Pro photography tips for the #InstaMom
Up your photography game + capture memories of your little ones. All you need is your phone!
I’m Kay, owner of Raise Me Wild, and the photographer behind most the images you see on our website and feed! I'm a proud mom of three and also have over a decade of experience as a wedding photographer.
I may be biased, but I think photography is one of the best hobbies you can pick up, especially as a mama! Use these tips to photograph your little one like a pro.
Tip #1 — Find the light
Good light is key! If you’re shooting indoors, all you need is a window. The closer you are to the window, the more harsh the light is. Stay far enough away that the light is soft.
When shooting outside, there are a lot of lighting techniques. But if you’re a beginner and shooting on a phone, best bet is to put your little one in the shade. You’ll stand between them and the light. If you don’t have shade, shoot with the sun behind your little one at your 2 or 10 o’clock.
Tip #2 — Create a clean backdrop
Watch for distractions in the background. Clean up anything around your child that isn’t telling part of the story. My favorite place to photograph my kids is on a bed, with a plain white wall behind them. Simple, and the focus stays right where you want it…on your little one! Also note that light colors reflect and will make for a great backdrop.
Tip #3 — Choose the right outfit
An adorable pair of handmade leather shoes will do the trick, lol. But in all seriousness, a cute but simple outfit goes a long way. I stay away from bright and neon colors that will reflect onto their skin.
Tip #4 — Get down to their level
Get your squats in for the day and shoot them straight on. For a unique perspective, you can also shoot from directly above, and each side. Be purposeful with your angles.
Tip #5 — Just let them be them, and wait for the moment.
This might be the most important tip! I may give my kids prompts such as “Ohhhh, look at these pretty rocks” or “show me your dance” or “hug your sister” but I don’t “pose" them. Follow them around ready to capture those real and candid moments.
Tip #6 — Edit your pictures!
Learn the Lightroom mobile app! It's free and easy to learn. I edit our images with my custom preset pack that I created, that enhances the image while still keeping the colors natural and timeless.
Hope this helps you snap some amazing shots of your little one. For those of you posting images of them on Insta in their Raise Me Wild's - be sure to tag us @rasiemewild for a chance to be featured on our blog and/or website.