DIY Valentines Day backdrops
For Parents
I feel like, the moment one Hallmark date is finished, a new one begins.
Christmas of the horrific 2020 is over and we have now tentatively tip-toed into 2021…And straight into another lockdown - Ugh!
Nevermind though, I have a little project for you…
Valentines Day
This is the next big one to come, with 14th February approaching fast. I, for one, don’t usually get involved in this day, it’s never really appealed to me. But, I do think that I’m in the minority here.
As we are all stuck indoors, I thought it would be nice to give you a little project to wow your Valentine this year -make it a little more personal than buying a card and a bear holding a heart 😉
I have created a Pinterest board just for you. This board is packed full of easy DIY Valentines backdrops that you can assemble in less than an hour (the biggest issue you’ll have is getting your children to sit still for a moment 😬 ).
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/selinacotton/valentines-day-photo-backdrops-for-parents/
So, once your backdrop is ready, grab your camera (or phone) and your children and read my top tips for taking some seriously beautiful photos:
Camera V’s Phone - A camera is 99% of the time going to give you better results. After all, it only has one job to do and this is it. However, we don’t all have cameras sitting around and with the quality of the cameras on phones these days, you can still get some beautiful images.
Lighting - Getting good like is crucial. Try setting your backdrop up as close to a natural light source as you can. Big glass patio doors are the best. If you’re seeing harsh light from the sun coming through, then set up just slightly back from it, so that it’s not hitting your subject.
Choosing the outfits - Have a look at your backdrop and all of the colours that are involved. Put your children in clothes that compliment those colours. If you’re stuck for ideas, try using this colour combination chart for inspiration.
Posing your children - Now, you know your children the best; some may need a little bribery and some will happily sit and smile for you. Do what works for you here! Make sure you show them what you want, rather than just telling them. Ask them to mirror your pose. A visual is always easier for them to understand. If your child is too little to understand, try using a favourite toy and hold it where you want them to be looking - and make it fun! This is all about having fun 😊
Getting the right angle - The trick here is to keep yourself at your child’s eye level, so prepare to get down low. When taking the photo, make sure the focus is either on their face or on their eye (if you have a camera that will automatically search for eyes).
Now have a look and see what you’ve just taken - I bet it’s perfect!
Take a few, just to make sure you have enough to choose from.
If you want to have a go at editing, then I would recommend downloading Snapseed. I love this app, it has so many tools to use to get your photo just right and it’s free - win, win!
So, there we go. I hope this helps you to create something truly beautiful and more personal for you and your family.
If you need any help, please do contact me, I’m always happy to give a few pointers: selinacottonphotography@outlook.com
Have fun and let me know how you get on in the comments 🥰
Selina xx
P.S; If you don’t fancy doing photos, I also have a VAlentines Day craft board on Pinterest :) Go and check it out: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/selinacotton/valentines-craft/
