Introduction to Children's Photography with Natural Light
A course by Victoria RuizPhotographer
A course by Victoria Ruiz, Photographer
Discover the exciting world of outdoor infant photography. Learn about techniques, equipment, lighting, and composition.
Discover the art of capturing the essence of childhood outdoors using only natural light. Learn to work with young children effortlessly and without technical complications. From preparation to post-production, you will acquire a workflow that allows you to create visually striking images with basic equipment. Explore the influences that have shaped this photographic style, as well as the themes and techniques specific to each stage of childhood development.
Delve into the world of outdoor children’s photography, covering everything from equipment selection to ideal camera settings for the best shots. Understand the importance of white balance and outdoor lighting schemes. Learn how to select locations, choose the right wardrobe, and direct young models to achieve spontaneous and authentic portraits. Finally, discover how to enhance your images during editing while preserving the essence of childhood to create a magical and extraordinary result.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 22 downloads
Working with children
5 minutes, 57 seconds
Preliminary interview
3 minutes, 20 seconds
Art direction and props
6 minutes, 55 seconds
Selecting the location
3 minutes, 8 seconds
Photo shooting
16 minutes, 47 seconds
Editing in Photoshop 2
14 minutes, 49 seconds
What's included in this course?
Learn to capture the magic of childhood outdoors using only natural light. Discover techniques for working with children of different ages, from newborns to older kids. Explore the most common themes in children’s photography and how to adapt them according to developmental stages. Additionally, receive tips on interacting with children to ensure smooth photo sessions while always respecting their spontaneity and authenticity.
Dive into the technical equipment necessary to achieve visually impactful images. Understand white balance and how it can influence the mood of your photos. Learn to select appropriate locations and conduct effective scouting. Immerse yourself in the post-production process using tools like Lightroom and Photoshop to add the final touch to your images. Master visual storytelling that respects the essence of childhood, creating photographs that capture genuine and unique moments.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
The project involves conducting an outdoor children’s photography session, capturing three impactful images: a portrait, a medium shot, and a wide shot. The session will explore the use of natural light, composition techniques, and photo retouching in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Who is this online course for?
Family photography, children’s portraits, or exploring this field attract people with basic photography knowledge who want to capture impactful, beautiful, and spontaneous images of children. All that is needed is enthusiasm for learning this technique, which opens up job opportunities worldwide.
Requirements and materials
Extensive prior knowledge is not required, but it is essential to know how to use a camera in manual mode. You will need a DSLR camera with a lens, a computer, and editing software such as Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance your outdoor children’s images.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
El curso me encantó, sinceramente superó mis expectativas, la forma de explicar y la calidad del trabajo de Victoria es un espectáculo.
- 5 months ago
Excelente curso, lo he disfrutado mucho
- 6 months ago
Me encanta este curso :-)
- bs_matsunagaPLUS9 months ago
For English speaking people it was hard to see what you were doing in Photoshop because the caption was covering your actions in the film. I think the language would be better dubbed instead of words printed on the screen.
- 1 year ago
Sto seguendo questo corso e lo trovo davvero utile. Le lezioni sono chiare e pratiche , sto imparando a catturare meglio i momenti spontanei. lo consiglio!" 100%
Her passion for photography has allowed her to collaborate with prestigious brands and magazines at both national and international levels. Victoria has conducted workshops and conferences in Latin America and Europe, establishing herself as a reference in her field. She represents brands such as Wacom and Sigma Mexico and is the Director of the mentoring group Mamás Fotógrafas. Her work has been recognized in various photography contests, earning her the 1st place in the Newborn Category of the 35º Awards. Her professional approach always aims to highlight the magic, tenderness, and adventure of authentic childhood, capturing each child's unique personality and the sweetest interactions within families.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Preparation and basics
- Theme and references
- Working with children
- Preliminary interview
- U3
The camera and its settings
- Work team
- Different locations
- Art direction and props
- U4
The photo shoot
- Selecting the location
- Photo shooting
- U5
Retouching and editing
- Selecting images and basic development in Lightroom
- Editing in Photoshop 1
- Editing in Photoshop 2
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to children's photography with natural light
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
This isn’t designed for absolute beginners; basic photography knowledge is recommended since the course covers intermediate techniques in child portraiture, natural lighting, and digital editing.
You'll need a digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless), interchangeable lenses, basic camera handling skills, and access to editing software like Lightroom and Photoshop.
You'll learn how to plan and direct children's photo sessions, master natural lighting techniques, digital editing, creative composition, and capture kids' personality and spontaneity both outdoors and in the studio.
The course covers candid portraits, newborn photography, using props and pets, managing natural light, outdoor composition, advanced digital editing, and handling special situations with children.
Basic photography experience, such as camera operation and exposure control, is recommended to fully benefit from the intermediate-level content and techniques taught.
The course teaches how to use side natural light, utilize trees as diffusers, and adjust white balance and color temperature to create warm, authentic, lively portraits.
Yes, you'll learn a professional workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop—from selecting images to skin retouching, color harmonization, and applying visual effects.