focal length: 50 mm
shutter speed: 1/200
aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 500
flash: none

For this image, I had to do a little cropping and straightening but that’s about all the post processing I did. Had I framed this photo better in the first place, I would have saved some time and avoided the trouble of “fixing” the image. I was in a bit of a hurry to take the shot as my child rarely pauses long enough for me to take a “perfect” picture.

Sophie was taking a little breather from her splashing around in the tub!

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.

focal length: 50 mm
shutter speed: 1/50
aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 500
flash: none

Today I’ll share my thought processes before setting up this shot.  Before I even pressed the shutter release button, I already envisioned what my image would look like and positioned myself accordingly.  I wanted my subject on the right third of the photo.  I also preferred to keep the top of her head within the frame, so I had to crouch down to be at Sophie’s eye level.  I kept the balloons in the frame to set the scene so viewers can tell that the shot was taken at a party.  There was another element that went into preparing for this photo hours before it was taken!  I removed the padding for the high chair so my photos that night would be less cluttered.  The padding has a colourful and busy texture that would have detracted from the image.  A lot goes through my mind when I set up a shot and it all has to happen within seconds in order to make lasting images.

Sophie was tired of eating the regular food.  “Where’s my cake?”

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.

focal length: 50 mm
shutter speed: 1/80
aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 1600
flash: none

Having a camera on hand can help you capture images of everyday life. Photographing children means you should always be well prepared to catch those moments when they do their silly things that just melt your heart. Be sure to have space on your memory card and keep your battery charged.

I caught Sophie going through a friend’s wallet and the look on her face is of innocence, as if she was saying “I didn’t know what I was doing! I am innocent!”

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.

The Rule of Thirds is a basic principle used in photography as well as in other visual arts. It is a simple concept and although there may be exceptions, adhering to this compositional guideline will improve your photos easily and instantly.

Imagine your frame is separated into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, as in the figure below.

The 2 horizontal lines can act as guides for horizons and the two 2 vertical lines can be used for other subjects. The points at which the vertical lines meet the horizontal lines may also act as your points of focus.

If you place your subject along the lines of the thirds or at the cross hairs, you will end up with a compositionally better image.

Which of these images are more pleasing to your eye?

Example 1:

Example 2:

As you can see, Example 1 does not adhere to the Rule of Thirds as the subject is at the centre of the image:

Example 2 follows the lines more closely, which results in a photo that feels more balanced:

The next time you frame your subject, try implementing the Rule of Thirds in your shots instead of framing your subject dead centre. You may be surprised at how much your photography has improved.

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.

focal length: 50 mm
shutter speed: 1/125
aperture: f/1.8
ISO: 200
flash: none

Here is an example of using a shallow depth of field to draw attention to one particular part of the photo, my daughter’s feet. I like this photo because of the colours, the positioning of her feet (something she likes to do) and her outstretched arms. I shot this on our bed that’s near a south-facing window using only natural light. Because I had enough light coming in, I was able to use a low ISO for less noise.

This photo was taken last summer when Sophie was not yet 4 months old. Ah, how I miss those quiet days when lifting her feet in the air was as active as she would get!

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.