Skip to main content

North Shore Mums

I am very excited to share my most recent blog post that was for Northshoremums.com.au. I read this blog often to get tips and tricks that all mums need. 
The article gives tips and trciks for taking great family photos- especially with little ones!
Check it out here, or read the article below: 

As a mother and a portrait photographer, I’ve taken a decade’s worth of photos of children and families. From hosting workshops, I see the common traits that adults and kids generate from being so nervous in front of a camera; they’re disappointed with the shots and it reduces confidence levels.

This led me to author my first book, How To Look Good In Photos. I became fixated on correlating the same pattern of errors people make in posing and positioning and wanted to rectify this. For kids though, it’s not about having your child positioned or posed in a certain style… a completely different set of rules apply.

1. Don’t make children sit still

Since kids have a short attention span, and their excitement ensures they won’t sit still, don’t make them! The key to taking great family photos with young children is to keep them distracted and enjoy the moment instead of trying to have them stay in one particular position or pose. By making them sit still, not only does the photo reduce the great energy that children have in abundance, but it also guarantees an unnatural shot that doesn’t portray their fun and lively qualities.
katebranch 5

2. Keep the camera out of sight (where possible!)

I highly suggest that the camera is out of sight from the child’s direct eye line and focus on child engagement as priority. For example, if your partner is taking the photo, then play your kids favourite music in the background. When you and your child are laughing and dancing, have your partner bring out the camera quietly. Don’t draw attention to it, but let it capture the exact moment of you, playing with your happy munchkins.
katebranch 2

3. Engage with your child

You can also sing the child’s favourite song and as you’re both in the here and now, the camera is clicking away. The same applies for using props that encourage kids to move around. Maybe you can ask your child to touch your necklace. As the child starts playing with the jewellery around your neck, your partner can click away and create some truly intimate photos you’ll all cherish.
katebranch 1

4. Play with your child naturally

If you have a garden with outdoor toys, have your child sit at the top of the slide and you stand at the bottom. Encourage your child to open their arms, as you do, the camera will capture some magical, movement shots of you together, in sequence. You can also use this trick for footballs, swings and climbing frames, making you the objective of their attention instead of the camera.
It’s all about playing with your kids as you usually would, so these moments can be captured by the camera. It’s a great way to show movement and action while the focus is on enjoyment, and not the lens.
Some kids are camera shy so the more you interact with your child as paramount, and the camera’s not making them nervous, they’ll relax and open up. When they finally see the snaps you’ve taken, they’ll start to appreciate the camera and you can slowly introduce them to it. This will build their confidence to befriend the lens so you can then introduce more direct shots.
By using this steady process, you may see kids push their own boundaries and be comfortable when a camera is nearby. It’s important that you maintain the natural, playful environment and don’t fall towards static images again.
katebranch 3

5. Play slowly

The trick to nail these amazing family shots? Play slowly. What you usually do naturally such as dancing with your child, will most likely be faster than a typical smartphone or camera can accommodate. So remember to take the pace down a few steps to avoid fuzz in the photo. Snail’s pace is important – keep this in mind. Also try to have as many photos in natural light as this will accentuate the finishing result.
katebranch 4

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jean Claude and Kate Branch at Kirribilli house

As a mother of two nothing is more important to me than our children. My husband Jean-Claude and I attended a fundraiser at Kirribilli house that raised money for five wonderful children charities. We were honoured to personally meet The Honourable Malcom Turnball, Prime Minister of Australia and his amazing wife Mrs Lucy Turnball.  Jean-Claude and I were also honoured to listen to the address of the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir who also supports these charities especially Central Coast Kids in Need. Once again her Excellency Dame Marie Bashir said that children are the most precious resource we have. And that is very true. We are very thankful to attend such an amazing evening. Below are the amazing charities that funds were raised for. http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/   Bear Cottage is the only children’s hospice in NSW, one of only two in Australia, and the only one in the world affiliated with a children’s hospital.  We provide support, respite and end

Porsche Power

Thank you Porsche Power magazine for publishing my photograph. 

40 years around the sun

  40 Years Around The Sun A Photographic Celebration of My Favourite Sunrises and Sunsets From Around the Globe As my 40th birthday approaches, in the midst of a pandemic, and without the option of a big party or far flung travel adventure on the cards, I’ve found another novel (COVID-friendly) way to celebrate. I’ve decided to utilise my skills as a photographer, bundled together with my passion for travel, to create a visual compilation of my favourite sunrises and sunsets from around the globe. Entitled 40 Years Around The Sun, this video art project is exactly that; a celebration of my own experience of forty years around this dazzling star, featuring 40 photos, all taken on my beloved Leica camera. It is a revival of my most treasured travel memories, in video form, a selection of my best photography work throughout the years, featuring the burning orb that connects us all; the sun. Even though I can’t physically travel with family or friends, I can still take them on a virtual