How to shoot better pictures
Tips & Hints from a Pro
I started my photography business six years ago, after my firstborn had so many pictures taken, he would start to smile and pose for the cameras in the camera display at Wal-Mart as a baby! From there, I’ve done
trial and error, learning new techniques and ways to capture pictures of my own kiddos. In the interim, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph portraits for many families and friends.
trial and error, learning new techniques and ways to capture pictures of my own kiddos. In the interim, I’ve had the opportunity to photograph portraits for many families and friends.

In the time that I started, I’ve learned a few things for taking better pictures. Here’s some of the things that I’ve learned…
Don’t be afraid to shoot. A lot.
When I’m trying to get pictures of my kids (who are harder than my clients!) – I will sometimes take 100 pictures and then get a handful of winners.
Get close.
Some of the best pictures of our kids, are the close ups. Take a giant step closer and then take the picture.
The best lighting is a shaded spot or cloudy day.
Try to avoid overly sunny spots – the brightness can washout the picture (or have squinty eyes).
Simplicity
Some of my favorite pictures of my kids are super simple. Don’t worry about overly fashionable clothing, etc. for a picture.
Learn your camera
Whether you have a simple point and shoot, or a DSLR – get out your manual and learn what your camera can do. Sometimes what you are wanting to achieve is spelled out in the manual.
Google
You can find a lot of techniques, ideas, settings, etc. for your camera and pictures by looking online. Try something new.
Bribery
A promise of a sucker when we’re all done can go a long way towards getting that perfect shot for Grandma. ;)
Think Outside the box
My middle child, Andrew is just barely past terrible two’s and in fully entrenched in the three’s – trying to get him to stop long enough to get a picture is often impossible (despite offers of a sucker,…pennies…a pony…) – for the sample picture of my little guy, I absolutely love this picture. The ONLY way that I got him to look AND smile was to let him play with the acorns on the ground. We’d throw them at a post, then I’d be ready to snap as he would laugh and I would laugh so loud that he’d look and CLICK. Magic. Or at least it sure feels like it for a mom of a toddler!
Get on their level
Squat or get close to your kids to shoot their pictures. If you’re five and a half feet tall and they are two feet tall – there’s a lot of distance there. (Think airplane over the town). You can completely change the perspective by getting down with your kids!
Edit
There are TONS of programs on the market that can take a mediocre picture and make it even better. The Rolls Royce of editing software is Photoshop, but if you don’t want to drop that kind of money, there
are some great programs. Picasa is a free download available from Google that you can take red eye out, do some simple modifications to your color, shadows, highlights, a simple click for B&W or sepia, etc.
are some great programs. Picasa is a free download available from Google that you can take red eye out, do some simple modifications to your color, shadows, highlights, a simple click for B&W or sepia, etc.
Printing
With the digital age, has come a lack of photos being printed! I’m just as guilty of it. But when you want a really nice image printed for grandparents, gifts, etc. you might want something a little better than the local 1 hour photo. Mpix.com is the consumer side of a professional photo lab (Miller’s). You can order from them and have professional quality printing service. I love their diecut wallets.
Digital photography provides for a simple way to get your feet wet with shooting pictures. There are so many resources nowadays that it makes it easy to find what you are wanting to achieve for your images.
Kristen is a stay-at-home mom to three models kids; Matt is 6 and in 1st grade, Drew is 3, and Bekah is 1. She's been married for 9 1/2 years to her husband Tom, who changes the world one child at a time as a therapist to at risk youth. She is a 2001 and 2004 graduate of John Brown University
in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Shortly after having Matthew in 2003, she had taken so many pictures of him that starting a photography business seemed like the next thing to do. From there, Kristen
Hargett Photography was formed in September 2003. She's been photographing families and portrait photography for the past six years for families in Northwest Arkansas and several long distance shoots in the far north Chicago suburbs. To see more photography work, you can visit her photography website. To see what our family is up to, visit our family blog.
in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Shortly after having Matthew in 2003, she had taken so many pictures of him that starting a photography business seemed like the next thing to do. From there, Kristen
Hargett Photography was formed in September 2003. She's been photographing families and portrait photography for the past six years for families in Northwest Arkansas and several long distance shoots in the far north Chicago suburbs. To see more photography work, you can visit her photography website. To see what our family is up to, visit our family blog.
To start, you can pick out your fabric. For Dietrich's, I used 5 coordinating fabrics and had the back always be the same. For my Thanksgiving banner, I just had 2 fabrics and the backs are all the same as the spaces. Then I cut out the triangles with a triangle shape cutter I have for quilting. It worked out well--6 1/2" triangles. You can also just use a ruler and measure it out. If your fabric has a right side up (like mine did), you'll have to make sure that each time you cut it out, it is the right way. 













