Top Tips on Taking Photos of Children and Animals #AD

I take a lot of photos. I feel like my job as our family’s official photographer is harder than most because of the three children, there are often animals on the shots too. I used to think it was hard getting two children to look at the camera but three is on another level.

I thought I would let you in on a few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way as well as some professional advice from Panasonic who has who has unveiled a range of next generation Professional Mirrorless Cameras with up to 30k optical zoom, 4K photo and video all in a sleek compact design. Perfect for travel, blogging, and making memories.

While I am no professional photographer, I have taken a few crackers and one of my favourite things to do is look back at photographs-especially of my children.

Here are my top tips.

1. Lower your expectations. Getting more than one child to look at a camera at the same time when they are little is almost impossible. I am over the staged look of cheesy smiles looking at the lens. I prefer them to look natural and it captures their spirits more.

2. Leave your phone in your pocket. While I admit I have some fabulous photos taken on my phone, if you are going on a day out or know there is going to be some beautiful scenery, take your proper camera with you. The size of cameras has really shrunk and they have all the features their older, larger cousins had but are compact enough to slip into your changing bag or handbag.

3. If you’re looking for a new camera, go for a mirrorless camera like the Professional Mirrorless Camera from Panasonic. As the name suggests, a mirrorless camera is one that doesn’t have a reflex mirror, which is one of the main features of a DSLR camera. The removal of the mirror means a really professional camera is the fraction of the size of a DSLR due to the lack of the massive mirror box which is a key component of the larger camera.

4. If you really want a shot of everyone looking, you need to ask someone to help you. Whether you are with a friend or employ the services of a passing stranger, get them to stand behind you and, on the count of three, get them to make massive arm movements-preferably with some silly noises and the children will definitely look.

5. Enrolling the help of a pet or in our case, any other animal is good because the children will usually all focus on the pet so you will get some lovely natural shots. It never works out as I had it in my head but do you know what? That’s ok. They are still memories captured in a picture which I am sure they will all love to see when they are older-especially the ones of them crying at the animal.

What is the best photo you have taken?

*This post is in collaboration with Panasonic but all opinions are my own.