khm105 Loc: Louisiana

I'm new to taking pictures, but I did get what I considered some good pictures on our vacation. At hubby's insistence I put together a book on Shutterfly. When it arrived I was surprised at how well the pictures look. I'm sure you guys could have done better. Anyway I've decided to get a bunch of pictures of my granddaughter and hope to get some good enough to put together a book with her help. It will be her Christmas present to her dad. Can anyone share some tips. I'd like to get some candid shots and some posed ones too. My granddaughter is 9 yrs. old.

Thanks for any help you can give.
Kathy

amehta Loc: Boston

I think the keys are your connection with your granddaughter and the lighting. If at all possible, avoid the on-camera flash, because it will be a fairly harsh light. Also avoid harsh sunlight, ideally shooting around sunset. Have fun with your granddaughter during the shoot, and the energy will show in the pictures.

MrT Loc: Gilbert, AZ

I like to use my 70-300 VR lens and shoot them while they are playing and not paying attention to me and the camera. Their interactions with other kids or just playing by themselves I have a shot of my youngest on a plastic slide with his hair on end from the static electricity. That is my all time favorite as it is his personality. Get shots of her at dance class, doing homework, anytime she is not hamming it up for the camera, come to think of it some of those are pretty good too. The key is that the photos show her personality. Good luck and as Amehta said HAVE FUN, both you and your granddaughter, because if its not, that will clearly show through in the photos.

hightek Loc: west virginia

I like to get lower so I am not looking downward on children. I agree it is best to let them do their own thing and capture the moment. My granddaughter thinks my camera is part of me,I like capturing her playing with her friends and their imagination has them distracted. I have photos of her with her pets and favorite toys.My granddaughter is 3 so she is a moving target always being a busy butt. I guess being your's is nine she will work with you on getting poses you want. Good luck capture some great memories.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Ensure you focus on your granddaughters eyes, everything else will fall into place for natural poses.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, eye contact!

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

Second all of these - and ask her "What is your favorite pic of you and Dad - and what is your favorite thing to do with Dad.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

Never take a picture until everything is perfect. Be sure the lighting is correct, and that your camera settings are optimized for proper skin tone and reflective highlights. .... JUST KIDDING ...

FORGET THE RULES! Just make them up as you have fun shooting. Be silly! Be creative! Be ridiculous! Be crazy! Whatever you guys come up with will be treasured by the grandchild's father. When your granddaughter gets older there will be time for more formal photo sessions.

Jcmarino

To me, candid shots capturing their personality at that age is fun to shoot, and remember what they were really like at that age. Especially when looking at the book later in life. Portraits will tend to look just like school photos. We all have those. Capture something special to her and her dad. Shoot shoot shoot. The more you have the me more you have to choose from. Remember she does not always have to be looking at the camera when you shoot. Have fun, the more fun, the better the photos will be.

drmarty Loc: Pine City, NY

I have seven grandchildren and gave up trying to pose them years ago! I get better images by interacting with them and having fun!

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

My goodness. If it hadn't been for my grandchildren, I'd not had much to shoot over the last few years.

I never "plan" anything when I shoot them. I let them do what they do and they provide the most amazing opportunities to fire the shutter. The oldest (now nearly 6 years old) has grown so accustomed to seeing me with the camera, she doesn't pay attention to it, unless I ask her for a big smile, then she will accommodate.

Just have fun. Your love for them will show through in the images.

MarkD Loc: NYC

I don't know what camera and lens you have so I'll give you some general suggestions that I use. For candids, if you have a telephoto lens stay back and use it. Shoot at her level. Try not to shoot down at her. The more you shoot the more she'll get used to you taking her picture, and after a while she'll start to ignore you (hopefully). Flash on camera is not the best lighting, but it's easy, and if you don't have a fast lens, it may be your only option.

For posed shots let her choose some poses before you shoot the ones you have planned. Use props like a stuffed animal. If she has a pet, take some with the pet. Take the posed shots when she's not tired, hungry, or moody. Be prepared before you start shooting. Most children have short attention spans. Keep the mood light. Don't be a drill sergeant.

khm105 Loc: Louisiana

Thank you all for your advice. She does have a new puppy so maybe I need to find out where the dog park is. My son, her dad, has a big chocolate lab so I'll have to bring him, too. We have several parks not far from their house and thought we could go there. I plan to tell her what and why I want to take so many pictures. Next week I'll be with her after school and Friday there is no school so I'll be with her all day. Too bad I won't have her this Friday as there is no school and the Fair will be going on. If she was going to be with her dad this week there wouldn't be a problem, but she is with her mother this week. A couple of years ago her dad rented a pony for her birthday party. She didn't know anything about it and she loves horses. I knew the man was walking the pony to the back yard so I positioned myself to get a picture of her when she saw the pony. All I got was a blurry picture. She took off running so fast. Everything was in focus except her. That was with my little point and shoot, but now I have a Canon Rebel T5i hopefully I'll be able to do better. Thanks again.

Kathy

alycrom Loc: Aberdeen Scotland

i love to make photo books and as a new gran i am always snapping away at my granddaughter. I find for the books try to get everyday activities in there. The things we do with our kids which we take for granted, having lunch, walking to school, homework, etc, the things that we miss so much when they have grown. put them in the book and your granddaughter will enjoy remembering her life with her dad as much as her dad will love the book. also dont crop everything out of the photo.

keep in the furniture in the background, the cups and plates of the table, the chocolate bar wrapper the television the car, the carpet all of these simple things that we see everyday but i 20 years time will evoke cries of.... OOOh do you remember that ornament? or car or whatever.

Dont just make it all about how your granddaughter looks, make it all about her life as it is right now and enjoy!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Absolutely. also, as above shoot from her level. Shooting down or up can distort features. The words Get Closer apply either physically or with zoom.