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