Take Better Pictures: Elders

Tamara from Mamarazzi & Co. always posts extremely informative tips and tricks on how to make everyday photos unforgettable memories.

Recently, she posted her tips on how to photograph your child with older relatives or friends:

For those of us blessed to have a network of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends, we can never forget how important it is to include them in photos with our children. True, we could snap pics of our little jam faces defining every facet of cuteness all day, every day, but these memories… they’re not going to make themselves! Legacy photos will forever be images that encourage us to stop for a moment and take us back: to the person, to the time and to the love.

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Those photos of everyone gathered and smiling at the camera are fine n’ dandy. But why not take it a step further, and document all those little times in between when everyone gathered to enjoy together, and not just for that one obligatory group shot. 

1. Let them be

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

When we first arrived, Isla’s Gran was on the phone securing some appointments. Even though Isla is very comfortable and loves being around her Gran, I plopped her on the floor with some toys anyway, letting her get used to the room and us all being there. This is especially key with children who “play strange” or adults who are easily flustered by the whirlwind activity of toddlers. If you want photos of them together, a casual, stress-free warm-up period can go a long way than an instant “shove in your face” smooch session. 

2. Catch the action

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

If you wait too long for that so-called perfect shot, babe(s) on Gran’s knee, everyone looking at the camera smiling, you could find yourself out of luck. While it’s not impossible, there are so many other opportunities you could have missed along the way. Keep shooting. Worst case scenario? You can delete bad ones later. 

3. Don’t say “CHEESE” *every* time

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

You know what your child looks like. You know what your grandmother looks like. So get pictures of what they look like when they’re together. And I don’t mean side by side, smiling for you. I mean interacting, engaging and enjoying each other’s company. 

4. Keep moving. Quietly.

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

They may not be side by side, but they’re both in the frame, without question. By moving from one side of the room to another, a new perspective was found without distracting from their playing. 

5. Still think like a Mamarazzi

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Mind your backgrounds and details. Here I saw her hospital bed and cords were hanging about. If you want the environment of the room to add context, that’s one thing, but don’t be afraid to zoom in tighter (see below) or crop in post-production. 

6. Keep everyone comfortable

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

Kids can be overwhelming energy zappers. One thing hard for elders to accommodate is the busy nature of children, especially if there are lots to go around. Our own matriarch on my husband’s side is the proud great grandmother of six, soon to be seven little ones under the age of six. But they’re an active bunch and, while she’s tough and ready for them every time, many in her position are not. 

If this had been a photo a few months ago after Gran had surgery on her wrist, we would have propped Isla up beside her, or had someone hold her close. Respect everyone’s limitations and you’ll go far in lengthening the shoot, rather than cutting it off abruptly and not getting those pictures you want for your frames.

7. Don’t fret the small stuff

Manual | 1/125 @ f/5.6, ISO 400

This photo may be blurry, but it’s a keeper nonetheless. A bad photo taken yesterday is better than none taken at all. If you don’t snap what you’d like to this time around, what a great excuse to get together again soon.