How to Take Great Candid Toddler Pictures Indoors

Candid toddler pictures are difficult to take, but the results are well worth the extra effort it takes to capture those unforgettable memories. You won't have a toddler forever...

Watch out! Hang on to your hat!

He's here. He's there. He's everywhere!

What is high speed, constantly moving, inquisitive, full of energy, always cute, and next-to-impossible to catch? Can you guess...

Did I hear you say, "My two-year-old!"

Toddlers are busy little people.

A toddler is always on the go. Except of course when he's fast asleep. Toddlers just don't sit still for a minute.

Practically everything children do at this age is cute and funny. That's something you want to capture and remember in your photographs. But actually getting the picture is a different story.

Why toddlers are so hard to photograph.

Candid pictures of toddlers are no easy feat. Because toddlers are so active, when it's picture taking time you discover how challenging photos of toddlers can really be. They have a short attention span and are always moving.

Because of the motion, toddler's pictures can very often turn out blurred. In fact I've often taken a picture only to find out that there's no one there in the photograph!

What are candid photos?

A candid is basically a picture of your toddler, acting naturally in her environment. This is the best way to photograph a busy toddler. It's much easier that a formal "sitting still" photograph.

Choose a time of day when she is in a good mood, happy and well rested. Then follow her around and get pictures as she does everyday things. Playing, laughing, making messes, even tantrums… there are always unforgettable moments.

Why are indoors pictures different?

Indoor photos can be challenging. There is less available light indoors. Most cameras have a difficult time taking good pictures indoors, let alone high-speed motion!

Camera's on automatic mode will try to use a longer shutter speed to compensate for low light. This makes a picture of a toddler very blurry. In fact, he or she may be gone before the photo is taken! OOften people just turn on the flash on their camera to get more light on their child and freeze the motion. But flash creates harsh, unnatural shadows. On-camera flash just doesn't capture the cuteness of your little one.

Instead of flash, turn to natural light.

Open the window coverings, let some sunlight in. Natural light creates soft, flattering skin tones.

You don't want harsh direct sun, but often the light from a north-facing window can make a beautiful candid toddler picture.

What camera settings should you use indoors?

The best indoor setting on your camera is the Aperture Priority mode (AV). You should set your camera's aperture to the lowest number possible, for a faster shutter speed. This is the best way to get better indoor pictures.

Above all, never use the Portrait mode for indoor toddler pictures! This mode uses a slow shutter speed for a better portrait, or a subject that is holding still. Your pictures will turn out blurry.

The Sports mode is a better choice for young children if you don't have the ability to change the settings manually.

Use a higher iso on your camera. Increasing the iso allows for a faster shutter speed, thus pictures that are better focused.

Do you use an SLR?

The 50mm 1.8 lens for SLR cameras takes wonderful indoor pictures. It's got a very low aperture for low light conditions. Low aperture makes beautiful shallow depth of field for blurry backgrounds.

For all that, it is very inexpensive. Less than 100 dollars new. I know I've said this before, but I'll say it again: This is an essential lens for a parent of a toddler!

Suppose your child hates the camera...

Some children feel uncomfortable around cameras. They'll say, "Don't take pictures of me!"

The best way to get around this is to have the camera out all the time and use it a lot. Pretty soon they won't even notice it anymore. Soon he'll be begging for photos of himself!

Then you'll have another problem!

My children love to see the preview of themselves on the camera. So, when I try to take pictures, they stop acting cute and run over to have a look. If your child does this, you'll have to be sneaky! Try to get pictures when they don't know that you are watching!

I have a general rule that no one sees the pictures until they are on the computer. Doesn't always work, but it may help solve the problem.

More basic tips for photos of toddlers:

• Get down to their level. Crouch or kneel on the floor. Getting down to his eye level eliminates the usual high "looking-down" angle. A picture taken at eye-level look much more natural.
  
  
• Try lots of different angles, try getting up high, or down very low, or a side angle. Point of view can make a lot of difference in photos of toddlers.
  
  
• Watch the background. Be careful of busy backgrounds or bright colors that will distract from the cute toddler in the picture.
  
  
• Do funny things to make him laugh. Ask him to say a funny word to get the corners of his mouth into a smile.
  
  
• Take lots of pictures, you never know when they'll hit a perfect expression or pose.
  
  

Now when that little tyke shoots past you, you'll have your camera out. You're ready to take some great candid toddler pictures, right?

Share your best candid toddler pictures today! Click here now...

***z-**z-footer.shtml***

Powered by SiteBuiltIt!