7 min read Ten expert tips for capturing amazing birthday party photos

Birthday party photography can be quite challenging whether you are doing it for a family event or for your clients. You need to be very quick on your feet so that you do not miss any photographable moments and you definitely need to be on top of your game with your camera settings. If you are a beginner, all of this can feel very overwhelming and daunting.

Let’s peek at 10 fun tips for birthday party photography that you can get started on today!

• Details Matter to Get a Feel of the Atmosphere:

When you are photographing an event of any kind, you’re trying to capture the story of that event. One of the best ways to do this is to think in terms of different scales. This means getting more details, people, and wider shots of groups in your photos. For birthday party photography, this can be photos including the cake, stacks of presents, or decorative theme of the party.

• Candid Shots Build a Better Narrative:

Posed shots serve as great pictures for albums, but candid shots of people are the ones that hold more of a narrative. Kids playing and laughing in a carefree manner, adults glowing over the pretty birthday cake, and the host welcoming guests when they arrive are a few examples. Be stealthy with your camera and look for those candid moments you can easily capture. You’ll need to be quick on your feet to snap photos quickly as these moments are fleeting.

• Capturing the Customary Must-Have Moments:

Speaking of traditional shots, ensure you don’t miss the big ones! You’ll need to chat with the host about the order of events right when you arrive or before the party. This will ensure that you know which moments are special. Special moments may include blowing out the candles, giving and opening gifts, and the surprise on the faces of the kids.

• Using Flash in Darker Settings:

Natural light must be utilized as much as possible, but sometimes using the flash becomes necessary. Flash is very useful when people stand in front of lights if the home does get enough natural light, or if the party is held during the night time.

When using the flash, you’ll need to be sure to diffuse as much light as possible in order to avoid harsh shadows or bright spots. You can do so by adding a diffuser onto the flash itself, or by bouncing it off the wall behind you or the ceiling. You’ll also need to make sure that the flash is adjusted in such a way that it only flashes as strongly as it is needed.

• Altering Different Perspectives to Make Your Images Interesting:

Altering the perspective of an image is a great way to make it more interesting and get the viewer intrigued! For small kids, you should definitely consider lowering the camera a bit so that you are at their eye level. If you’re taking a shot of food set on a table or a pile of gifts, you might want to consider taking a shot from above to change the perspective.

• Taking Group Photos:

You should talk with the hosts beforehand to ask about any particular requests for group photos. Some people may want to photograph the grandparents with all the grandkids or the birthday boy with his best buddy. Knowing all this ahead of time lets you plan and take a few moments to prepare for these important shots.

Choose a time for taking group shots after guests arrive, but before blowing out the candles as it becomes difficult to gather people after that. This will help you ensure that all the people you need for the group photos are available and ready. It will also give them a chance to chat around and get comfortable.

• Taking More Photos Than You Need:

Don’t be afraid to take a lot of photos. When photographing kids, movements are quick and unpredictable. Shooting lots of photos can help you ensure that there are a few good shots in there for each moment that is being captured. This comes in handy especially if you are a beginner. You never know when someone blinks or looks away, ruining an otherwise perfect shot.

• Photograph the Guests Too:

Focusing just on the birthday kid or the family is one of the pitfalls of birthday party photography. It is very important to photograph the guests, as they are a part of the story of the party. Be vigilant to snap good shots of other family members, especially the elderly ones. While the family will most likely treasure the photos of family members more, all guests are important.

• Use Close-Ups to Capture Unique Expressions:

While photographing groups of people is fun, getting close shots can make the viewer of the photographs feel like they are right there with the subjects. Kids create a great and wonderful variety of expressions during moments like blowing out the candles, cutting the cake, opening presents and playing party games.

Capturing these expressions up close can create beautiful photos that people cherish and love! Also, using the zoom feature of the camera can capture guests chatting and show them connecting at the event.

• Posing Subjects for Better Chemistry at Key Moments:

Sometimes, people group in ways that aren’t ideally photogenic. It is your job to make sure that they pose perfectly as a group from your vantage point so that the photos look better. Most people readily comply with the photographer’s professional request, and the hosts will be delighted when they see how great photos turn out!

The key moments to consider in this regard are when the birthday boy or girl is blowing out the candle or when they are opening their gifts. You’ll need to make sure that you are positioned with a clear line of sight to your subjects and should also consider gathering some friends around them to make the photograph more lively and cheerful.