UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL

It is the time of year to nail the kids to the sofa and get the shot. The holiday photo shot. The one where usually one kid has their eyes closed, the other is screaming- and you were lucky if you got them to wear the outfits you so painstakingly chose and laid out with all of the hope in the world.

Well this year it doesn't have to be that way, and as a reader of the Daily Stroll you will hear first hand from a professional photographer just how to capture the moments that you want to all year around.

UPCLOSE AND PERSONAL

New York/Los Angeles based photographer Timothi Jane Graham knows what a daunting task it can be to capture those magic kiddie moments.Just when you think your bundle of joy is ready for his or her close up there's always the occasional temper tantrum, a missing Dora the Explorer or an uncontrollable urge to channel an Ostrich that can take your carefully orchestrated images from Weegee to Walgreens. So apart from a wing and a prayer what can you do put the Fairy Godmother of images on your side ? Timothi shares a few important tricks of the trade:

- always make sure to photograph your toddler after naptime, a diaper change and meals. Morning time is best as they don't have a whole day of experiences behind them.. try to do this between 3 and 4 hours after sunrise as the softer early morning light is most flattering.. if later in the day is the only possiblility 2 to 3 hours before sunset is the best time.

- toddlers are always on the move so give them a favorite toy to play with. That will ground them and keep them a little more stationary.. avoid the treats as nothing can distract more from a photo than gooey hands and faces.

- if he or she is still fidgety sometimes I will just throw in their favorite DVD and snap away.. something fun with music I've noticed will light up those eyes..

- work fast and get close.. I like to shoot pretty close up.. the expression should be the focus of the photograph

- natural light is fantastic.. use a high speed film and try to set up the play/shoot area near a window.. try to avoid using a flash as it can be somewhat of a mood killer for a toddler. If you're shooting outside and using film I would recommend for Fuji Pro 160for color and Ilford HP5 400 asa for black and white..remember avoid the noonday sun and try to shoot under a shaded cover..like a tree.. that will diffuse the light.

- if a meltdown is in progress don't be afraid to shoot.. sometimes the most amazing images can be created in the most dramatic moments.. just get very close and snap away... I love using black and film for these moments.

- for photographing older children.. make it fun ! My favorite trick is playing dress up.. I have seen children little girls and boys completely transform when they " become "  Tinkerbell or " The Lone Ranger".. photographs with instruments are great because they create a sense of stationary movement.

- for newborns right after a feeding is great and sleeping photos are priceless... just remember to keep the light nice and soft and you're off to the races !

Born and raised in New York City, Timothi is a master at capturing  everyday spontaneous moments and elevating them to high art. Maybe it was all those years she spent as a method actress exploring her innerchild or the many moons she spent traversing the globe as a fashion model that allow her to bring a depth and truth to her portraits of expectant mothers and children that is truly worth a thousand words.  And the best part is, you don't have to lift a finger.. she will create the magic right in the privacy of your own home.

Timothi Jane Graham     www.timothiphoto.com  917.349.3743

Timothi is partnered up with MangoInk www.mangoink