Why aren’t the Instagram photos of your kids as gorgeous as those from parent infl uencers? ELISA CHIA gets one mummy to spill the dos and don’ts.
Why aren’t the Instagram photos of your kids as gorgeous as those from parent infl uencers? ELISA CHIA gets one mummy to spill the dos and don’ts.
Daphne Erokhin, 35, bought a Nikon D5100 camera to shoot photos for her online clothing store, Dreams Avenue, but ended up taking more pictures of her daughters Naomi, seven, and Skyler, three (pictured), instead. Despite having no background in photography, she's amassed over 11,500 followers with her engaging pictures. Visit www.instagram.com/daphneerokhin.
LIGHTING
Natural light is best for photo-taking and helps capture focused shots of active kids. I love window lighting, too. It can brighten the photos naturally with a soft glow. Direct sunlight can be too harsh.
COMPOSITION
Use your surroundings to help “frame” the picture. I like to look out for architectural features. In this example, using the hole in the wall helps make the photo a more interesting one, as compared to one that is snapped without thought.
LOCATION
Setting a theme and choosing the perfect location for a shoot can be a game changer. For Chinese New Year, taking photos at Chinatown will accentuate the festive feel. Time your visit and go when there it’s less crowded, so it will be easier to get your shot. It will also be less stressful for you and the kids.
ANGLE
I usually position the camera at my children’s eye level or lower. Sometimes, I change my angle just so I can let more light in, as well as to capture a more interesting perspective. Look how I caught her reflection in the glass, in this example. If your kids don’t like to pose, it’s okay. Just be ready to snap candid shots when they are playing.
PHOTOS DAPHNE EROKHIN
