Photo courtesy of Melissa Waller

Many thanks to local photographer Melissa Waller for her tips on getting the perfect back-to-school photos! Want to show off your back-to-school photos? If you upload yours to Facebook, tag our Facebook page, and we’ll put them into a gallery. We’re also planning a gallery for the site – send your photos to editor@chambanamoms.com. Thanks!

Here are Melissa Waller’s seven simple tips for capturing those precious first-day-of-school photos:

1. Get ready. As in yourself, as the photographer. Take a little bit of time the night before to prepare your equipment. Make sure your camera battery is charged. Put an empty memory card in your camera and make a list of the photos you want to capture. It’s an exciting day, you will need to be quick with your camera to get those special first day of school memories captured.

2. Capture the details. What are you excited about and what do you want to remember about your little ones? Get a close-up of your child’s backpack, a photo on the classroom door, the contents of your child’s school lunch or their shoes! All of these little things may not seem important as the main photo you are wanting, but they can mean so much when compiled together to tell the story of their first day back to school.

3. Sit back and observe. Let your child relax by taking on the role of the observer. Take a few steps back, but still being able to capture some intimate shots is possible with a zoom lens. Don’t worry about photos without eye contact or looking at your child’s back. These shots can make it feel like you are taking a sneak peek into your child’s day.

4. Indoor lighting. The worst lighting situation! Many schools do not have an abundance of natural light available which leaves you to rely on fluorescent lighting. To compensate for this, increase the ISO on your camera. Read up on your camera’s manual to achieve this. As you increase ISO, you photos may become grainier or gritty. You may want to test this out before the big day.

5. Outdoor lighting. Use the best light available to take your outdoor photos, not necessarily the most light available. Try to keep your children in the shade and use a flash instead of a bright sunny spot where they are squinting and have harsh shadows.

6. Document change. Taking back-to-school photos every year is such a great opportunity to document your child’s growth. Consider taking your photos in the same place each year such as your front porch or that special tree in your yard. Consider taking a photo of your child and their teacher on the first day of school as well as the last day of school to see the changes that occur within the school year!

7. “The” photo. The purpose of the photo is to document that day in time. What does your child look like as they head off to that new grade? Take some full-length photos and some group shots, but of course, make sure to get at least one nice tight shot as well (above). Years later, you’ll be glad you did.

My personal photo list:

• close-up of each boys face (missing teeth and all)
• full length of each boy in new clothes and shoes
• my boys at my house outside
• each boy in front of their school
• boys walking away from me to school on their own (that one usually draws the tears)
• boys with their teachers

Fun photo 0pps:

• add an apple to any photo and it symbolizes back to school and fall
• add a chalkboard and put their grade level and teacher’s name
• make posters with the kids to hold to show how they advance through school
• get some props to make the numbers of the year 2011 in the photo

Melissa Waller is the owner of Melissa Waller Photography & Design, which is based in Monticello. If you own a digital SLR camera, watch out for Melissa’s class announcement coming up later this month where she will teach you how to use it like a pro! You can reach Melissa at www.melissawaller.com or at (217) 417-5555.

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by Meghan Miller, Meghan Miller Photography

Since having a baby a few years ago I realized just how fast children change and grow.  I never really understood it before.  One day they are sleeping on your chest all curled up and the next day they are climbing the furniture and trying to eat ice cream.  As a parent, one of the things I treasure the most (aside from more time with my little guy!) is photo documentation of him growing up.

I love having a few pictures that I can look back on and spend a few minutes remembering him at that teeny little size.

This was the inspiration behind my First Year gift package that I offer.  No other time in a person’s life do they change enough to be hardly recognizable within three months.  Capturing each little stage is so important.  I was also looking for a way for a group of people to get together and offer a photo package as a baby gift.  It might be more useful than eighteen teddy bears and about a thousand receiving blankets (though, now that I think of it, those are pretty useful!).

Which is why I’m giving a full First Year Package away!  Every parent should have documentation of their little one in the first year.

This package (a $600 value) includes:

• Four one-hour photo sessions for one child, dates to be determined once the winner is chosen.  I recommend a session within the first few weeks and then again at 4, 8 and 12 months.

• A $100 print credit

• 15% off all albums and calendar gifts

To enter, leave *one* comment here — anything about babies or photography will do.

For an additional entry, become a member of the chambanamoms.com e-mail list; YOU MUST return and leave another comment so we know you did that (or that you already have signed up) and can count it as a second entry.

Comments will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at midnight.

Head over to B. Lime in Champaign this Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and meet Meghan! If you bring your cloth-diapered child into the store, you will receive a gift of a free 4 x 6 photo of your child or family.

