Cheerleading Photography

From the moment your child shows an interest in cheerleading, most parents get their first lessons in cheerleading photography. As your child grows, you may want to consider taking your cheerleader to a professional photographer, but for the early years, a good digital camera and some tips on taking good photos should help.

Here are some tips on mastering cheerleading photography:

• Eye Level: When taking a picture of someone, hold the camera at the person's eye level. For children, that means getting down to their level. And your subject need not always stare at the camera. All by itself that eye level angle will create a personal and inviting feeling that pulls you into the picture.


• Background: A plain background shows off the subject you are photographing. When you look through the camera viewfinder, take the time to look what at objects in the background. You don't want moving objects or unsuspecting people ruining the photo of your cheerleader.


• Use Flash Outdoors: Bright sun can create unattractive deep facial shadows. Eliminate the shadows by using your flash to lighten the face. When taking people pictures on sunny days, turn your flash on. On cloudy days, use the camera's fill-flash mode if it has one. The flash will brighten up people's faces and make them stand out.


• Centering Your Photo: We strongly suggest that the object of your photo not be directly in the center of your photo. The middle of your picture is not the best place for your subject. Spend a few extra moments seeing what effect moving the subject in different positions has on the quality of your photo. You will be pleasantly surprised at how your photo becomes a story.


• Lighting is Crucial: Next to the subject, the most important part of every picture is the light. It affects the appearance of everything you photograph. You do not want to accentuate wrinkles on the grandmother of the cheerleader for example.. Don't like the light on your subject? Then move yourself or your subject. Instead of simply taking the first photo, experiment with different lighting and different positioning. Professional photographers dictate lighting, they don't just use whatever lighting exists.

Of course, should you decide to use professionals, the list of professionals specializing in cheerleading photography is endless. Simply look in any major search engine or your local phone book.

Whatever path you take, be sure to take as many photos of your cheerleader as they grow up. Their days in cheerleading are numbered but those memories can last a lifetime.