If you want to take great photographs of your Children’s Birthday Party there are a few rules to follow so you can capture the essence of the day and not end up with a full memory card or roll of film that is out of focus and shot a second behind the action.

Photographing children, especially in a party environment can be especially challenging because children have lots of energy and a short attention span, this combination can be the kiss of death when it comes to taking pictures.

So, how do you capture great pictures of your Children’s Birthday Party?

Firstly, do not be distracted by the other things going on in the room.  Concentrate on what you can see in that little square.

Is the subject clearly visible?  Is the focus sharp or blurred?  If you are using a digital camera you can focus and zoom to get what you want in the digital image and then you can crop it later if it’s not quite right.

Don’t worry about getting your child in the middle of the picture.  The background and other people around your child help capture the mood of the party.  The main thing is that whatever you plan to photograph (the kids at the table, or your child blowing out the birthday candles) is clearly visible.

Try to keep things simple.  There is no need for a lot of patterns or colours to make a picture interesting, in fact try to avoid them because these are likely to take the focus off the subject.

Children at a Birthday Party are highly unlikely to sit still so don’t expect them to do so for a photograph.  Action shots are usually more interesting than static shots, anyway, so hold onto your camera and be ready for those spur of the moment opportunities.

Some of the best pictures of Children’s Parties are when your child is focused on an activity or a game.  They are less self-conscious about having their picture taken and you can usually capture the mood of the part very well when they are engrossed in something fun or interesting.

If you have a zoom lens on your camera, don’t be afraid to get a close-up shot!  You don’t always have to have the background setting for definition.  Sometimes, particularly with young children, just the expression is priceless!

It is usually difficult to take a lot of the same picture at a Children’s Birthday Party because, as mentioned earlier, they just don’t sit still for long enough.  It is better to try and take pictures in succession, capturing the action a few seconds (or a minute) apart.  That way you will get a choice of interesting shots and one will probably be the one you want to frame.  Digital cameras are great for this because you can take lots of pictures and then delete the ones you don’t want.

Taking pictures outside:

If your Children’s Birthday Party takes place in the summer you may want to take pictures outside but if you do you must avoid taking them in direct sunlight.  It makes your children squint, can cause glare, wash out colours and create shadows and ‘red eye’ effects where you don’t want them.

Try taking your pictures in what the photographers call ‘open shade’, so that you have the diffuse sunlight but your subject is not in deep shadow.  As an example, you might take the picture under the broad limbs of a tree.  You will have some cover from the sun, but you won’t need a flash.  If you are using a 35 MM camera in ‘open shade’, use ISO 400 film (or faster).

Taking pictures indoors:

Sometimes you do not have the advantage of having natural light for your photographs so if you have to shoot pictures indoors be sure to add enough ambient light to illuminate the room but not to cause glare.  If you are using a flash on your camera remember that the flash is only useful if you are within a few feet of the subject.  Otherwise, the light from the flash disperses to the point where it doesn’t light up much of anything and is a waste of time.

You must also be careful using a flash with young children (12-18 months) as some children will cry or become disoriented with lots of flashbulbs going off.

To finish, we will leave you with these simple tips to make your photographic experience more pleasurable for everyone concerned, and still ensure that you will get those crucial shots of your Children’s Birthday Party.

• Consider the time and place of the party and be prepared with plenty of the right film (and the right speed, if you are using a 35 MM) for the particular room, outdoor event or lighting scenario.  If you are using a digital camera, be sure you have plenty of memory cards so you don’t run out!
• Consider if you will need a flash or not.  Take some pictures with a flash and some without if you ensure you have some good shots.
• Tired children never make good photograph subjects so if possible try and make sure your child is well-rested before the party starts so you don’t get pictures of them crying at their party.
• A big tip is to take pictures at the same level as the kids – get down on your knees or sit in a chair.  Many people over look this and end up with pictures of the tops of their heads or upturned faces!
• Take lots of pictures and shoot fast.  Children move quickly, so if you only take a few pictures, you may find you have captured nothing but a blur on film.
• Wait for the shot you want if it is critical.  Don’t force your child to pose or remain in one position for a long time.  Wait for the right shot that reveals your child’s personality through casual or candid activity.
• Remember to take plenty of close-up shots with your zoom lens.  That way, you don’t intimidate or distract your child by getting right in their face, but you get that beautiful close-up you want.
• Consider props!  If your child just got a teddy bear for a present, or they have a birthday balloon, get a close-up shot of the child with it.  It will make a great framed picture and be an ever lasting memory of your Child’s Birthday Party!