*The Fine Print: Winner will be selected using a random number generator. Only comments received by Midnight CST on Jan. 25 will qualify for the drawing. A valid email address MUST be left on the comment in order to receive prize notification.

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by Jessie Hearn

Who says taking Halloween photos of your little monsters has to be scary? Here are a few easy tips to help you get some wonderful pictures this Halloween:

Whenever possible, use NATURAL LIGHT

To make sure you get some great pictures, get outside early in the day and turn off your flash. Try to find a shady spot when taking outdoor pictures so that your child is not squinting in the photos. A bright flash (or the sun) causes children to squint, close their eyes, and act unnatural. Try turning off your flash and click away. If you are in a darker setting and you must use your flash, make sure to stay within 6 to 10 feet of your children (“Flash Range”). If your child is outside the Flash Range, your photographs will either turn out too dark or too light.

Whenever possible, use natural light. (Photos by Jessie Hearn Photography)

CANDID first, CANDY later

Getting your little vampire or princess to stand still and pose when they can smell the candy will be challenging. Try to get your child dressed in their costume early (either earlier in the day or even a few days before Halloween); that way you’ll get the pictures you want without the candy being a distraction. And don’t think that every photo must have your child looking directly at the camera. Some of the very best pictures capture beautiful moments even when the subject is looking away. Have your camera ready and periodically try doing something silly or ask your child a funny question. That will get them to look at you with a natural smile and you’ll get all the scrapbook moments you could ever want.

How LOW can you go?

Taking pictures of your child from their level will make your photographs seem much more real. Don’t be afraid to get on the ground (try sitting or kneeling) and keep the camera at your child’s eye level. Your little pumpkin will be much more likely to smile if you aren’t towering above them, and the pictures will be much more flattering.

Don't be afraid to up close with the camera.

Don’t be AFRAID!

Try photographing your child on the go! Action shots; photos taken from the side or behind; even turning your camera at an angle… can make you scream with delight! You can also try moving a bit further back and capturing your child’s spooky shadow for some great shots! Remember: the more fun your child is having, the more you will love your pictures.

CLOSE encounters

When your child is being cooperative, move in close! You will be amazed how beautifully your children can look when their features are the entire focus of the picture. So zoom in! Capture little details of their costumes; their feet, hands, shoes, masks, capes, and more! Let your pictures tell your child’s entire Halloween story!

We would love to see your Halloween photos – upload them to the chambanamoms.com Facebook page!

Jessie Hearn moved to the Champaign area this summer. The married mom of two — 2-year-old Macyn and 6-month-old Sienna — is a custom newborn, baby & child photographer. For more information, visit her at www.jessiehearnphotography.com or become a fan of jessie hearn photography on Facebook. You could win a FREE photo shoot with the current contest that ends on October 31!

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Photo by Annalea Hart

Annalea Hart snapped this awesome pic of her family — a self-portrait no less — and entered it in our contest to win tickets to Sunday’s Illini basketball game. And hey, she won!

Thanks for playing, Annalea, and for joining our Flickr pool! Stay tuned for the winner of our Storytime Live ticket giveaway — we’ll be announcing that at noon today.

Congrats, Annalea! We hope you enjoyed the game.

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The birthday girl. (Credit: Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography)

by Laura Weisskopf Bleill

My youngest daughter recently turned one. And while I like to play amateur photographer with my very entry-level digital SLR camera, I knew it was time to bring in the experts to do her very important 1-year portrait as it is the ticket for entry onto my mom’s grandchild-wall-of-fame.

Preparing for the shoot was vexing. What should she wear? Do we bring a change of clothing? What time do we schedule it? My child is used to having her photo taken, but not with that intensity. So I turned to local photographer Shannon Anderson (who took the fantastic photos of us for chambanamoms.com) and entrusted her to record this ever-important  milestone. In the process, she gave me her expert advice on preparing your child for a photo shoot – whether it be with a professional, at the mall or in your own home.

Q. How do you advise clients to prepare for a photo session?

SLA: Moms and dads need to be intimately involved with the picture taking process.  Expect to be the nose wiper, funny noise maker, and wardrobe fixer.  The photographer and the pictures will really benefit with Mom’s help.  So gear yourself up for some hard work. Sometimes Mom is the only one to get the kids to smile but sometimes Mom may need to step away and let the photographer work her magic.  Be prepared to be flexible and have fun!

