Blurry newborns, red-eyed toddlers, under-lit children. Are these descriptions of the photos you  take of your children? If so, you are not alone. As parents, we take countless pictures of our children. Unfortunately, these descriptions are on target for most parents. Children can be the most challenging subjects for photographers, especially for armatures. This is especially frustrating for parents, as these are the pictures that they want to turn out perfect more than any other photos they take.

Fortunately, for these parents there are some easy tips to follow, which can alleviate some of the difficulties common to taking children's photographs.

When Opportunity Knocks

Being able to take advantage of an opportunity is probably the best way to capture the right moment on film. Children constantly give parents reason to want to click the shutter button. However, if there is no camera available, the shot is lost forever. The best tip is to have a camera ready when the child presents the perfect opportunity.

Another tip is to take many pictures. Taking several photos of a single event or time will help to ensure catcgubg the perfect photo. Try to resist the urge to take only a couple of shots and hoping for the best. be able to capture the perfect moment on film with only one or two shots. By taking many photos, you will help to ensure that the perfect moment will not be missed.

Children, especially young children, are seldom willing to stop during play to pose for a picture or to perform a replay because you missed the shot that you were looking for. Taking a number of photos while they are in action will help to avoid having to mess with staging them.

Using Technology

Thankfully, today's parents have technology on their side. In the past, taking many photos could get expensive and parents had learned to deal with bad photos and living with the “ones that got away“. Digital cameras are an ideal way for amateur photographers to get good pictures of their kids. These cameras make it possible to click many photos without having to worry about the expense of developing all of them.

Digital cameras also make it possible to fix flawed photos. Today’s technology makes it easy to fix red-eye or make changes in the color contrast if needed. With help from a computer, either at home or at a store kiosk, it is even possible to take elements that you do not want included right out of the picture. For example, if the child has a small stain on a piece of clothing, it is possible to make the stain disappear in the photo. The same techniques can be used if the background is not what is desired, but the picture of the subject is perfect. The child can actually be removed from one background and placed in another for a better picture.

When taking photos with a digital camera it is a good idea to take the photos in the highest resolution level available to you. This will allow you the freedom to choose which pictures deserve the memory space on the camera. There may be some pictures that did not turn out quite right, but are still something that you do not want to delete. These particular photographs can be saved in a lower resolution, therefore taking up less space on the camera.

Planning

Planning is another key to taking perfect pictures of children. Planning to have a photo session after the child has eaten and is well rested is a great way to help ensure a wonderful picture. It is also a good idea to have non-messy snacks available for the child to munch on while taking pictures. Incorporating some favorite toys into the session is also a way to keep them interested and cooperative.

Lighting is an important part of any good picture. If the pictures are taken outdoors, the best time to do so is in the morning or afternoon. Taking photographs before the sun gets too high eliminates many shadows that the sun can produce. The light also tends to be less bright and therefore less intrusive on the printed picture. As an added bonus, taking the photos towards the end of the day will cast a warm glow instead of a light bulb effect upon the subject.

When taking the photos indoors, care should be taken that the light source does not over power the subject. A good place for the lights is off to the side and off the ground. For example, a lamp on a table while the child is on the floor will produce much the same effect as outdoor lighting.

Portraits

When taking portraits of children, get in close. Young kids have such expressive faces, engaging smiles and laughing eyes are important to capture. Do not be afraid to get up close and personal with children and babies. Again, technology comes to the rescue on this one too. Using zoom feature on your camera, digital or film, will allow you to focus up close on the face without being overly invasive to the child being photographed.

Portrait photos do not need to be posed. In fact, some of the best ways to get a perfect portrait is to shoot the photo when the child is deep in play, reading, watching TV or even sleeping. These are the few moments when children are still and it is easy to sneak up on them and click the shutter button.

Candid Shots

Candid shots of kids can be so much fun, both to take and to look at. Children at play, walking, crying, swimming, eating all of these situations can be a perfect opportunity for wonderful photos. Try to snap shots of the children when they are not looking, or even when they are walking away. These photos will be treasured for years to come.

With a little planning and know how, taking great photos of your children can be easier than ever. Pictures taken by you will capture your child’s personality and inner light better and less expensively than any professional photographer will. So start clicking the shutter button and getting those one in a lifetime photos.