It’s been a while since we had a good ole fashioned photography pow-wow – let’s get to it!
So first – what I am working with over here.
I have always shot with Canon but I did try out a friends Nikon for an afternoon and it was like learning to brush my teeth with the opposite hand….the principles of oral cleanliness still exist but your brain is trained to move your hands in certain ways and when it came to my ‘brush job’ I am sure a hygienist would have laughed. If you didn’t get that convoluted analogy – I was slow and although the camera still took great photos – I prefer the Canon 🙂
I started off with the Canon Rebel and it was an amazing starter camera. I highly HIGHLY recommend it if you are looking to get a DSLR and are nervous about the whole “grown up” camera thing. It has a lot of capabilities that are perfect for a starter and the fact that you get introduced to interchangeable lenses is priceless.
You can purchase the stock lens – like the 18-55mm but you will also need a nifty fifty lens (named that because it is the 50mm) and it is super affordable and takes amazing portrait photos (like the ones where the background is blurry but the person is in focus! or ones that have those blurry twinkle lights in the background – it’s called BOKEH!). This is the lens that does that.
The nifty fifty also has a more expensive and a little bit sexier big sister…it has is the 50mm 1.4 and it is only SLIGHTLY different…but honestly – I have both and think the nifty fifty is the better sibling (little sisters rule!).
So after I had the Rebel, I started taking photos of other people and getting paid for it – as in I was a legit people photographer. It was awesome. I still love it. I didn’t charge much and I really loved doing newborns, kids and teens…
Yup. I had the most attractive clients on the planet.
And during that time, I sprung for the Canon 5D Mark II. It is a beefy professional camera that many wedding photographers and portrait photographers and videographers use. Over the last few years – it died. The shutter in your camera can literally do that with use and it is very common to need to upgrade.
When it came to the next camera, I really wanted to get the Mark III (shown below) but in the end, we decided to get the 70D because of the wi-fi capabilities, the flip out screen (for overhead blog shots) and the touch screen (to make focusing easier for Jeremy). I love it so far! I really think that the 70D is made for bloggers specifically!
So now that you know what I am dealing with….let’s talk about some general ideas of photography if you really want to improve your skills and get great shots of your own kids, other folks and in general, just capture life more beautifully!
CHANGE YOUR POSITION!
So I want you to take this piece of advice as SOLID GOLD….it is really important to have yoga pants on. You are gonna contort your body into all sorts of positions to get THE shot and the last thing you need is a wedgie or a crack attack or non stretchy pants to get in your way. You want to get LOW for those baby and toddler pics or maybe climb, lift or bend for the perfect overhead. Do not do the whole “you move and I’ll shoot” thing…you are the photographer – make the angle happen.
LEARN TO SHOOT WITHOUT YOUR EYE
This was something that I think is really important for babies and toddlers…they need eye contact but inevitably your eyes are not available. One is squinted closed and the other is behind the camera. No bueno. You can set up your shot and your angle and even your focus and learn to keep your angle and focus and lift your head up to interact with the little one. It will make for a more natural smile and happier client 🙂
FIGURE OUT YOUR EDITING STYLE
I am still struggling with this at times….I think it comes from a deep love of ALL photography styles. But if you plan on shooting for someone else…know what your editing style is and be able to make all the photos fit that style. I adopted the idea of “Bright, Happy and Beautiful” when it came to my clients. As you can see above – the photo of LJ is not edited to a style that would reflect my clients expectation. It is a little more moody and a little more gritty. You can definitely play around with styles for your personal use and get a variety but keep in mind that knowing how you edit can dictate what you shoot.
CREATE SMILE OPPORTUNITIES
I always say that getting smiles is a learned skill. You need to have a bag of tricks that is VERY deep in order to get those little ones to smile and sometimes knowing that kid’s sense of humor is very important. If you are a parent taking your own kid’s photo – you have an advantage! Here are some ways I get my kids to smile or laugh – ask them to for eight seconds (simple but really effective), ask them to jump, make silly noises, tell them a joke, tell them to show you their teeth, ask them their name and say it’s the wrong one, pretend to fall, put them in silly situations (like LJ was slipping on the trampoline above!), sing a song and tell them to not steal the words (then say HEY! when they do), have a toy that you balance on your head, etc. The options are really endless.
CAPTURE THE DETAILS
Sometimes the photography experience isn’t about the faces…sometimes it is more. And when it is more – capture those details and put those in your baby book. You don’t have to see Weston’s face above to know that he is jumping as high and as hard as he can muster. You can see the intensity in his little clenched fist! Imagine this paired with his happy resting face. You can tell the story of a chilly afternoon of trampoline-ing with two photos!
BE READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Sometimes you have your camera in that moment….that perfectly weird or funny or happy moment…and when you do, be prepared. You can learn your settings really quickly just by reading the manual or taking a quick course. Train your fingers to adjust for lighting. Train the mind to memorize your steps to a good picture so that when the opportunity strikes, you are ready to shoot. Not every photo will be perfect and some might be complete duds but if you have that muscle memory – turn this, press this, adjust and shoot, check, reshoot, refocus, shoot, check. It will become a second nature. And the very first step is just to have your camera within grabbing distance.
