I get it. I get it. You’re thinking, “Great, Kayla. We all know that you can take photos everyday of your child. You’re a photographer. But I’m a {insert your title here} and I simply am not good at it.”

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I take more photos of my son with my iPhone than I do my “fancy camera.” Why? Because I always have my phone with me (just like you, mama!) All the photos in this post were taken with an iPhone 6.

I have been hosting workshops for 2 years teaching moms how to use their DSLR cameras (the fancy ones with the lenses you can take on and off.) The principals of using a DSLR are the exact same regardless of the subject matter. However, I realized last year when I was asked to speak at the local MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) group about iPhone photography, I approach taking a picture of my son with my “fancy” camera and my iPhone the exact same way. *btw: if you’re interested in getting a DSLR, here’s the one I recommend for beginners! 

I do everything the same. How I pose him. What I say to him. All of it is the same. The only difference is what is in my hand- an iPhone or a DSLR.

Here are some tips:

1. Clean your lens. I see it everyday. People posting photos of their adorable kiddos and the image looks blurred. But I know better, the lens is dirty. It doesn’t matter what you are photographing, it will not look as good if the lens is dirty or smudged. Take 3 seconds and wipe it off.
   
2. Give them a place to sit or to be.I recommend using a chair if they are at a super active age. Give them a purpose. Unless your kids are older, telling them to smile for a picture is a recipe for disaster. Instead, have something for them to do. Simple direction goes a long way!  Tell them to hug an object (“honey, go hug that pumpkin!” “Go give you big sister a hug.”) 
3. If the child is a toddler or just really active, give them something to hold. When I take photos of children, this is my go-to method. If their hands have something to do, they tend to concentrate better.
4. Give specific directions. “Go stand over there,” doesn’t work for kids (or adults, for that matter.) Be specific. If you want them to look at you (and they are super young,) ask them, “where are mommy’s eyes?” And when they look at you, make a funny face! In this photo I told him to stand in front of the “tree” and make a noise that he thought was funny. 
   
5. Avoid saying “cheese.” Instead, say a funny word that will make them laugh! My son used to really get a kick out of the word “booger!” and/or make a funny face. CROWD PLEASER:  Playing “peek-a-boo” behind my camera is a guaranteed laugh.
   
6. Take the photo in selfie mode! Kids love to see themselves. Usually when they do, they get a huge smile on their face. Be ready and snap the photo as soon as they look. 
7. It’s all about the angle. Shoot the way you naturally see them. When they are little, that will be by shooting down. Get close. Get low. 
   Get close!Get low!

Try these out and comment and let me know how it went! Btw: all photos in this post were taken with an iPhone 6. Nothing replaces a good DSLR Camera though, I teach moms every year how to use theirs.

ps: Have a DSLR and need a little cheat sheet for when you’re shooting in manual mode? I designed this just for you (and it’s FREE!) Click below.

Manual Mode Cheat Sheet