Curls for Keepsake: Practical Tips for Haircut Photography
Whether you're doing it yourself or hiring a photographer, these tips will give you a great photography experience and beautiful results.
The lovely curls of the three-year-old, the sweet smile, and the moments when Grandpa cuts his hair are moments you must capture to always be able to look at the photos and relive the exciting experience.
Whether you go to a photographer or take the photos yourself, the tips will help you organize and get the most out of your time.
A Time for Everything
There's nothing like outdoor photography for a 3-year-old. Besides his happy looks from being outside, the scenery around will provide a much nicer photo.
The best hours for outdoor photography are two to three hours after sunrise or two hours before sunset.
During these hours, the sun is lower, and the light is soft, resulting in pictures with pleasing colors.
Smart Organization
A 3-year-old's concentration span is no longer than one to two hours. To maximize this time, you must be focused and organized. If you prepare in advance, you can achieve beautiful photos easily and quickly.
The following steps will help you get organized for the shoot and create a lot of order:
Take a piece of paper and write a number from 1 to 10 on each line. Next to each number, write a "photo theme," for example, 1 - Torah scroll, 2 - *tzitzit*, etc. Some themes will be sacred, and some secular.
After writing the theme, note what clothes the child will wear. For the sacred theme, wear Shabbat clothes, and for the secular - stylish sportswear. Of course, some clothes will be repeated for several numbers. Shabbat clothes, for example, will suit all sacred photos.
Now add to each theme the appropriate accessories.
Example? Here you go: Theme - oranges, Clothing - striped shirt and braces pants, Accessories - hand juicer, halved oranges, tall glasses, and straws.
Group all sets of numbers where the clothing is identical (it's recommended not to change more than 3 sets of clothes).
Pack the camera (charged!) with the clothes and accessories, and don't forget to add a favorite treat for the child, but nothing messy (like chocolate...).
Off to the Field
Heading out for a photo day?
Make sure to "capture" each theme from 3-4 different angles and directions. Take several photos from each angle, so if the child closes their eyes in one photo, you have another good one.
Shoot consecutively through the list of themes where the clothes appear, so you don't waste valuable time on changes.
Utilize the child's concentration. Finished shooting one theme? Quickly move on to the next one.
Designing the Album
Designing the album is an exciting part where you'll enjoy seeing the beautiful results you've achieved yourself.
On each page of the album, include only photos related to that theme.
Spread the best photo prominently, and arrange the others interestingly on the side.
Good luck, and much joy from your *halake* child!
Mirith Hatav is the author of the book "Behind the Camera." For comments: SHAVETMOONA@GMAIL.COM
To purchase the book "Behind the Camera - Photography Course at Your Home" click here.
