Moms and Dads - you'll love my childrens photography tips. Scroll down to Tip #5 for my "best kept secret"

The Childrens photography tips offer creative suggestions on posing and composition for beginners. For more advanced information on SLR camera techniques please visit our Creative Control of you SLR Camera Course For more information specifically on children's outdoor portraits and how to achieve excellent results click here

Tip #1

If you are tired of school pictures (and who isn't?), photograph your child outdoors. Do you have a lake nearby? Lakes or ponds make really neat backdrops. Place your child off-center for an artsy and fun look.

Tired of trying to get your kids to pose? Take them to one of their favorite places and let them play. You'll capture storybook images. Convert the image to black and white or sepia to enhance the timelessness of the image.

Don't wait for you child to say cheese if you are looking for a genuine smile. Wait for the right moment and seize it! This one is a keeper. Watch the light so the child does not squint.This is why you always have to have your camera with you.

If you have kids in sports, this tip is especially for you. Would you like to save most of your pictures instead of putting them in the trash because they are blurry? You must have a fast shutter speed to stop action. With photos like this you could get the next job as the sports photographer.

Okay I admit I am a photo nerd. Every year I photographed my daughter on her birthday (ages 3-16) with the same shirt, standing by the same door. I placed a height label of 5'8" (my height) to gauge her growth year to year. I did the same thing for my son. I have gotten more raves on this than anything else I have ever done. If you have young children it is never too late to get started.