Word Free Wednesday {1/2/12}

Mamma first, Photographer Second {How to shoot your kids}

Most of you know already that apart from being a mama, I am also a full time photographer.

I've had a few emails recently asking how I get crisp clean shots of Ruby ALL the time.

Well guys, heres the truth....
  I don't.  Yep, thats right, I don't.

I take grainy shots, I get blurred faces, I get grumpy faces, messy faces, 

jeez sometimes I dont even get her face, just the back of the head as she runs from me shouting 'no no no no mama'.  Sure the back of her head is pretty but it's not what people want to see.

When I am at work, the children aren't too familiar with me, so they are happy to play along for an hour sometimes two.  It's fun and its someone new who sings songs and plays hide & seek with them.
And asks them a million questions.

Ruby, well she was happy to play along for the first week of her 365 then she soon became bored.
'Great!  Here's mama with that camera again!  I wish I could have a poop in peace.'

She runs off in the middle of a shot, she runs to the camera and kisses it which results in nothing but a blurred eye or lip.  She'll sit there and cry if I pop her somewhere lovely just for a second.  Or she'll pull a face no one really wants to see.

Don't believe me?  I have proof... (She'll thank me for these when she is older).

So, I thought I'd give out a few tips on how to photograph your own children.

1.  Being patient.  Don't 'set up' the shot.  If it's there, take it, if it's not, it'll come.  

Don't disturb them, listen to them playing and being creative all on their own.  

I always have my camera to hand, which brings me to point number 2.

2.  Take your camera as many places as you can & don't be shy to use it. 

If you want the shot of them in the waiting room at the doctors, take it. (Don't be too shy to ask).

I don't just take my camera to the park, oh no!  I've snapped Ruby at the doctors, Ikea, the vets, the dentist, the supermarket, in baskets at art shops, tattoo parlours... You can see those in her 365 here.

Yes people might look at you like a loon taking images of your kids in a shopping trolly but if you want the shot, it's yours. 

(Don't forget to charge the battery!)

3.  Change your perspective. Get down to their level.  The world is a totally different place from down there.  I'm often found rolling around on my belly to get the shot I want.  Yes I'm am aware it's Asda.

Don't forget to shoot up high!  You'll want shots to remember just how tiny they were holding your hand..

4.  Turn off your flash.  Good natural lighting is really important.  

I can't stress how important this point is, and if I hadn't arranged my images already I'd move it to point number 1.  

I'm a natural light photographer so this is key.  If you can, make sure they are facing a window, the eyes will be sharp and 'pop'.  The more natural light the better.  If you can, head outside! 

5.  Love every image you take.  As I said before, they might not be perfect, they might not be amazing, but it's your child.  You don't have to have a big fancy camera.  Some of my favourite images I have of Ruby I took on my iPhone 3G & edited with the Instagram app.

Including this one... It's in my top 5 favourite images of her!

If they are feeling cheeky that day snap it...

If they are sad... thats right, snap it!

Give them a prop, be creative.  I know in point 1 I said not to 'set up' an image, but adding props always makes it more fun and it's not reeeally setting it up.

 Even a simple necklace, glass of milk or my favourite.... a tea cup!

6. A simple black and white conversion can make an image perfect... Black and whit images are by far my favourite.

7.  Probably the most important... 

Don't forget to be IN the shot!  I am always 90% behind the camera, but sometimes with the helping hand of my husband, a timer with my camera balancing on a pile of books or a helpful friend you can get some lovely family shots.  Be natural, be yourself and most important... Have fun!

They might not look like much, but when you have a look back at these in a few years I'll bet you wish you had taken more!

I hope I've helped!  For those taking on the huge Project 366 this year, feel free to link your progress in the comments box, I have been watching most and I am loving the entries so far!

Zoe xo

Word Free Wednesday

Bedtime

The complete 365 {the final update}

So here it is.  The entire 365 in one huge blog post.  Probably the biggest post I'll ever put on. 

It's taken me since New Years day to resize, rename them & upload the entire thing.  FOUR times. 

Every image is a day by day account of Ruby's year.  

Its not all perfect, its not all 'technically correct' but its what we did, where we went, what we saw and how she felt with a few little creative numbers thrown in.  Its one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, but I am so glad I didn't get up and my little girl is going to have this in a book for the rest of her life.  I wish it was something I had.

I also wanted to write this post to say thank you.

Thanks to everyone over on the facebook page and my personal page who followed, commented and loved every update.  

Those that emailed me at 6pm every night to ask me where todays update was.

 Thanks to everyone who allowed me to take a photo of Ruby in their shop, doctors, tattoo parlours, hotels.

Those that trailed about with me until I got the shot I needed.

Those that jumped behind me like an absolute loon to get 'that' smile.

And Daddy who came up with hilarious ideas for it when I was too knackered to think.

We've had an amazing year and I think its shows...

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For all those about to embark on a 365 or this year a 366 as its a leap year, good luck, don't give up and remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!

Zoe xo