The professionals seem to know all the secrets to getting a great shot: location, lighting, posing just to name a few. The professional portraits are gorgeous. I've always thought of having one done. But, if you'd like to try it yourself, or maybe you're not quite ready to spend the money to invest in a professional portrait, I have some great advice.
I asked Barry Cox, an award-winning photographer from Mantua, New Jersey, to offer some tips for parents. Cox Photography is one of countless studios who offer to take family beach portraits.
Barry gave me some practical advice that you might want to try:
SUNLIGHT: Everyone snaps pictures in the height of the day with the sun directly overhead. But, if you're really looking for a great portrait, make a special trip. The best time to take the photo is early in the morning or late in the day.
WARDROBE: Beach bikinis are adorable, but for a portrait you'll save forever, you may want to choose a soft, flowy outfit in pastels. You want to keep the attention on your child, not the outfit.
LOCATION: You're not allowed to shoot photos on the dunes. But the beach sometime looks like a desert! Try an entranceway to the beach where you'll see some of the dunes in the background and take the picture wide enough to see the environment. I know I always crop my pictures too tight. In the end, you can't tell where my kids were!
FUN: When your kids are playing in the sand, don't ask them to stop what they're doing and stand still or posed. Try to capture them having fun. You'll treasure those pictures even more. Try to resist the urge to have your child say "cheese". Instead capture them gazing at the beach, or focusing on their sand castle.
I hope this helps!
http://www.coxphotography.com/
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