| Kids parties and pictures go together like | | | | dynamic and balanced by utilizing the "rule |
| cake and ice cream. If you're the designated | | | | of thirds". Mentally divide your picture |
| shutterbug for a kids party, be sure you're | | | | into a 9 box tic-tac-toe grid. Now align |
| up to the task. A quick study of these | | | | your vertical subject 1/3 of the way over |
| valuable picture-taking tips shows you how to | | | | from the left or right. Then align your |
| become a first rate kid party photographer.1. | | | | horizonal matter 1/3 of the way from the top |
| PREPAREIf you're going digital, make sure | | | | or bottom. Practice a bit on this before the |
| your memory stick has enough space to | | | | party to see how different subject placements |
| accommodate the pictures you intend to take. | | | | effect the resulting photo.7. BE QUICKKids |
| Delete or download as necessary. Check and | | | | are usually on the move, especially when the |
| charge the battery too.If you're using film, | | | | sugar from the cake and ice cream kick in. |
| be sure you have more than enough so you | | | | Be prepared to capture the moment quickly. |
| don't have to run out to the store in the | | | | Waiting too long to get the shot will ruin a |
| middle of the action. Check and replace | | | | good candid and can even make antsy kids run |
| batteries if necessary. If your camera | | | | when they see you coming!8. ONE POSE FOR |
| requires it, set it to match the ISO on the | | | | POSTERITYTake one group shot of the party |
| film.2. TELL THE STORY OF THE EVENTApproach | | | | child and guests for your |
| your next kids party as if it were an | | | | |
| adventure which you are going to record for | | | | scrapbook. This is also a wonderful little |
| posterity from beginning to end. This will | | | | remembrance to send along with thank-you |
| mean capturing the significant high points of | | | | notes. To make it more interesting, pose |
| the party such as the guests arriving, | | | | kids with costumes or props which relate to |
| playing party games, opening presents, and of | | | | the party theme.For example, guests at a |
| course the cake and ice cream "Happy Birthday | | | | pirate theme party can pose with their |
| to You" part.When you download your pictures | | | | bandannas and eyepatches, looking like fierce |
| to share with relatives and friends, organize | | | | buccaneers. Guests at a princess party could |
| them in chronological order to tell the | | | | pose in their pretty dress-up clothes. |
| complete party story. This is just as easy | | | | Guests at a construction party can pose with |
| to do if you scrapbook your party showing | | | | their trucks in the sandbox.9. DON'T LEAVE IT |
| just how the day evolved from start to | | | | IN THE CAMERADue to busy lifestyles, the |
| finish.3. CANDIDS OVER "CHEESE"Candids are | | | | tendency to leave cherished photos in the |
| simply more fun than posed pictures. Scope | | | | digital camera for weeks or months is great. |
| out party guests doing cute, interesting or | | | | Don't wait until your important pictures are |
| outrageous things. Look for different | | | | accidentally deleted or lost. Download them |
| expressions on their faces, capture them with | | | | to your computer as soon as possible after |
| a bow on their head or trying to pop a | | | | the event. Similarly, make an effort to |
| balloon with their bottom (a popular kids | | | | finish the film in your still camera and |
| party game!) Those spontaneous moments are a | | | | develop the pictures |
| photographer's dream!Candids give you many | | | | |
| more opportunities for those silly snapshots | | | | right away.10. FILE OR SCRAPBOOKThis is an |
| that put a smile on people's faces.4. KEEP IT | | | | often neglected step in the picture-taking |
| AT EYE LEVELFor a more intimate and | | | | process, but it's important to have a safe |
| involved-in-the-moment picture, get down to | | | | method of filing and storing your pictures. |
| the level of your subjects. Make sure your | | | | There are many software programs available to |
| lens is at the same height as the children's | | | | help you sort and store digital pictures on |
| eyes.5. ZOOM INThis is the number one mistake | | | | your hard drive. They usually have a free |
| most amateur photographers make when snapping | | | | trial period to see if you like working with |
| pictures. Too much headroom, too much | | | | the program. Non-digital pictures can be |
| background, and not enough of your subject | | | | scanned onto your computer, placed in a |
| make for boring images. Pictures are so much | | | | scrapbook, or stored in special photo storage |
| more engaging when you can actually see who's | | | | boxes.When all is said and done, you'll have |
| in them! Make a conscious effort to get up | | | | captured the special moments of joy and |
| close and personal before you click the | | | | excitement at your child's birthday party or |
| shutter.6. BACKGROUND AND COMPOSITIONHow you | | | | other special occasion. A truly memorable |
| position and frame your subject adds to the | | | | collection that will entertain and make you |
| appeal of the picture. To do this | | | | smile for years to come.Copyright 2005 Kids |
| successfully you must be aware of the "bigger | | | | Party Paradise All Rights ReservedPatricia |
| picture" in the viewfinder. First, make sure | | | | B. Jensen is a mother of three and kids party |
| there are no trees or poles growing out of | | | | enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner |
| kids heads.No decapitations either, please. | | | | of - a complete resource for kids party ideas |
| By taking a breath and holding it, you are | | | | including invitations, cakes, decorations, |
| better able to hold the camera steady while | | | | games, costumes, favors, and food.For all the |
| pressing on the shutter. This prevents the | | | | latest party news, read her |
| camera from moving downward and cutting off | | | | |
| your subjects' heads.Make your picture more | | | | Kids Party Blog. |