I hope that you guys all get out there today with your camera! I know I am! Today we head off to Texas and we can’t wait to explore! I have a bunch of awesome posts for you and I can’t wait to share! Follow me on Instagram @bowerpowerblog to follow our Lone Star State adventures! Happy Shooting!
Kd says
Thank you for this post! I am one of the creepy stalker ones that never comments but always reads… In fact I think I am a bit obsessed –like I think we are friends haha! Can you tell me any advice on what editing software to use for the Mac? Have fun in TX!
Courtney says
I’m a Canon girl, too. I think I “mostly” have the photography side of things understood, but I could use some major help on editing. Sigh.
Rebecca says
Oh. My. Word. LJ’s hair in that last picture is just about the most hilarious thing ever!
Jennifer laura says
Not a photographer here, but I did want to learn a few months ago- this is really good advice! I wish I had gotten to the point of being able to adjust the settings naturally! For anyone looking for the technical know how behind this kind of advice I couldn’t recommend shoot fly shoot (the lettered cottages husbands business) more, really dumbed it down to a place that made a lot of sense and it was a super affordable online (video based!) course.
Hannah says
Yay! Thank you so much for sharing your tips! I’ve definitely need to work on some of them, mainly just getting to know my camera super well and working on my editing style. What lenses do you use for the Canon70D? Any recommendations for a wide-angle lens?
~Hannah
Dani @ Danielle and Co. says
Thanks for the equipment reqs! It helps to actually hear WHY you enjoyed one camera or preferred a lens, etc. so thank you for explaining it! I still have a point and shoot, and a DSLR is on my wishlist for very soon, so this was also great timing! 🙂
Nicole says
Thanks for all the tips! I’ve been trying to get my camera out more but with 4 kids it’s a struggle but so worth it! 🙂 Can I ask where you got your camera strap?!
Maya says
I haven’t even taken pics with anything but a cell phone in years, but this post made me want to buy an SLR!!! Awesome tips and amazing photographs… I love your recent ones of your kids.
Megan says
I’ve always shot with Canon and got the Mark II and honestly hate it. I wish I had stuck with my Rebel and just got the newer version. The Mark is still in decent condition so I’m tempted to sell it and just get a Rebel again. I’m no professional but do have a background in photography so I know a camera. I just hate how I spent so much money on a camera I hate. Glad you like the 70D, I wish I could get it.
Katie Craig says
Katie – I’m in this exact position of springing for an adult camera and have been thinking about the Rebel. I will use it MOSTLY for photographing my artwork, so relatively close up in well lit settings. Do you suggest getting both the stock and nifty fifty, or you do think I could get away with just one of them?
Katie says
I always recommend that if you are starting out – just play around on a free trial of photoshop and upload Pioneer Woman’s free actions for Mac or get a free trial of lightroom. You can google all those things and it is really easy to set up. Then you can do easy editing and understand what ‘contrast’ is or what actions do. This can help you decide on what is the best fit for you!
xo – kb
Katie says
Yes! I love Layla and Kevin’s tutorials…you should definitely check those out y’all!
xo – kb
Katie says
I have the 50mm, the 85mm, the 24-70mm and then the stock 18-55mm…my favorite is the 50mm for portraits and the 24-70 is a workhorse! I don’t have a wide angle lens but I have my eye on a couple!
xo – kb
Katie says
I got it for christmas one year! It was off Amazon.
xo – kb
Katie says
Oh no! What is it that you don’t like? The bulk? How do you feel about the cropped sensor vs full frame? I have heard some issues about the focus sensor and I definitely dealt with that after the first few years. I think if you are really against it – it is always better to sell it and go for something you love.
xo – kb
Katie says
Well, from what I have read about photographing art, you probably could do just the fifty but with a polarizing lens. Here is a great post about how to set things up.
xo – kb
Katie Craig says
Thank you, KB! I’ll check out that post. Have a fab time in Fort Worth. I’m waving at you from Dallas!
Nicole says
Thanks!!
Sarah says
I just linked to this post from your 2016 recap so I’m not sure you’ll see this comment, but I’m hoping!
I have a basic Rebel DSLR that’s about 10 years old, and I find myself constantly frustrated that it doesn’t seem to focus as sharply as I’d like. I always assumed that it was related to a combination of my skill (or lack thereof) and my subjects (a toddler and an infant), but now I’m wondering if it’s the camera itself. Have you found that there’s a certain “age” of your equipment when it starts to wear out?
I bought a Nifty Fifty per the recommendation from one of your photography posts, and I absolutely love it. Now I’m wondering if I’d love it more with a new camera body!
Katie says
My Mark II definitely wore out. It has to do with the shutter. It’s a machine and after a certain number of photos taken, they slow down. If you are looking for a new body, the next step up is the 70D. I have it and it’s great 🙂
xo – kb