Tips for Photographing Kids - Portraits in their Room

Spring is just around the corner which means the days are longer, brighter and spring cleaning is on the minds of many. I feel like I am nesting (for no reason, really) and find myself wanting to organize every nook and cranny in my home! Besides thinking about every closet I want to redo, I've also found myself wanting to cherish the stages my kids are currently at. We've had a lot of fun playing together lately, we are SO excited for springtime and I just can't get enough of them. 

So my twins went through about a week spurt where they decided they didn't want to argue over toys and realized they could be best friends (unfortunately, it didn't last very long... now it's hit or miss). The whole morning I was free to observe and not be a referee! Hallelujah! It was so much fun to sit back in the doorway while they laughed, played princesses, snuggled, jumped around, tucked each other in and sang at the top of their lungs in their room. They didn't even know I was there with my camera, documenting a memory that meant so much to me. 

This led me to realize how much I love having photos of them in their room! So I'm posting another challenge out there - try and capture the essence of your children in their room(s). Even if it's just a small corner of a shared room; these are moments and details in your life that you won't want to forget. PS: How awesome is the artwork my friend made in this little guys' nursery?   

Think of getting different angles and getting on their level. Be creative!

If you have a toddler, try and get some candid shots of them playing with a favorite toy, snuggled with a favorite blanket or just exploring and playing in their territory.

Maybe you intrude on quiet time to remember what their favorite book was when they were three, six or even ten years old.

Try and let a lot of that fresh spring daylight into the room (try to bump up your ISO number to let in more light). I love being able to remember the everyday details and routine by documenting little ones in their element, in their room.  

Just let them do their thing so it's not planned out and they don't feel pressure; you'll get more photos that are raw and real. Kids are hilarious, entertaining and full of life. They are my favorite subject matter, hands down. Take your camera out a little more often while they play and practice getting better! You won't regret it!

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