Children & visiting relatives

Stiffly-posed pictures are not the answer

It’s all right, we suppose, to have your child or children stand stiffly beside Aunt Mary who’s visiting from the other side of the country just so she can have a keepsake photo of her posing with her nieces or nephews. But it would be much better if Aunt Mary and your child were photographed in a natural moment while the pair were interacting, playing a game perhaps, laughing or just chatting.

Aunt Mary would treasure such a picture, much more than a posed one because it shows a warm, human and family relationship with her niece or nephews on a level that no posed picture can demonstrate. And your children, when looking at the picture months from now, would remember their aunt better for her personality and their interaction.

If one or the other is shy or they simply haven’t had a tête-a-tête yet, you may have to generate the moment, help it along a bit. Suggest that your son or daughter show their aunt something that could be of mutual interest (a favorite toy, how to play a game, a homework project that got good marks, a baseball glove, the family album - the list could go on and on). Or, ask her to engage your child’s interest by playing a card game, using a map to show her travel route or where her home is located and explaining what it is like to live there, or telling them anecdotes about their mom or dad when they were youngsters (that always gets them).

The key is to have them personally interact and be ready with your camera. Later, they will both treasure the moment-in-time picture of their relationship, no matter how brief, and be grateful that you set the stage.

RELATIVES WITH VISITING CHILDREN

When you take the kids to visit their grandparents or other relations, it would be a shame to leave the camera at home. (In fact, we can’t see why your camera should not go on almost all your family trips and holidays.) Not only will your family album benefit from a photo of your children with Grandma and Grandpa (or Aunt and Uncle), but your relatives will also be delighted when you send them a print to remind them of your visit.

Although a quick snapshot is the way many people approach their family photography, with just a little thought and effort, pictures you take of your family can be of better quality.

Many people think they need bright sun to take their people pictures. Quite the contrary. The soft, even lighting found under an overcast sky is ideal for portraits. Direct sun is too harsh and contrasty, especially if the grandparents are elderly. Facial wrinkles are de-emphasized by placing them in diffused lighting. If it’s sunny, place them and your kids in shade outdoors for pleasant illumination. See our section entitled Quick tips for kids’ pictures for many pointers that also apply to photographing kids and relatives.

Keep the scene simple by removing clutter and anything that doesn’t belong in the picture. Remember to move in so your subjects fill the frame.

Look for good candid picture opportunities, when your kids and relatives may be interacting. Grandma may simply be holding your little one on her lap. Or she might be teaching her granddaughter about baking cookies. Uncle Jim may be huddled over his family’s album with your young son. Watch for high points in their interaction. A moment of laughter, of intense concentration, a hug or simply when the two are looking at each other. You’ll be capturing their relationship on film, which is always far better than most posed pictures.