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5 Quick Tips For Photographing Toddlers

10/26/2018

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GREEN LAKES STATE PARK (FAYETTEVILLE, NY) FAMILY PHOTOS
PictureWhile older siblings are typically much easier to "pose", prepare to be on the move capturing toddlers!
Photographing toddlers means fast, often unpredictable movement. I recently had the opportunity to put my skills to the test with the beautiful Huther Family. We held our family / lifestyle photo shoot at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY on a sunny October afternoon. Here's a couple pointers I would share to novice photographers wanting to take better photos of their own kids. 

1. Use a fast shutter speed. You'll want to shoot in manual mode to make sure you  capture their fast action. Or Shutter Priority mode works until you get more comfortable with your camera. 

2. Temper your expectations. Arrive at the shoot with an ability to "just roll with it". Toddlers are often unpredictable and very often, the photo shoot is on THEIR terms! But that's what makes them fun. Your job is to capture this part of their personality. That's why they are one of my favorite subjects! While you want to deliver "posed" shots with everyone looking at the camera, know that those shots will take more work on your part, and likely require you to be in a continuous shooting mode on your camera.

​3. Eyes on YOU. I often see parents and siblings trying to tell a toddler to "look at the camera" during a shoot. I say, tell the parents to focus on looking at you, because when the split second comes that kids are looking at the camera, you don't want parents looking down at them! 

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Be ready for the split second the toddlers are actually looking AT the camera!
4. Know your camera! Learning to get our of Auto mode takes time and patience! And oftentimes, years to get your desired results. Stay committed to improving. Manual mode gives you the most control and will ultimately lead to the photos you want to capture. 
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5. When in doubt, hire a professional. If you are in a crunch time for quality photos, seek help if you want them to look professional. Hire a qualified local photographer to capture your vision, such as Katie Becker Photography. 
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Hard to deny how CUTE toddlers are! I had SUCH a fun time with this photo shoot. Such a WONDERFUL family with such big hearts. It was an HONOR to capture them!
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Don't focus so intently on "posed photographs" that you miss out on capturing the heartbeat of a toddler's character and personality! Parents will treasure these shots.
Katie Becker Photography is a Cazenovia, NY based family and lifestyle photographer serving Manlius, Chittenango, Fayetteville, Morrisville, and surrounding areas throughout Central New York. To schedule a session, please visit KatieBeckerPhotography.com. 
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Mid-Aisle Meltdown

10/14/2013

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East Aurora, NY Grocery Store Adventures with a Toddler

I decided to bring the 'good camera' along to the grocery store Saturday night - a ‘luxury’ made possible by my husband Adam who was with me to play defense with our 28-month-old Hannah. I figured "no excuses". And also a bonus to have Adam's help. Since having our second child, I calculate every trip outside of the car with a thorough cost-benefit analysis.... "Do we really need more toilet paper? We're close on formula but we're good for one more day..." Note this thorough analysis is out the window when I have Adam there as my spotter. And after her performance in the grocery store Saturday night, we know why... 

From the moment we walked in she made it very clear that the ‘kid carts’ were of no interest and SHE would be the one pushing, not riding in, the cart.  But sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And I’m short on time, so lets allow the pictures to highlight Hannah’s two-aisle stint in the store. And p.s. not sure Adam was impressed I was of no help, other than photographing it all!
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My thoughts: "This should be fun! How nice to have Adam to chase Hannah."
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We didn't need any squash, but what the heck...
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Well, she only stole one grape... Off to a good start!
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Halfway in the first aisle... Hannah being 'collected' after her first runoff...
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Adam's face - priceless... And Hannah thinking "this is FUN!"
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Second aisle... I did have to put the camera down earlier in the baby food section as she almost knocked over a display of glass jar baby food. Now she's on to safer stuff, cotton balls!
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Adam close to wits end....
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To a parent... no caption needed. Period.
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"You're taking pictures of this? Really Kate?"
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"Shit, I think I hear Dad coming..."
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If I only posted this picture, you'd call her an angel!
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Little angel.
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Hannah being escorted out of the store, 2 aisles in... Or wait, Hannah is playing more games. Have fun, Adam! This explains why I forgot all the vegetables this week. Haha!!!
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Ahhhhh.... An easy rest of the trip for me with current family favorite Mallory who slept through everything. OMG, I love newborns. I wonder how Adam is making out with Hannah?
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Cowgirl Meets Cowboy: Wyoming County Couple Marries at Knox Farms, East Aurora, NY

