It's Raining, It's Snowing... 10 Tips on Taking Pictures of Your Kids in the Snow

Targeted Obsession: Photography/ Children

If you're in the targeted zones of winter storm Jonas like us, than you've bought your milk and bread, laid out your kids make-shift "snow gear," and are watching the world outside turn white. We get at least one good snow a year in Charlotte where the world shuts down and a surprise holiday ensues. It's fantastic! I always look forward to the special family time required by the dangerous driving conditions that keeps us all at home. It's such a wonderful time for my family that I always want to "capture" the memories on camera. So if you're like me and want to take some great pictures of your kids in the snow, keep reading! Here are my tips to capturing your powdery holiday behind the lens:

1. Take your photos within the first 5 minutes you're outside. 

Still nice and toasty... However, with all the layers I had her in, she probably wouldn't have gotten cold. Poor thing could hardly sit up!

Prepare the kids. Let them know you want just a few pictures of them smiling and then you'll play too. My four year old has realized if he smiles, it's over quick! Don't push your luck though. If you say you're only taking 3 pictures, only take 3. Those four year olds can count! ;) Also, taking pictures first means the snow around you is undisturbed, family members aren't wet, and no one is whining because it's cold... yet.

2. Pick a spot with a good background. 

Nothing distracting from that handsome face... except the neon colors... but you can't win them all! 

Consistency is key. If there's a spot that's totally wooded, that's perfect... but if there's a shed in front of those woods, the shed could take away from your pictures. You want nothing in the background to stand out so attention isn't taken away from the main subjects of your picture. The less in the background, the better.

3. Put distance between your kids and the background. 

See that blur?! 

If you have distance in-between your kids and the background, then you're going to get a bokeh effect, or blur from the part of your photo that's not in focus. A blurred background helps your kids stand out even more. This is where nicer cameras and awesome lenses help photographers. Good lenses enable you to control your focus... this is also why it's nice to learn how to shoot SLR cameras on manual settings... you can control the bokeh. BUT... even putting distance between your subject and the background on a cell phone camera will help you obtain the bokeh effect.

4. Get low... shoot from the level of your children!

Life from their viewpoint.

Don't stand up and take pictures of your kids in the snow. Crouch down so you can meet them at eye level. This helps the picture to seem more life-like.

5. Every photo doesn't have to be perfectly centered.

Text aligned right... haha... get it?

In photography, it's called "the rule of thirds"... but all you need to know is that things don't always have to be centered. Think of it like Microsoft Word. You can align your text in Word to the right, left, or you can center it. The same thing applies when you're lining up the subjects of your picture in your camera.

6. Overcast light is best.

Today was perfect for pictures! Cloudy all day!

If you shoot in direct, bright sunlight, you are going to get hard looking pictures. The light will either make things too bright or will cast unflattering shadows. If you shoot in the shade, you run the risk of your picture looking grey or dark. Often on snowy days there are lots of clouds... this is perfect! Try to start your "five minute" photo session when there are clouds overhead.

7. Be in a picture!

Always makes my day to be in a *good* picture with my kids!

In 20 years,  you'll be glad. I love looking back at pictures of my parents with me when I was little. Too often we forget to take pictures of ourselves because our lives are so centered around our children. But by being in a pic yourself, you ARE thinking of your children! They'll love seeing you in the pictures years down the road and most likely, you'll make their memory of you stronger by giving a visual reminder of you on that day.

8. Let them play.

This began the snow eating for the day. Playing in the snow for Ridge includes eating it. Oh my.

Pictures of kids playing are always the best. The smiles are genuine. I love my son's profile. And his sweet laugh. I feel like all of the small things that make him who he is to me come out so much more in pictures where he's just being himself. So let your kids play! Sometimes it's even fun to play a game of "Simon Says" while you're taking photos. The kids will do what you want, so the photo session will be easier on you, but they are also playing- so they're happier and being more genuine.

9. After 5 minutes, put the camera down.

Certainly not the pic I was hoping for... but at least I was in a few!

It took me a while to learn this one. If you don't get the "exact" picture you want, put the camera down. Maybe it's not meant to be on that day... what IS meant to be are the memories you'll make playing with your kids. Taking pictures the whole time isn't as fun for you or them, so set a photo time limit and then join your family.

10. Mess around with your photos in an editing program.

This picture was horribly bright until Photoshop rescued it.

Even if it's only in the photo viewer on your computer or the filters in your phone, play with your photos. You might hate the way they turn out, but if that's the case, then you just don't save your edits. It hurts nothing and very well could enhance your pictures tremendously! Adding just a little color saturation or brightening a picture just a tad could make all the difference. Before hitting "save," ask yourself... does this look "real?" If not, keep the picture the way it was to begin with... after all... it's all about capturing your family's memories!