Top tips for photographing kids in the snow.

Snow fun in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire

One week ago at the time of writing, we had an amazing snow day in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. It was old fashioned type of snow and so I thought it would be brilliant to get the kids out and go for a little walk and have some fun in the snow.

I decided as we don’t get snow like this very often it would be brilliant to take my camera and capture some pictures of my kids. I knew they would only allow me about five minutes to get some pictures as all they wanted to do was to have a snowball fight, do some sledging and build snowmen so here’s a few tips for you.

Check out this little video that I did.

Top tips on photographing your kids

1 – Just Do it!

In the words of Nike”Just do it”! Just get out and take some pictures. It can be with your phone, a point and shoot camera or the best DSLR camera in the world but just get out and take some pictures.

2 – Posing is pants

In my opinion posed pictures aren’t what I want, however you have to start somewhere. My kids always do weird posing as soon as I get my camera out. I pride myself on being a documentary photographer and capturing moments so that’s how I want to photograph my kids. I usually have to get the posed pictures out of the way and then they forget about me.

3 – Black & White is great

Our eyes often get distracted by clutter and colour. Sometimes you have a picture where you just want the viewer to look and get straight into the emotion of the picture. This is where black and white is your friend. I love a good black and white picture so don’t be afraid to try it. Take the picture in colour and then with your editing software try it in black and white. Every picture doesn’t look good in monochrome but try for yourself.

4 – Put yourself in the firing line

I knew that I had about a five minute window of taking pictures before my kids made me put my camera away. Let’s remember, I’m being a dad in this moment and just taking a few snaps. As I wanted to take some action shots I decided that the best way would be to lay on the floor and allow my kids chuck snowballs at me, that way they would be entertained and I would have the opportunity to get a few pictures.

5 – Concentrate on the reactions

I know from experience that the best photograph doesn’t come from the action, it always comes from the reaction. The kids LOVED chucking snowballs at me, but they found it funnier when the snowballs actually hit me and that’s where the best picture is, the reaction. Always be prepared and keep photographing.

6 – Know when to stop

Before I even took my camera out I had given my kids realistic expectations. I had told them that it doesn’t snow very often so I would love to have just five minutes of them having their pictures taken. As someone who has been photographing people for over the last decade, I’ve learned a thing or two about body language and being able to read when people have had enough. I was happy with the few pictures that I had taken and knew it was time to be a dad and play in the snow.

7 – Print the pictures

This one is a really important tip. Every now and then print your pictures. I would suggest printing some pictures each month or each season. Just choose your favourites and then send them to a printers. In my opinion a picture doesn’t exist unless it is tangible, print them and frame them or put them in an album. These are really special memories and it’s great to have them to look back on.

If you are looking for someone to create those special memories for you then please get in touch john@johnsteelphotography.com

I will leave you with some pictures, I’ve even added a few landscape pictures from my snowy walk.