The big sister. (Credit: Shannon Leigh Anderson Photography)

Q. How do you think parents should prepare kids? Should they do practice sessions?

SLA: I definitely think that practice might help but don’t over do it.  Let the kids know that they are getting their picture taken just so they can be mentally prepared but genuine smiles are preferred.  So unless your child is a practiced beauty queen be ready to hear lots of funny noises.

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Share your best shots from the holidays on the chambanamoms Flickr photo pool. Credit: Amy L. Hatch

By Amy L. Hatch

I slunk out to my front porch in shame Saturday and pulled down my Halloween decorations, just in time to see my neighbors’ fantastical displays of holiday madness cheer lighting up the street from one end to the other.

I admit, I’m a sucker for icicle lights and blow-up Santas. My favorite holiday lawn ornament? Why, the giant plastic candle, of course.

Did you know that chambamamoms.com has its own Flickr pool? Well, we do. And we know there’s a lot of shutterbugs out there, even if you’re just snapping pics on your mobile phone. We’re asking you to share your favorite snapshots — from your cute kids to the awesome holiday lights displays you come across in your travels.

Joining is easy and free! Sign up now and we’ll feature your best shots of glowing rattan reindeer and giant inflatable snowmen right here on chamabanamoms.com.

You know you want to.

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Champiagn photographer Shannon Anderson says that sometimes a change of scenery can help you get the perfect shot of your child for the mantel or that pesky holiday card. Credit: Shannon Anderson.

By Amy L. Hatch

You know what’s hard? Getting a great photograph of a kid. You know what’s harder? Getting a great photograph of two kids, one you can use on a holiday card or put in a frame on your mantel.

Now that I have two wee ones at home, nearly every snapshot I take has one kid grimacing like a torture victim and the other wearing a smile that belongs on the face of a serial killer. In desperation, I turned to Champaign photographer Shannon Anderson, who took the fantastic photos of us for chambanamoms.com.

Anderson, who is expecting her first child this winter, offers these expert tips to make getting the perfect capture less painful for everyone involved.

Q: Do I need a fancy camera to take good pictures? How can I get good shots with my point and shoot if I’m not ready to invest in an SLR?

Anderson: There are some definite advantages with a digital SLR camera, but it’s not necessary for getting some great snapshots of your kids — composition will go a long way. Try to minimize clutter in the background by moving yourself, not trying to move your child.

Also, try to organize your frame in thirds as much as possible. By having things slightly juxtaposed it is much more visually appealing. Most point-and-shoot cameras these days have great settings such as “portrait” and “action.”  Try to use the settings as much as you can, and read your manual!

What is the difference between an SLR and a point-and-shoot?

Anderson: SLR stands for single lens reflex. SLR cameras have removable lenses and have a reflex mirror which allows true viewing through the lens taking the image. They use a mirror that allows you to see the image you’re shooting through the view finder. When you click the shutter, the mirror flips up allowing the sensor to capture the scene.

With SLR cameras your possibilities are vast. By changing out lenses and camera settings on your camera your images can have completely different looks. With point-and-shoots, you are limited to one lens and usually a small amount of changeable settings which usually causes them to struggle in low light situations and other lighting situations.  The quality of digital point-and-shoot cameras have vastly improved in the last few years, making them perfectly acceptable in many situations.

My kid moves all the time, they never look at the camera. How can I compose a good pic?

Anderson: Like I said before, be prepared to MOVE!  Photographing children means you are going to have to get down to their level — and climb up to their energy level. If they are crawling on the floor, lay on the floor with them.

Always try to have your camera settings ready to go long before you come to take their picture.  You don’t want to be fooling with your camera and miss a great moment!  Try to make picture-taking fun and hopefully you will get some real keepers.

Where should I take my pics? The flash gives everyone red eye.

Anderson: Everyone likes the sun, but unfortunately it’s not the most ideal place for portraits.  The best place to shoot is in open shade with enough light so that you won’t need a flash.  Your subjects will look crisp and clean without wonky shadows or washed-out skin. Try the side of a house or tree, or just wait for an overcast day.

My kid won’t smile. How can I get a grin?

Anderson: A change of scenery usually helps, but if not, feel free to bring in reinforcements!  Having another person to act goofy really goes a long way. Some parents use bribery as tool but if your child struggles with “fake” smile syndrome, bribery won’t do the trick.  For some reason strangers are good at getting kids to smile, most of the time.

When I take pics of my kids together, one of them always looks bad. Got any tips for managing group shots?

Anderson: This is always tough. Try taking them somewhere new. Getting away from the same fireplace shot every year might just work. Sometimes the excitement will make them behave. If you can’t do that, try to capture them being “who they are.”  Some of my favorite images are the ones where  kids are interacting with one another.

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