Birthday Party Photo Tips
How many birthday party pictures have you seen that are kept just because they are of someone’s birthday, not because it is inherently a terrific photograph?
When was the last time you heard anyone exclaim: THIS IS REALLY A GREAT BIRTHDAY PHOTO? Can you say NEVER?
And yet, birthday parties are happening ALL THE TIME. You would think that “practice makes perfect,” wouldnt you; but in this case… uh-uh, it apparently doesnt.
So, here we are, with another important birthday party looming on the horizon and not knowing how to improve on past how hum photographs. NOT THIS TIME! Follow the following 11 tips and you will desire to start getting used to being asked to photograph OTHER PEOPLES birthday parties.
Cant-Miss Birthday Party Photo Tips
1) Prepare For the Party
Abraham Lincoln once remarked that if you are going to cut down a tree, spend 90% of your time sharpening the axe. Preparation makes any activity go better. And for birthday parties, you do not want to have to wait until next year to make up for lack of preparation, do you?
So, what should you prepare for?
KNOW THE LOCATION. Whether the party takes place in a home, party room, or amusement park; realize that each location has its own photographic “blueprint.” Based on the locations blueprint, prepare beforehand for the correct digital camera settings for white balance, metering mode, and exposure compensation.
2) Know The Obstacles
What is going to be in your way at the birthday party (excluding your drunken brother-in-law)? Are there any fixed columns, hanging plants or lights that desire to be planned around? For example, if there is a fixed object right where the optimal photos should be taken from, consider setting up the main table someplace else. Its much easier to figure this out before the event than getting to the party and realizing that you need to move the room a bit to the left.
3) The Main Table
If using rectangular tables, take the birthday party pictures FACING THE WIDE END OF THE RECTANGLE. When doing this, use the wide angle setting on your camera. If you shoot any birthday photos from the narrow end, use as massive an F-stop number as possible (optimally F-22 or higher). However, even if you do, some of the guests will possibly still be out of focus (hence, the “shoot from the wide end” suggestion).
4) Flash Decisions
Dont automatically assume you should use the cameras flash all the time. If the camera has a hot shoe (this and many other useful terms are defined here ). If it does, consider using a bounce flash or a diffuser.
As a real eye-opener, find out how high your ISO setting can go and see if the resulting photos are not too noisy (digital noise = film grain)
5) Better Safe than Sorry
Take multiple shots of the critical photographs. Consider flash/no flash; different metering modes, and different F-stops. Also, regardless of what you say or do, folks will blink. And, by the way, don’t count on spotting mini problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full magnification).
6) The Background
What does the background look like? If it’s neutral - use it. If it’s ugly, minimize your depth of field (smallest possible F-stop) to blur the background. If you do not write this one down, I can guarantee that you wont remember it for more than 10 seconds once you start taking photos.
7) The LCD Display
AVOID USING THE DISPLAY TO CHECK ANYTHING OTHER THAN IF YOU CUT OFF ANYONE’S HEAD. LCD displays should NOT be used to confirm contrast, color, exposure, or any other critical factors. This is why the computer is needed to evaluate test shots prior to the party. If you are very experienced, you can tell certain things from the histogram, but to be safe - take test shots and examine the results on a computer (or, ideally a printer) way before the actual date of the party.
8) Equipment
Have fully-charged batteries, memory cards, chargers, external flash, lens accessories, and tripod ready.
9) Construct a Birthday Party Pictures List
Jot down MUST HAVE pictures, as well as the ones you would like to capture, if possible. And, whats the good of putting together a list unless you remember to take it to the party AND TO REFER TO IT.
10) Candids
If you are putting together a list, may I suggest including Candids on it. Very often the best birthday party photos will be candids. Since most birthday photos are usually posed, candids take on a top uniqueness.
Candid birthday party photos of sleeping children should always be a top priority. Why? On a purely emotional note, they are always cute, will typically produce a smile for the viewer, and sometimes even get a laugh.
11) Surplus Time
If it’s your child’s birthday party, they will never look better than they do JUST BEFORE THE PARTY STARTS. If possible, locate a spot where natural light is entering a window and POSE them and the cake for some big smiling photos. (The younger the child, the less chance for smiles, so don’t go crazy.)
And, by the way, there will be plenty of opportunity later to take some birthday party pictures with cake and ice cream dribbling out of their mouth.
Article Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.
www.best-family-photography-tips.com
Your hints are helping me soooo much!!! I’m trying different shots everyday! Thanks so much!!
September 27, 2006 @ 8:15 pm
Thanks for your helpful hints, I am a very simple photographer……… with no major teachings at all. and you really help me in taking great at home. or occassions pictures..
Thanks
October 1, 2006 @ 6:53 am
great tips. wish i could buy your book….am in the Philippines…
October 11, 2006 @ 11:53 pm
your tips have realy caught me ,even if i had some ideas before,after i took yours advice i can see some diferences now…thank you very much
October 13, 2006 @ 12:43 am
Thanks for the tips. It would be helpful to have some examples of pictures taken with these tips.
Laurent
October 20, 2006 @ 7:51 pm
keep up the terrific tips…they really help, I’m collecting quite a file, thanks!
October 29, 2006 @ 2:26 pm
David, I retired in Sept. and told my Pastor that I wanted to take a photo course, well the next day guess what I found on my pc, 21 days of some of the best photo tips you could find. Well I just want to let you know that I am not retired anymore but that I am doing what I really want to do. David I just want to thank you, keep up the good work.
