When people tell you parenting is over in the blink of an eye they aren’t kidding. Before you know it that adorable baby and cute toddler will be slamming their bedroom door and arguing curfew.
Through all the ages and stages there’s one enduring fact that can never be argued…
You simply can’t take enough photographs of your kids!
Mum Central sat down with camera experts Olympus and we’ve compiled the list of the most important photos to take of your child right now! Join us in capturing these 11 special pictures ensuring that whilst little people grow, gorgeous family photos will tell their story forever!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”1. Quiet Learner: Crafting, Puzzles or Drawing”]
You know ‘that face’ your child does when they are really enthralled in what they are doing? The concentrating face? Forget the end result, the picture moment you really want to capture is your little person’s thoughtful determination. Sneak up on them quietly and save that moment forever mumma!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”2. Little Leaper: Jumping in the Swimming Pool”]
Whether they’re bold and daring or hesitant in 27 floatation devices the expression of a child of any age leaping into the water must be celebrated. Take the camera to the backyard, beach or your local swimming lessons and make sure you hit the button at just the right time!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”3. Winding Down: The Bedtime Story”]
There’s nothing more beautiful than freshly scrubbed little people in their jim-jams nestled sleepily into someone whilst reading a favourite bedtime story. If you’re the reader ask someone else to shoot it. This is an image best captured candidly so everyone’s eyes are on the book; don’t break the magic by asking everyone to smile!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”4. Wide Eyed: Sheer Delight”]
Nothing is cuter than the wide eyes of a child with a giant ice cream or huge fairy floss. Even better if you take the shot in front of the iconic Mr Whippy van for those real vintage vibes. That ‘absolute joy face’ is the moment you’re looking for! Seeing simple things appear magical through a child’s eyes is a precious and very fleeting moment – capture it quick!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”5. Cheeky Jumper: Bed Bugs”]
We don’t routinely encourage little people to jump on the bed but there’s something so playful and quintessentially ‘kid’ about a great shot of a child cheekily bouncing on the bed. A great wide shot also shows their bedroom and is long term reminder of their toys, interests and personal space long past their ‘Octonauts’ phase is done! Of course if they’re in a cot still mum and dad’s best will more than do!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”6. Mummy’s Baby”]
It doesn’t matter how old they are; they’re always going to be your baby. Make sure someone else takes a shot of you and your precious little person sharing a snuggle. If you don’t have someone to take it a selfie will always do or the new Olympus E-PL8 has a flip down, touch screen selfie mode for pictures and video. Try wrapped in a towel after bath time or cuddling in bed in the morning for something new!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”7. Toy Lover: What’s Their Must-Have Item Right Now?”]
You know how they can’t leave the house without the puppy / monkey / cat / Spiderman toy? Whatever is the favourite toy of the moment that’s what you want to remember right now. Great toy shots come in lots of shapes and sizes; the tight hug with a teddy is always a winner! We also love a tiny hand whizzing a car along the floor, great for perspective of when those fingers were ‘just so’.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”8. Crew Member: Siblings, Mates & Cousins”]
If you’ve got your own mini tribe, a raft of cousins or neighbours that regularly play great shots of the kids together not only celebrate the relationships now but show us who was taller, had the hilarious hair cut and xyz before their braces… Great group shots need not be formal, try the stairs if you want to get a lot of kids in easily and without too much mucking around. That said sometimes the best shots are truly a spontaneous moment. No matter what you prefer document the gang before they’re too cool to be photographed.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”9. Little Dreamer: Sleeping “]
We’re the first to admit that there’s nothing more lovable than a sleeping child. Whether they contort like a cot acrobat or look as serene as Botticelli angel you’ll not always remember these tiny details. A camera that’s great in low light like the Olympus E-PL8 is perfect to do this but remember you’ll likely only get one shot or repeated flash use will wake them – and nobody’s got time for that!
[mc_block_title custom_title=”10. Son & Heir: Talking About My Generation”]
If there are important older people in your child’s life you need to capture these precious bonds right now. Whatever your little person loves doing most with their granny or grandpa – that’s the moment to shoot! Whether its pushing the mower with pa or baking a cake with granny these are the perfect memories to treasure. Focus on a candid, photo-journalistic approach, the exchange of the glance or giggle is tells the greatest story.
[mc_block_title custom_title=”11. Baby Steps: Tiny Tootsies”]
Those little feet with chubby toes don’t stay adorable forever. They’ll be in stinky size 12 sneakers before you can blink an eye. A great foot shot is to shoot from the bottom of the couch making the kids feet the focal point. Otherwise little feet in the grass or sand is easy to do! Trying to get them to stand still? Well that’s a whole other story!
We hope you enjoy shooting through this list! We know they are photos you’ll love long after the moments are over. One thing is for sure, you never regret the photos you take – just the ones you didn’t! Happy clicking!
This post is sponsored by Olympus and the ultimate family camera, the Olympus E-PL8. It’s so much of a fashion statement as it is a great family camera.
Olympus is your partner in memory-making and picture-taking. If you’re thinking of a new camera be sure to check out the Olympus E-PL8, here’s why we love it!
It produces DSLR image quality (and is amazing in low light) plus features:
- Flip down touch selfie screen  (super cute for shooting yourself with the kids both in camera mode AND video mode)
- Links with your smartphone via Wi-Fi for image sharing straight up to social media plus you can actually shot remotely by using the app!
- There’s a range of art filters if you love to amp up your images
- Compatible with a range of interchangeable lenses (purchased separately)
- Comes in three cool leather style finishes for a cool retro meets tech look
- It’s totally portable being what we’d describe as ‘handbag size’.  As a mum this is super important because you want to capture those gorgeous images #allthetime right? But who wants to lug a tonne of gear around with them? Not us!
