5 Tips for Capturing your Easter Egg Hunt
It’s nearly that time of year again when our good friend, the Easter Bunny, makes his appearance and leaves a scattering of eggs behind.
If your kids are anything like mine, they cannot wait for the big Egg Hunt and the chocolate feast to follow.
I always recommend documenting your traditions and the Egg Hung is no exception. Even if you’ve never documented it before, or have missed a few years, start this year! The images you make may not be award winning or ones you’ll print for the wall, but I promise you’ll love having your yearly memories and traditions captured to look back on.
Here are my 5 Top Tips for Capturing your Easter Egg Hunt:
1. Get the Group Shot. I make the kids line up and wait before they start the hunt (I know, I’m a mean mom!). I like to get out in front of them and capture them all grouped together, excited, and anticipating the fun before everyone scatters and starts running everywhere. It’s also a good chance to get the ‘smile and look at me’ picture that grandma always loves.
2. Always Think Two Steps Ahead. You know that once you say ‘Go’ it’s a free for all with kids running here, there and everywhere. So be prepared with your camera, or phone, and try and stay at least two steps ahead of the kids! Know the reactions and moments you want to capture and anticipate the action before it happens.
Scope out where the eggs are so you know where to plant yourself and wait for someone to find it. Know which child will tuck into the chocolate first and be waiting and ready to capture them. Stand by the chocolate bunnies so you can capture the kids’ expressions when they see them.
You’ll get much better images if you think ahead and anticipate the moment rather than running after the kids and chasing the action. Plus, when you let things unfold in front of you, you can capture their faces and expressions, and not just the backs of their heads as you run after them.
3. Include the Details. Sure your kids are super cute and make the cutest expressions, but every image you make doesn’t have to be of your child, or your child’s face. Capture the basket full of eggs, the eggs yet to be found, the bunny ears, the little hands picking up the eggs, the chocolate around their mouths and messy fingers. It’s these little details that will make up your memories and help tell the story of your hunt.
4. Don’t Put Your Camera Down. As much fun as the hunt is, don’t put your camera down when the kids are finished. Usually the kids will sit down (or at least stand still) giving your a chance to slow down too. This is the perfect opportunity to capture your kids’ expressions as they go through their eggs and start eating some chocolate. This is also a great time to make a portrait of your child and to capture some details (see tip 3).
5. Include the Prep and other Easter Traditions. The Egg Hunt is just part of the Easter holiday. Include the egg preparations and other family Easter traditions. From dying eggs, painting eggs, hot cross buns, Easter bonnets, Easter dresses, religious traditions, Easter baking to family meals, these are your traditions that will be passed down from generation to generation and by capturing them, you’ll be telling the whole story of your Easter holiday.
And finally, I say this a lot, but it’s worth repeating, LET GO OF PERFECTION! Spending the Easter holiday with your family is not about getting the ‘perfect’ shot. Capture your memories (quick snapshots are your memories too!), but remember to put your camera down for a bit and enjoy the day.
Happy Easter! I hope the bunny leaves a little something behind for you to enjoy too!🐰
Jenny is a natural light, lifestyle and documentary photographer and specialised newborn photographer, maternity photographer and family photographer. She services all areas of Victoria, including inner Melbourne suburbs such as Richmond, Northcote, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Malvern East, South Melbourne, Elwood, as well as outer south eastern subrubs, bayside areas such as Morntington, Sorrento and Red Hill. She also services the west of Melbourne and will travel to Geelong on request.