With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we must talk about how to capture the love affair between kids and loveys. Below is a new, fun Photo Recipe on how to capture this adorable bond!
What’s a lovey?
A lovey is that special, well-loved object your child can’t live without. Some loveys will come and go as they get older, and some loveys will never grow old.
Whether your baby’s lovey is currently your TV’s remote control (see that hilarious photo recipe in my book, Your Baby in Pictures) or a family of stuffed squirrels (you can’t make this stuff up), you MUST capture kids and loveys.
BACK STORY TO THE SQUIRRELS
You may be asking ‘What’s the story with the family of squirrels?’ After all, many kids find teddy bears to be their loveys. But squirrels can work too, yes?
I would always see these two squirrels playing in our backyard, running up and down our large evergreen tree. One day I made a comment to Brian about it. I told him how amazed I was by all the energy those two squirrels had. They never stopped playing! He paused and looked at me a little funny. He said “You know that those aren’t probably the same two squirrels you see every time. For all we know, there could be a dozen squirrels in the yard. But they all look the same.” I don’t know how else to explain my reaction other than I felt like someone had CRUSHED my imagination! More than two squirrels?! What?!
Well, I redeemed the situation the only way I know how. Storytelling. The kids were still sharing the same room in bunk beds, so every night I would tell them a story about the two adventurous squirrels named Flopsy and Mopsy who lived in our backyard. Flopsy was the more mature squirrel that was always having to bail Mopsy out of trouble. Their adventures started with our backyard as the setting, but as we traveled, Flopsy and Mopsy traveled too. Whenever we’d see two squirrels run up the evergreen tree, we’d stop homeschool and cheer Flopsy and Mospy on.
A year ago, I spotted these stuffed squirrels in the window of a teddy bear shop. I realized I had been telling the kids Flopsy and Mospy stories for years. I had to get the squirrels for Blaze because he loves stuffed animals like nobody’s business. Ever since then they have become his loveys through and through. He calls them “his family of squirrels”. How can I NOT capture it?!
Here is how to capture the love affair between kids and lovey, the Photo Recipe for Kids and Loveys! Plus, our CONFIDENCE Teachers shared their favorite lovey photos and photo tips on Babble! Check it out and you’ll be inspired! (Wait till you see Pascaline’s lovey, super sweet for a twelve year old.)
PHOTO RECIPE: LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN KIDS AND LOVEYS
WHEN: Early afternoon, when kids are rested and still feeling full from breakfast, and in the mood to snuggle with lovyes.
PREP: Have your children gather their favorite lovey. Be prepared for them to bring a whole bunch, but this will make it more like a fun activity that you get to together. Enjoy!
FOR P&S USERS: Turn off your camera flash, and set your camera to Portrait mode. This will help you capture the beautiful window light and natural colors. Portrait mode will either be the capital P on your camera or the little head icon. This mode will tell the camera to soften the background but keep your subject in focus.
FOR DSLR USERS: Turn off your flash (that thing is always evil!). Set your camera to Aperture Priority mode, and set your aperture to f/2.8 for the most blur in your background (and most light). If your photos are still coming out to dark, try bumping up your ISO. My DSLR settings for this photo were f/2.8, shutter speed 1/80th of a second, and ISO 800. I shot this with the SONY NEX-6 and 50mm lens.
COMPOSE: How you compose this photo depends on two things; what your child’s lovey is and what emotion are wanting to evoke. Pascaline’s lovey portrait had to be a horizontal composition. It will make total sense when you see what it is on the Babble post. But this portrait of family squirrels with Blaze seemed to be tight and intimate if I framed it vertically. Have fun playing around!
CAPTURE: I love the idea of not focusing on the child’s eyes for this photo but focusing on the Lovey(s) instead. Focus on
Okay, now I am SERIOUS! I want to see your lovey photos!! Lovie photos are one of my favorite things to photograph. Every child has their own lovey, and I would LOVE to see yours! So don’t be shy and share them with us on my FB page!
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! May you all feel loved and cherished!
xo,
m
See 8 Ways to Capture Kids and Loveys this Valentine’s Day on Babble!
And 14 Photo Tips for Capturing YOUR Love this Valentine’s Day on Babble!
The post How to Capture the Love Affair Between Kids and Loveys! appeared first on Me Ra Koh Photography Blog.