Children's Photography: Tips for Taking Group Photos of Kids - By: Rick Valence

Taking a group photo of people is similar to orchestrating a movie-shoot. When taking a photo of kids, it's even more difficult to accomplish. It pays to have the right technology with you to help bring that perfect shot of smiling children to life. Newer cameras these days have features such as automatic focus and facial recognition that can really help ensure that everyone in the group will be in the shot. Some go as far as recognizing a smile, which ensures that all the kids in the shot will have a gleaming smile in the final photo. Even so, there is only so much a camera, on its own, can do to perfect a photo shoot; there are various things you, as the photographer, can do to help and we will look at a few of those things in this article.

Using a tripod with variable height allows you to frame the group of kids perfectly without the risk of moving just before you take the shot. Also, if you would like to include yourself in the photo shot, and you have a camera with a timer or a remote, then a tripod is just about an absolute necessity.

Lighting can be your friend or you worst nightmare as far as photography is concerned. When choosing a location to take the shot, always take into consideration the ambient light in the area as it can cause flares on the final image. In poor lighting, make use of the flash, remembering that it can only reach so far. So you might want to find the spot that is not too near, or too far, from the group.

As you are framing the picture, remember that you do not really have to include their entire bodies in the shot. But if you would like to, then make extensive use of the zoom feature of your camera. This will allow you to pan out of the image. If you would like, you can take a panoramic picture with a wide lens camera. Words of caution though, try not to choose a wide lens that is too wide as the sides of the photo of the group may become distorted.

Most kids will find it difficult to remain still in a group photo so try to be patient with them. Try your best to make them feel comfortable by getting their attention and smiling back at them. You can also try and make them excited about being in a photo, rather than commanding them to oblige. Of course, a pocket full of candy never hurts too.

About the Author

Rick Valence fixes cameras at C.R.I.S., a digital camera repair facility located in Chandler, AZ. Rick also contributes regularly to the company camera repairs blog.

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