities to capture what they are doing.
5. Keep trying.  If it doesn’t work the first time, try again another day.  Knowing when to cut your losses is an art !

• I meant to get this posted this morning but my day didn’t go exactly as I planned.  The photos in this post are out-takes from the shots I took of him the other day outside.  I don’t ever ask him to “smile” or say “cheese.”  But someone must because he is beginning to give me fake smiles occasionally when I pull out the camera!

P.S. I’ll be posting information about new Spring Photography Classes on Monday and opening up registration. If you have signed up for my mailing list, you should have already received an email that will give you a weekend “head start” on registering for my photography classes!