Comments on: Getting Great Photos of Your Kids: 11 Tips for Parents

By: carole

carole — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:17:11 +0000

Great tips! Thanks!

By: Scott Roeben

Scott Roeben — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:56:16 +0000

Thanks for your comment! I generally use the Canon 50mm f/1.2 for portraits, as well as the 24-70mm f/2.8. Lots of folks like the much less expensive 50mm f/1.8. The 200mm f/2.8 is a wonderful portrait lens, too. Ultimately, lenses are just arrows in your quiver, though! The basics of composition and lighting and rapport with your subject will take you far when it comes to creating images! Lenses are just glass! I hope that helps!

By: shelia

shelia — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 02:10:27 +0000

what kind of camera and lens do you use. Your pics are great!

By: Scott Roeben

Scott Roeben — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:49:07 +0000

Thanks for commenting, Kimberly! I’m with you on natural light. The more I’ve become aware of the kind of light, the more I’ve seen how even slight differences in the time of day, or direction of the light have a huge impact on the quality of images. Colors are more saturated. Subjects squint less at certain times of day, or when they turn more away or toward the light. Glare can be minimized. Ultimately, photography is lightcraft, right? I’m not actually sure that’s a word, but you know what I mean. Appreciate the feedback!

By: Kimberly Gauthier

Kimberly Gauthier — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:29:07 +0000

Fantastic post. I’m a new pet photographer and I just started shooting couples and kids and I spend my day looking for natural light, which I love and think is the best. I’m trying not to invest in huge lighting kit, because I shoot 100% on location and don’t have an assistant to help me lug everything around so your suggestions on lighting resonated with me.

Kimberly

By: Scott Roeben

Scott Roeben — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:33:44 +0000

Hey, Joanie, that’s actually a great idea! I find that showing kids the display on the back of the camera is a wonderful way to get a collaboration going. Kids love taking photos, and definitely love being able to hold a giant professional camera. Of course, the idea of getting kids interested in photography at an early age is one that’s near and dear to my heart! Thanks for commenting, and the idea of mentoring kids might be a great future article!

By: Joanie

Joanie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:55:25 +0000

Did I miss the part where you recommend standing on your head to make them laugh?

What about mentoring them and encouraging them to take a photo or two? Kids who are interested love that! One little girl brought her camera and we reviewed different functions before we started shooting. Halfway through the shoot, she would take one shot of me (or her mom or her sisters) for each shot I took of her. We compared results and she got better with every click.