Kids seem to get nature art intrinsically. Nature Art Portraits are especially fun because kids are free to roam the backyard/garden/park in search of the perfect

• Twigs
• Flower petals
  
• Leaves
  

to incorporate in their art creations in order to

• Be creative
• Use their imagination
  
• Encourage dexterity
  
• Explore various textures
  
• Learn to work with what's at hand thus improving organizational and improvisational skills
  
• Reinforce parts of the face (for younger kids who are still learning)
  

As an added bonus, you don’t have to make a trip to the craft store.

Nature Art for Kids

is the perfect trio as it combines being outside with physical movement and creative activity.

While you're at it mama (helping/supervising your kid to collect all materials) stop and look around...the world's pretty amazing. Pick up your camera or your phone and take your best shot at freezing this moment in time - make sure you capture the magic of your child engrossed in nature away from the iPad. We all know it won't be long before the lure of eletronic gadgets will bring them back inside. (wink!)

Here are a few suggestions on how to take beautiful picture (not neccessarily of your child, LOL)

1. Find the light.

Nothing brings nature to life more than some magical light.

If the weather allows, aim to shoot during golden hour. The light will highlight your surroundings and fall in a more flattering way on your subject than it would in direct sun. If you’re shooting on a day with light fog or mist, this is the best time to capture the sun’s rays – especially in a forest setting.

To avoid washed out photos, try to filter the sunlight with your environment instead of shooting directly into the sun. Position yourself so the sun is blocked either by your subject, trees, mountains, bushes, etc and let the light just shine through.

2. Grab your wide angle lens.

Bring in the landscape as much as you can with your lens selection. In that spirit...

3. Look for natural framing.

Photograph your subject through trees and leaves to add depth and interest to your image. Climb right into the bushes if you need to or stick yourself between branches.

By shooting through the greenery you’re creating foreground, which gives that lovely layered depth. When your focus point is on the subject, the foreground takes on a dreamy blurred quality that helps to draw the eye directly to your subject.

4. Use natural elements as props.

Bring a small bouquet of flowers or greenery to add some colour and texture to your portraits. Or forage while you’re on location and see what you can find! Abandoned leaves, ferns and wildflowers are all a great addition to a session.