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How-to Capture Great Photos of Your Kids

For all those parents with thousands of blurry kids photos on their phones camera roll, this blog post is for you. When it comes to never working with children or animals, Sarah Nutt from Milk Photography Studio Auckland clearly missed the memo. In fact, she’s pretty damn talented at it! An award-winning family photographer in fact, who has successfully mastered the art of capturing children of all ages, and  their furry sidekicks too. 

So, Framefox decided to ask Sarah for her family photograhy expert tips and tricks to help you get that perfect kids photos of your little ones. She kindly covers everything from tantrums, face pullers, and mischief-makers in what Sarah calls “capturing the spontaneity of love.” 

Be Realistic

Kids do what they want most of the time, let’s be honest. While you might have wanted them in a specific outfit, sitting and looking a certain way, it isn’t uncommon to have defeated parents mid-shot as they realise the shot they wanted won’t be happening, despite the best efforts of the photographer. 

The key is to keep sessions quick and easy, using distractions like a squeaky pig, feather duster or baby shark on repeat, these all help to get some of those natural, animated smiles. 

The more comfortable and relaxed you all are, the best moments captured for everyone. 

Sarah will tell you not to have any expectations for your photography session, just let her exceed them. 

As a photographer, Sarah wants every family to have the best photos framed and hung pride of place in their home for friends and family to admire. Nothing makes her happier when she wakes each morning to a kind email from a friend of one of her clients saying how much they loved the artwork Milk Photography.

Tantrums can be Talent

The key tip for handling a meltdown mid-shot is don’t dismiss a meltdown as a failed photo opportunity. Sometimes there are moments in-between that can capture the energy of a child. Face pulling, cheeky snarls, tongue poking, scrunched faces, these can actually become some of your funniest, cutest, cherished memories – even though at the time tantrums seem anything- but! 

Sarah admits that some of her best portraits capture laughter and love, it’s all about letting the session unfold naturally, also letting the Photographer take control of the photography session. She admits that sometimes quietly asking the parents to leave the room on the odd occasion (right in the middle of a tantrum) can actually make a world of difference. Kids can act quite different around different people, so it’s best to try every option. 

Bribery is Key for Great Kids Photos

Be prepared to have rewards up your sleeve, she warns parents to have treats ready and some rewards thought out before you head in for your family photography session.

Do Your Homework

Sharing family portrait styles and child poses that you really would love to capture your family in can be a huge guidance to your photographer, it also helps prevent you from disappoint when a photographer doesn’t capture a shot they didn’t know you envisioned. Or more importantly, what you didn’t want! So, mood board, use Pinterest, Instagram, or simply email through some examples pre-shot to your photographer to help the session run more smoothly. Sarah also explains the importance of thinking about where you are wishing to hang your artwork. Framed portrait vs, landscape, large scale vs a Gallery Wall photo series etc. Knowing your end goal of framing and where your art will be in your home can help shift the focus of a session. 

Sarah advises if you find a photographer’s work you love just book them.

Most photographers do not have full price lists on their websites. Just book a pre-consultation (these are no charge) if you need any more clarity on this, after all you are paying an artist to create something unique and special for your family. It’s best to find the right photographer for you.

Sarah wishes people had a lot more understanding around how much work actually goes into the final product. I can spend days in photoshop fixing just one photo, or a selection of photos just to make these perfect, especially newborn photos where a baby can almost be multi coloured. 

Reading reviews of the photographer on google is a great start, this can really add confidence when booking.

Have Fun With It

Any family photographer will admit they encounter many meltdowns, moody teens, blinky bills, and the husband that’s wondering whose paying for the session – it’s all part of their job description. Cheeky, sassy, over-it, they have seen it all, the worst is actually seeing the humiliated parents that leave assuming they got no decent photos. A professional family photographer always gets the shots no matter how long it takes. If things just aren’t going to plan we would never force the child to keep trying, we simply rebook- it’s painless, that’s how it should be. 

Rest assured a good photographer will always manage to capture gorgeous photos, regardless. Sarah explains “the key to great kids photos is to not make the child feel overwhelmed.” Remember, while you are capturing memories you are also making them – so have fun with it! 

How-to Capture Great Photos of Your Kids