School and Childcare Portrait Photography

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Don't Say Cheese! The Ultimate Guide to Taking Amazing iPad Photos for Childcare Observations

As a professional childcare and kindy portrait photographer I’d like to offer some advice in taking photographs of your little ones for your observations and documentation for parents. It is an essential medium to share your children’s enjoyment of the program you offer, so let’s ensure some of the basic photography rules are not overlooked.

"Ideally, to capture children in the moment you are best to stay low and take the photograph without the child knowing."

Catherine Lowe, Managing Director School Portrait Art

The best way to photograph children using an iPad for observation in your childcare setting is to not ask them to pose. If the child looks up at you from their activity, ask them to continue, and direct them back towards what they are participating in by talking about the work they are doing. Parents want to know what activities captivated their child’s curiosity so seeing their child engaged is much more interesting then the usual grit-teethed-cheesy-grin the parents are use to (when trying to take portraits) at home.

Here's my top 8 tips for improving your early childhood education observation photography:

Check you’re always in focus
Check the light
Change the advanced camera settings on your iPad
Master the art of observing incognito
Show the learning space environment
Be aware of the background
Check your perspective
Look for the interactions between educators and children

For the best pictures of children, get down low so you are eye to eye at their level and capture their activity incognito.

Check you're always in focus

To combat the slight shutter delay of an iPad, it is important to anticipate the shot and click the button a few seconds before the actual desired moment. This way, you have a higher chance of capturing the shot you want.

Hold the device very stable, rest the device on a stable surface or use your elbow (whilst holding the iPad) on a table like a tripod to keep steady. Especially inside in dark light as the shutter will be slow which means it will easily blur any slight movement.

Another option is to use burst mode.

This allows the iPad to take a series of rapid-fire shots, increasing the chances of capturing the perfect moment. Burst mode can be activated by holding down the shutter button on the camera app or pressing the volume up button on the side of the iPad.

If you have trouble with the camera focus, try tapping the screen where you want the focus to be. This will ensure that the camera focuses on the right area and will create a sharp, clear image.

By being aware of the slight shutter delay and utilizing burst mode, tapping the screen for focus, and keeping the iPad steady, you can take great photos of fast-moving children for your childcare observations.

Check the light

Before you take any pictures, make sure to check the lighting in the room. Avoid taking photos in areas with harsh or direct light, as it can create unflattering shadows and wash out the subject. Instead, try to find a spot where the subject child is in solid shade; soft, diffused light that will make your subject look natural and well-lit.

Change the Advanced Camera Settings on Your iPad

Take advantage of the advanced camera settings on your iPad. Adjust the exposure, focus, and white balance to make sure your photos are sharp, clear, and correctly exposed. Experiment with different settings to see what works best in your particular environment.

Master the Art of Observing Incognito

To capture authentic moments of children in your childcare setting, it's important to be as unobtrusive as possible. Try to blend in with the environment and observe quietly from a distance.

Show the Learning Space Environment

Parents want to see more than just their child's face in a photo. Remember to capture the environment around them as well, including the learning materials and resources available. This will give parents a better understanding of the activities and opportunities available to their child.

Be Aware of the Background

Be mindful of what's in the background of your photos. Avoid cluttered or distracting backgrounds that take away from the subject. Instead, look for simple and clean backgrounds that will highlight the child and their activity.

Check Your Perspective

Experiment with different angles and perspectives to create interesting and dynamic photos. Get down low to take pictures from a child's point of view, or try a bird's-eye view for a unique perspective.

Look for Interactions Between Educators and Children

This is actually my BEST TIP, as this is what I focus on when I visit centre for Marketing Photography sessions.

Capture moments where educators are engaging with the children. Whether it's through play or a learning activity, these interactions are valuable to parents and show the kind of care and attention their child is receiving.

By following these tips, you can take great iPad photos for childcare observations that capture the joy and learning happening in your program. Remember, the best photos are the ones that show children in their natural state, engaged and curious in their environment.