Win a complimentary family photography session by participating in our SchlickArt Spring Minis At Home Giveaway – PLUS learn tips to capture great photos at home.
Normally, right about now our social media feeds would be lighting up with adorable, joy-inducing portraits of kids dressed in their Sunday best as they play peek-a-boo around the trees at Placerita Canyon. Our natural spaces would be filled with the sounds of siblings laughing and shutters clicking. And families would be choosing which shots they’d send to grandma and grandpa, or perhaps hang on the dining room wall.
Yep – it’s Spring Mini Session season.
And it’s one of our favorite seasons here at SchlickArt, because Sonja is never more in her element than when she’s capturing kiddos’ smiles in the Placerita Canyon sunlight. In fact, it’s such a wonderful time for photography that we didn’t want anyone to miss out on that kind of magic, even while we’re staying Safer at Home.
That’s why SchlickArt Family Photographer Sonja Gilhuys hosted a live at-home video tutorial teaching parents how to shoot easy – yet totally adorable – spring photos of their kids while staying Safer at Home.
“Even if you’re brand new to a camera or just using a smartphone, you can absolutely take some great shots of your kids from the safety of your home,” Sonja explained. “Really, it’s about creating mini moments of fun and encouraging little expressions of love – and letting the camera do the rest of the work.”
With just a few easy tips from Sonja, and a lot of family love, we invite you to join us for #SchlickArtMinisAtHome. Did we mention there’s a giveaway?
SchlickArt Spring Minis At Home GIVEAWAY
We want to see your #SchlickArtMinisAtHome! And we’re hosting a special GIVEAWAY for the families that share their Spring Minis At Home with us!
How Does It Work?
Post a photo from your own at-home Spring Mini Session – and include #SchlickArtMinisAtHome – for a chance to win a complimentary SchickArt Family Session by Sonja, once the Safer at Home mandate has been lifted. You’ll receive a complimentary Session Fee and family shoot with Sonja. We’re choosing TWO WINNERS during a live Facebook drawing on May 1!
Watch Sonja’s live video here.
How Do I Participate?
To participate in the SchlickArt Spring Minis At Home Giveaway, complete these three easy steps:
- Like the SchlickArt Facebook page.
- Post a photo from your at-home Spring Mini Session by May 1.
- Include #SchlickArtMinisAtHome in your post to qualify.
Follow along with Sonja’s live session/tutorial session here.
Family Photography Tips: How To Shoot Adorable Spring Minis At Home
Before you head off to shoot your SchlickArt At-home Spring Mini, we’ve got a few tips to share! You can follow along with Sonja by watching her live SchlickArt At-home Spring Mini on Facebook, or you can check out the tips below.
Set Up Your Background
When it comes to choosing where to set up your shot, soft natural lighting and neutral, solid colors are key.
- Start by scoping out the best windows with natural light in your house, and be sure to note what time those areas are brightest. The goal is to have your kids face the light (or window) without having harsh, direct sunlight on their faces, which can cause squinting and shadows. In short, look for bright rooms without harsh shadows.
- Find a solid, neutral wall. You may need to move some furniture or rearrange your decor to make the best-lit wall work for your shot.
- Once you have a bright and beautiful blank slate, choose a color palette and layer in the props: chairs, cute boxes, plush blankets, Easter or seasonal decor, flowers, potted plants, and more. A little goes a long way – you want your kids to be the focal point of the photo.
- If the lighting is good, you can also pose your kiddos on a big bed with neutral colored bedding, a beautiful couch or even a nice cushion. The options are endless!
- If you don’t have a well-lit, neutral wall in your house that you like, don’t be afraid to take your kiddos to the backyard and let your beautiful plants and landscaping do the trick.
Get The Shot
Now it’s time to talk details. Here are a few tips to turn you into an at-home photographer.
- If you’re using your smartphone, turn your flash off and opt for natural light. If you have a camera but aren’t well-versed in the Manual settings, make it easy for yourself and shoot on Auto.
- Generally, you always want the camera to be at eye level with your subject. So getting down on the ground or squatting really helps you find the perfect angle.
- On a smartphone, using zoom will distort the image, preventing you from blowing it up into a larger image later. Instead, to get a better quality photo, move your body back and forth to tighten or widen the frame.
- Posing is all about giving the subject very small, simple cues – on at a time – until each cue builds into a pose. Start from the feet and work your way up, positioning the legs, hips, shoulders, arms and chin into place. Start by asking them to take a big step away from the wall or sit up tall.
- When posing instruction fails, don’t worry! Kids will be kids, so it’s best to go with their flow. Just ask them to get really close and love on each other. Eventually you’ll capture something great!
Add Some SchlickArt Fun!
The real magic of any shoot comes in those perfect “in-between” moments when everyone is having a great time and emotion is creating the perfect shot.
“As parents, we always strive for that picture-perfect portrait we can hang over the fireplace, where our kids have the cutest smiles and are perfectly posed,” Sonja said. “But let’s face it, kids don’t usually want to take their pictures like that, and sometimes, it feels like a battle.”
There is an alternative, however. Instead, create fun and loving moments that make the photo easy to capture. Make it fun. Let them jump, play and hug one another. You’ll love the results.
- Don’t be afraid to let the kids run the show a little bit. Sometimes it’s best to ask them what they want to do because you want them to feel comfortable enough to be themselves. They might even give you something cuter than what you planned!
- To create genuine smiles, crack jokes! Say funny words like “poopyhead” or “farts.” It’ll make you laugh, too!
- Sometimes you have to encourage moments of silliness to reset between shots and get those natural moments of love and expression. Here are a few things to try: ask them to jump in the air, blow bubbles, tickle each other, do a secret handshake or just dance!
- Be flexible and willing to try different things. Maybe a dance party gets them too silly but the laughs following a monster face are just right.
- When it comes to camera shyness, be patient. They come around eventually, especially if you try a more candid approach to your shoot.
- If worst comes to worst, bribery always works, Mama. 😉
Good luck everyone, we can’t wait to see your photos!
About Sonja Gilhuys, Your Santa Clarita Family Photographer
With her two young boys as her muse, Sonja Gilhuys first picked up a camera because she didn’t want to miss a single moment of their childhoods. Everything changed after that, and Sonja quickly began photographing family and friends on a referral basis. In 2019, she joined the SchlickArt Photography & Video team as a Junior Photographer and Studio Assistant, and today, Sonja heads up our indoor/outdoor family line, SchlickArt Family Sessions by Sonja, which captures your family’s most precious moments with a candid yet polished style that looks as luxurious as the shoot feels.
About Our Santa Clarita Family Photography
Our SchlickArt Family Sessions by Sonja are the perfect way to capture your family’s legacy while still enjoying the magic of a luxury SchlickArt photo shoot. We really take care of Mom in this special pampering session, giving her the full treatment with red-carpet hair and makeup services and custom posing instruction. By making sure the entire family is having fun, we help Mom relax and have a great time, too. We take care of everything, so you can walk away with a set of gorgeous family photos that you’ll cherish for generations to come.
About SchlickArt Photography and Video
SchlickArt, a boutique photo and video studio in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of beauty and authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy — rather than a product, service or person — SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt.