While anytime is a great time to take pictures, to get the best shots in autumn, you should strive to get portraits of your family during the “magic hour”. This refers to the hour after sunrise and/or the hour just before sunset. Surely there will be great opportunities, throughout the day, for good lighting, but shooting at these times can almost guarantee some of the best natural lighting for your subjects.

Outside photography in autumn isn’t the only option.

Don’t forget there are costumes and fun-times to capture at Halloween. Before the make-up wears off or the costume get accidentally ripped, try getting some candid shots of your kids before they leave to go Trick-or-Treating.

There will also be chances for some great captures, with relationships and memories made, at your family’s Thanksgiving gathering. These are wonderful times to capture through photography for posterity’s sake.

Some Tips for Stunning Fall Time Fun Photos:

• Pay attention to the time of day, to achieve the best lighting. Remember that there is something photographers like to call the “magic hour” which is the hour after sunrise and the hour right before sunset. Shooting outside during these times will produce a wonderful natural lighting for your subject.

• A wide angle shot, including the changing leaves, would be wonderful, but remember to get in closer, too. After all, your baby or children are the main focus of your photography.

• Don’t just set up your children and snap; move around and capture a variety of angles (i.e. get down low, shoot down from up above)

• Take your time and shoot a lot. The perfect shot isn’t always achieved immediately. You should devote some time to getting the pictures you envision. And even if you don’t have a clear vision of what you want, getting out and simply photographing your subjects will yield something worthy. Sometimes a photographer’s favorite photo of his subject is something accidentally shot.

• If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

• Be sure to share your timeless memories with the whole family. A precious photo book or photo cards are two great ideas that your loved ones will appreciate forever

A 2003 study by Partners for Passenger Safety (www.chop.edu/carseat) found that 100 % of children below 1 year of age and 96% of 3 year olds involved in traffic collisions had been using a car seat or booster seat at the time of a crash. However, only 59% of 5-year-olds, 14% of 7-year-olds, and 9% of 8-year-olds were restrained at the time of the crash. Most people are well aware of the need for infants, toddlers and small children to be in a car seat that is appropriate for their age and weight. Regrettably, few parents understand that most children need booster seats until they are age 8-11, depending on the child’s size and how the vehicle seat belt fits.

California law requires that children ride properly restrained in the back seat until they are at least 6 years old or weigh 60 pounds. California is one of 33 states that require use of a booster or other child restraint beyond age 4; some states have increased the requirement to age 8. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommends that ALL children age 12 and under ride in the back seat. A recent study suggests that children ride in the back seat longer – until they are at least 15 years old.

By law, older children must also ride properly buckled up. Regardless of age or size, if the seat belt does not fit correctly because the child is too small, too thin or just not mature enough to sit in a seat belt correctly, the parent or driver can be fined more than $350. Even more tragically, the child could be injured or killed if there is a car crash. So, before you move your child out of a booster seat, try the 5 Step test. Ask your child to sit using the vehicle lap and shoulder belt without the booster. If you answer “NO” to any of the questions below, your child still needs to ride in a booster seat.

5-Step Test

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?

3. Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?

4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Booster seats come in a wide array of shapes and sizes, including high back, backless and high back with removable back. The backless booster might be a good choice for carpools and play dates. It may be preferred by an older child since it cannot readily be seen from outside the car.

For more information or a low cost car seat or booster, call Safely on the Move at (619) 594-0784 or toll free (866) 700-7686 or visit www.safelyonthemove.sdsu.edu.

About the Article:
This information provided by the San Diego State University Foundation.