7/31/2013

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Wedding Photography * Greater Buffalo, NY 

After having a blast capturing their Engagement photos, Laney Goetz and Danny Mest didn't disappoint with their beautiful faces when it came time for their wedding! Laney, a horse lover, and Danny, who was raised on a dairy farm, are a perfect match. Their wedding was held at Knox Farms in East Aurora, NY, and was complete with a stunning bride in wicked cool cowgirl boots.  It was an honor to be there to capture the first moments that Danny saw his soon to be bride. A fabulous day. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek!
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Getting ready... Can never have too much of this stuff!!! Haha. ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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No wedding is complete without a jealous dog!!! Poor Sadie just realized she's not invited. ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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The big reveal! ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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Lucky man!!! ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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An adorable child... Another wedding must-have!!! ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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Stunning couple. ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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Little angel! ©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
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©Katie Becker Photography 2013. (585) 687-8131
Katie Becker specializes in weddings and engagement photography, portraits (seniors, children and families) and event photography. To schedule a session, please contact her at (585) 687-8131, or use our convenient web form. 
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Capturing Children in their Element

7/29/2013

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Wyoming County, NY Child & Family Photogrpahy

Last weekend, we had the opportunity to visit Fantasy Island located in Grand Island, NY. The event was organized as part of the Sheldon Youth Recreation - a Wyoming County, NY based summer program for children.  

Despite rain downpours, it made for an excellent opportunity to capture some fun pictures of my daughter in her element. She had so much fun and we think she rode the Merry Go Round fifteen times. (But, given the fact it was conveniently timed during the downpour, can't say I complained!) 

I wanted to share some of the photos from the day. Candid shots are always my favorite! Let me know what you think of the photos! And to book your next photo session, please contact me.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Image Copyright Katie Becker Photography 2013.
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Tractors, Horses, Dogs and Waterfalls - the Perfect Mix for an Engagement Session! Buffalo, NY Wedding & Engagement Photography

6/20/2013

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Goetz-Mest Engagement Photos - Wyoming County, NY

Happiness is infectious. When I arrived to shoot Engagement photos for Laney Goetz and Danny Mest, their happiness was shinier than the International tractor they polished earlier that day... It was a true pleasure to photograph them. I believe you can't fake happiness and if the photos below are any indication, this couple has a long, happy life ahead of them. Beautiful bride-to-be Laney is a horse lover, so we captured some fun images with her beautiful horse. And who could forget Sadie, their Boxer dog who weaseled her way into 80% of the pictures... Gotta love DOGS! As an added perk, I was able to capture some fun waterfall shots. A beautiful night and a beautiful couple. So excited for your wedding day! 

Enjoy these photographs! 
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Wyoming County has a New Dairy Princess… And a few Toddlers that would make shining stars for the hit series, “Toddlers & Tiaras”!

4/21/2013

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Last night, I had the honor of photographing the 2013-14 Wyoming County Dairy Princess Pageant. There, Michaela Brennan was crowned 2013-14 Wyoming County Dairy Princess, and Emily Richards of Silver Springs named as Alternate Wyoming County Dairy Princess. Each of the contestants had to prepare a school presentation, participate in a formal interview, and answer an impromptu question. Congratulations, ladies! They will replace the outgoing court of Emily Calkins (princess) and Laurel Perl (alternate).