Elmo
Dec. 29,2006
December 30, 2006 @ 12:18 am
6) The Background
What does the background look like? If it’s neutral - use it. If it’s ugly, minimize your depth of field (smallest possible F-stop) to blur the background. If you do not write this one down, I can guarantee that you wont remember it for more than 10 seconds once you start taking photos.
???Biggest possible F-stop???
January 26, 2007 @ 11:59 pm
I’ve got this lesson just in time, because I’m going to shoot a birthday party on monday. Thank you a lot!
February 4, 2007 @ 5:25 am
thanks for the tip on shooting the child just before the party starts; and for reminding me but I do wish you would have suggested a “must have” for birthday party photo lists??? I would love a skeleton list to start with for a reference………thanks
February 21, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE EXCELLENT HELP YOU’VE GIVEN ME! I’M REMEMBERING TO SLOW DOWN & CHECK MY CAMERA BEFORE I SNAP. MY SON DESIGNS TEES (WEARABLE ART) & NEEDS TO CATALOGUE THEM SO I FEEL MORE CONFIDENT NOW, CHEERS
February 23, 2007 @ 10:36 am
Dave some of the most basic tips can be the most helpfull as we tend to overlook them at times, thanks for the tips.
February 24, 2007 @ 12:03 pm
Thank you so much!
I love to learn more and I can’t wait to try the tips for birthdays.
March 2, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Sorry to say in this part of world it is very rearly practiced and only I can imagine the situation, Thank you for sharing.
March 25, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Thanks for all these tips - I have learned a great deal already and I must say my photographs improved also.
March 26, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
Your tips are fantastic . Its the little tips that you give that have helped me to broaden my knowledge of this wonderful thing called photography. thank you again .
March 30, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Hey, thanks for the useful tips.. I prefer to have candid shot on this kind of event. The crowd will be naturally pose. The priceless moments can be freeze. I think, that is what photography is all about.
April 27, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Thanks for the tips, they came in the nick of time, very much appreciated.
May 24, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Thanks for the all great tips. Getting back into the fun again after about thirty years. You learn very quickly how much had been forgotten over that time and how gear has changed over time.
May 30, 2007 @ 7:02 am
thank you very very very much for the tip
May 30, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
whew…
thank you so much mr. david
June 21, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Thanks for all the tips, I have now made a short list of must do’s for each situation. My hobby is car racing action shots, and a few of your tips I have tried with great success.
August 3, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
A big thank you on all your helpful tips, they have indeed been of use.
August 19, 2007 @ 3:52 am
tnx for all the great photo tips! kudos!
September 1, 2007 @ 9:06 pm
Really helpful, which you can easily learn quickly.
Thanks…David
September 12, 2007 @ 9:20 am
sou do brasil e estou aprendendo bastante com as dicas, muito obrigado! (i’m from brazil and learning a lot out of the tips, tnks!)
October 8, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Thanks, I’m throughly enjoying all your tips. I’ve produced some really good photos which I couldn’t have done without your very informative hints and tips.
Keep them coming
October 14, 2007 @ 12:45 am
This is for Bjorn
Seems like no one tries to explain to you fully David’s statement “smallest possible f-stop??” This is in reference to setting the widest aperture opening possible (small f/number ) in regards to the DOF (depth of field) where the background is nearly blurred out or indistinguishable while the foreground is in clear focus. If the background is “neutral” or acceptable or not cluttered then use it (don’t blurred it out), but it is’nt then blur out the background.
I hope this explains what David meant.
November 25, 2007 @ 12:17 pm
I think a better and easier way to state it is to “use the widest possible aperture opening to blur out the background”.
November 30, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
I was asked to take my nephews wedding pictures in june 2008 any suggestions. the bride is not picky. I want to do a great job. Photography is a hobby but i love it. Recently bought a new digital canon rebel xti hope I am not disappointed. I read before the camera doesn’t take the pict the photographer has to direct it . Please send ideas thanks
December 9, 2007 @ 6:48 am
Thanks David, fine lesson to be remembered.
Maurice
December 14, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Thanks allot for the tips. I think there is always a line between professionalism and just amateur photography when shooting, and your tips on it can definitely tip the scales.
December 23, 2007 @ 6:06 am
thanks for the tips!!! EVERYONE has been commenting on the quality!!!! i wish i could get the camera i want though as well as you book!! but im in South Africa!!!!!!!
keep up the GREAT tips!
February 12, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
David! Thank you for all your great tips and most of all thanks for making them free. Usually you here the saying you get what you pay for.This isn’t one of those times..
February 23, 2008 @ 9:44 am
Thanks for the Tips and very graceful of you to make them free, my photography has improved 100% and I now take my camera every where I can.
April 11, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Iv become a good photographer in an INSTANT!! Davy….may your blessings tripple as more & more people read your articles.
Akapili pilii
May 16, 2008 @ 10:57 pm
your secrets seem to come to my email box just as i need them… kind of crazy!
May 31, 2008 @ 6:00 am
hi david,
thank you so much for all your tips,and its really helps me a lot to improve my photography hobby.keep sending…
thanks again..
jaime
July 14, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
Tips would come in handy at birthday parties. Waiting to put into action such useful tips. Thanks to you.
August 3, 2008 @ 1:00 am
Tips would come in handy. Waiting to put into action such useful tips.
Thanks to you, David.
August 3, 2008 @ 1:02 am
david thank you for the tips on party’s wish i had them sooner as it was my mums 90th birthday party last week and some of my shots were a disaster we had irish@scottish dancer’s that were blured with and without flash. and grainy people pictures.i will keep practicing,useing your tips thank you.
August 19, 2008 @ 12:53 am