Freeze the Fun: Birthday Photos That Pop

Birthday parties are lots of fun, but they can also be chaotic. Plan ahead with these simple tips to capture beautiful photos of your child’s birthday party for a collection of memories you’ll love looking back on.

Be sure your equipment is ready.

Whether you are using a phone or a camera, be sure the battery is full and the lens is clean. For smartphones, turn on “live photo” or “motion/photo burst” in order to go back and grab the best moment later.

Light and angles matter.

If you can, host the party in the brightest room. In spaces with windows, position kids facing windows, not with the windows behind them. In darker party rooms, avoid overhead lights and flash together; if that’s unavoidable, step back a bit to make the shadows the flash will create softer. Kneel or sit so the camera is at eye level with the kids instead of pointing down from adult height.

Pick a photo helper.

Don’t try to take all of the photos yourself. Ask a friend or family member to help you take photos during the party. Be sure you mention to them any specific shots you want, such as birthday kid with grandparents or birthday kid with the cake. This way, you’ll get the memories you want while enjoying the party.

Be ready for the big moments.

Parties move quickly, so anticipate photos you know you want to capture like candle blowing (definitely use a burst!), opening presents, “Happy Birthday” singing or any surprise for the birthday child. Knowing when these events are happening and having your camera or phone ready to go is key for photo success.

Capture candids, not just poses.

Sometimes the sweetest moments happen between poses. Get action shots of your child interacting with friends and family, the kid in the corner pouting or the adults admiring the little ones. Looking back at the genuine reactions is often more fulfilling than seeing a perfectly posed group photo.

-Tali Benjamin