But although the night ended with the dairy princess selection, it’s start would rival any episode of ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’. My daughter Hannah was asked to participate in the procession of ‘future dairy princesses’, along with several other adorable young girls. When Chairperson Lori Todd first asked me I thought nothing of it. How easy, I thought!

And how wrong I was… After chasing then pinning Hannah down to put her in her dress, I assumed things were all set. Wrong again. Line up and leave your crown on? Not a chance! In sync with the same time Hannah was supposed to walk out, she threw the crown off her head and burst into tears… The graceful entry I had imagined in my head a couple weeks before was long gone now. But as Hannah was escorted to a crying area this time, her cry was matched by other toddlers… I couldn’t help but laugh. But sometimes the pictures do a better job of telling the story…

Congratulations to Michaela and Emily and their amazing team of Ambassadors. This pageant is always so well done, under the leadership of Chairperson Lori Todd and her committee and Master of Ceremonies John Emerling. 


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2013 Wyoming Ccounty Dairy Princess & Court. From Left: Laurel Perl, Outgoing Alternate; Emily Richards, 2013 Alternate; Michaela Brennan, 2013 Wyoming Co. Dairy Princess; Emily Richards; Outgoing Princess; Claudia Hauslauer, NYS 2nd Alternate Dairy Princess
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Dairy Ambassadors for 2013-14
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Don't be fooled by the innocence of this picture... She was running around in a diaper less than 10 minutes after this was taken!
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Brittany Martin, Dairy Ambassador
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MC John Emerling and Claudia Hauslauer, NYS 2nd Alternate Dairy Princess
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Bob Todd presents the Dairy Ambassador "Go Getter" award in honor of Erika Todd.
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Attendees enjoyed an excellent dinner at Breezy Hill Party House. Pictured: Melinda Martin.
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Lori Todd giving flowers to future dairy princess Hannah Becker, assuming she will ever keep a crown on
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Star toddler Gracie True enjoying her evening, haha.
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School presentation by Michaela Brennan
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Olivia Act - Deserving Family Selected for Free Photo Shoot!

1/11/2013

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Congratulations to the Phillips Family!

As many know from my last blog post, I recently accepted nominations for a deserving family to win a free photo shoot. This gesture is in honor of the Olivia Act, which pays tribute to the lives lost in the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. 

Thank you to everyone for your nominations. I am very excited to announce that the Phillips family of Peterboro, NY has been selected as the winner!! Shanelle Phillips was nominated by her sister Star Popek Reed of Las Vegas, NV. I am very excited to share Star's kind nomination letter below.
First of all I think it is wonderful that you are doing this and second, I would like to nominate my sister, Shanelle Phillips, and her beautiful family.

Shanelle has had quite the year. Last fall she was in the process of having her now four year old son Gavin evaluated. He did not seem to be progressing at a normal rate and she was concerned that his verbal and fine motor skills were not where they should be. Then the day before Halloween Gavin had his first of a series of seizures and has since been diagnosed with epilepsy. He has been on a series of medications that have kept the seizures at bay but for a parent I'm sure it's terrifying on a daily basis. A week after his first seizure she found out that she was pregnant! Of course a blessing but my sister's plate was already overflowing. Beautiful baby Bella was born on the 4th of July and Gavin was enrolled in Stockbridge's special education preschool this fall and is doing great. Yeah!! Throughout all of this my sister has never once held a pity party for herself- she has pulled up her bootstraps and forged on, shoulders back, head held high, and continues to be a wonderful and supportive mother and wife. She has done this without much of a support system as myself and parents are thousands of miles away.

At this time, her and her husband cannot afford to have family pictures taken but I know that they would appreciate and treasure them forever! Please consider Shanelle and her family for this as they are so worthy! 

