Me (UL) with brother, sister, and cousins 1957 Photos are like wine and whiskey. The older they are, the more they are appreciated. This photo from 1957 reminds me that I was once a little boy with so much before me.
As my friends and family will tell you, I am a fanatic photographer of my grandchildren. There are many reasons for this;
Below is a slideshow called “Thoughts on Photographing Your Children”. It’s not technical and only 1 minute and 36 seconds long. I don’t mention aperture, lighting, or shutter speed. I discuss the more practical and emotional side of photographing your children. Things you know but often let slide during a busy life.
It’s different these days regarding photography. When I was a kid, long ago in the 1950s and 1960s, cameras were not near as common as today--when almost everyone has a smart phone with a camera function. Back then it was very difficult to take a good photo without 'auto' settings, and it was a much more expensive hobby where film and printing were vital. Neither was there the instant gratification we have today. I’m sure many rolls of film were left undeveloped, or photos were underexposed, out of focus, or just not composed correctly.
Most parents want photos of their children. I can’t imagine why anyone would not. And our children will want to see themselves in photos that anchor, or revisit, memories of their youth. Like many my age, I think I have less than 10 photos of myself at age 12 or younger of which I am aware-- and few are very good. But the memories and conversation they stir up are invaluable. When an old or previously unseen photo is discovered, it's like finding lost treasure.
I have three major suggestions that anyone can understand. My first suggestion would be to have a camera nearby at all times. For most of us, this is no longer a problem. However, you have to have an awareness about when a photo opportunity exists or could come about. The second suggestion is to take a lot of photos. I have hundreds of photos I love, but I took thousands of photos to get them. Had I only taken hundreds of photos, I would only a few. Bad pictures are so easy to delete. The third suggestion is to have a filing system or software program where you can keep and find your photos. Losing a special photo of an irreplaceable moment is sad indeed. I know from experience.
With that said, here in the following video, are my thoughts, with examples, of capturing your children in photos.
As my friends and family will tell you, I am a fanatic photographer of my grandchildren. There are many reasons for this;
- I love them
- I love photography
- I love to brag about them
- I want to capture them as they grow
- I want to capture special moments
- I enjoy the process of being with them while I enjoy my hobby.
Below is a slideshow called “Thoughts on Photographing Your Children”. It’s not technical and only 1 minute and 36 seconds long. I don’t mention aperture, lighting, or shutter speed. I discuss the more practical and emotional side of photographing your children. Things you know but often let slide during a busy life.
It’s different these days regarding photography. When I was a kid, long ago in the 1950s and 1960s, cameras were not near as common as today--when almost everyone has a smart phone with a camera function. Back then it was very difficult to take a good photo without 'auto' settings, and it was a much more expensive hobby where film and printing were vital. Neither was there the instant gratification we have today. I’m sure many rolls of film were left undeveloped, or photos were underexposed, out of focus, or just not composed correctly.
Most parents want photos of their children. I can’t imagine why anyone would not. And our children will want to see themselves in photos that anchor, or revisit, memories of their youth. Like many my age, I think I have less than 10 photos of myself at age 12 or younger of which I am aware-- and few are very good. But the memories and conversation they stir up are invaluable. When an old or previously unseen photo is discovered, it's like finding lost treasure.
I have three major suggestions that anyone can understand. My first suggestion would be to have a camera nearby at all times. For most of us, this is no longer a problem. However, you have to have an awareness about when a photo opportunity exists or could come about. The second suggestion is to take a lot of photos. I have hundreds of photos I love, but I took thousands of photos to get them. Had I only taken hundreds of photos, I would only a few. Bad pictures are so easy to delete. The third suggestion is to have a filing system or software program where you can keep and find your photos. Losing a special photo of an irreplaceable moment is sad indeed. I know from experience.
With that said, here in the following video, are my thoughts, with examples, of capturing your children in photos.