Thank you for doing this Katie, regardless if my sister is chosen it's such an awesome gesture! Take care, have a wonderful Christmas!
Needless to say, I am very excited to photograph Shanelle and her family. Since I am based in the Buffalo area, I will do the photo shoot on one of my many trips to the CNY area this year. Please stay tuned for the pictures!
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Olivia Act - Nominate a Deserving Family

12/27/2012

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Send Nominations By January 5th, 2013

Send nominations to katiebeckerphotography.com with the subject line 'Olivia Act' detailing why the family you are nominating deserves a  free photo session.
The Olivia Act -- named after one of the children killed in Newtown, CT -- was started by a photographer who wishes to remain anonymous. Olivia’s family had family pictures taken a short time before she was killed. Those pictures are precious and now priceless to them. Upon hearing this, this photographer was moved to give away a 30 minute family photo shoot and has challenged other photographers to do the same. We go about our daily lives and sometimes we don’t take the time or have the resources to have family photos taken.

I will be taking nominations for a family who you think would appreciate this gift of memories. The session will take place sometime after the new year and will be FREE to the family selected. Please email me your nomination(s) subject titled "Olivia Act" to katiebeckerphotography@gamil.com and include a message on who you're nominating and the reason you'd love them to get this. The family chosen will be contacted via email and phone, so please include their email address and phone number as well! I'll be taking nominations through January 5, 2013. Please SHARE this status so your friends and family will know too!

And fellow photographers, please think about participating in the Olivia act too. ♥
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Photographing Toddlers

12/20/2012

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Family Photography with Toddlers

Last week, I had the pleasure of photographing Ruth and Kevin Countermine's family, along with their beautiful children. I love family photo shoots, especially with toddlers. They have such a fascination for the world, and it's fun to capture it through their eyes. And if you know anything about toddlers - slow shutter speeds won't cut it! If I can offer a few suggestions for photographing toddlers, here they are:

  • Let them be themselves... Posed pictures are great, but a good photographer should be able to capture the true essence of your child as they explore the world around them. It's okay to have pictures of them being themselves and not posed. Try to use zoom lenses and stand back in a non-obtrusive way and just capture some candids.
  • Fast shutter speeds  If your kids are running, try to use a faster shutter speed to capture the action. Too low of a speed and you will get a blurry picture. Start at 100 and work your way up to experiment with your camera.

Here are a few cute shots from our time together...
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To Be a Kid Again... 

12/5/2012

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Capturing Children in Their Element

Had a fun day today with Hannah B. I just love watching her play. And there is no better place to do that than Explore & More in East Aurora, NY. I was glad that I brought the camera with me today...! I have yet to fill out her 'baby book' with stories of her growing up, and often kick myself for not writing down every little milestone and when it occurred  But for what I lack in journaling, I have sure made up for with pictures of her. That should count for something, right?

Since Hannah is an only child I often have to ask other Moms, and even my own, if her development seems on track. But I sometimes think that just boils down to mother's intuition. She is almost 18 months old and is home with me. So I am trying to expose her to more and more interaction with kids her age. Today, for example, we had our first outing with the Southtowns Moms Group and had a blast. Met some really cool Moms - Laryn, Leslie and Heather. 

But as far as 'interaction' today, she didn't do much of that. Hannah seems to march to the beat of her own drum, takes a while to warm up at first, and is starting to develop quite a personality. She is not much of a talker yet, but seems to know the words that cover most of the biggies: "Mom" (not Mommy), "Dada" and "uh-oh" (my favorite one to hear her say)! She certainly knows what is going on and is very curious about the world around her. 

Be sure to grab the camera for your next trip. 

Some of my favorite shoots are when parents hire me to capture their children 'in their element' - a photojournalist's capture of their day. Don't hesitate to contact me to set something up. 

Today at Explore & More, she had a blast. I took some fun pictures and wanted to share some of Hannah's favorites at the museum!
"She is not much of a talker yet, but seems to know the words that cover most of the biggies: "Mom" (not Mommy), "Dada" and "uh-oh" (my favorite one to hear her say)! She certainly knows what is going on and is very curious about the world around her."
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I think this is my favorite for the day...! 

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