I consider myself an advanced photographer, albeit a non-professional, and I am nauseated by self-obsessed photographers peddling their claptrap on youtube. You, Mr Mike Browne, are a noble exception. I find your videos informative, practical, unpretentious, and full of charm. This is simply brilliant.

I'm by no means a professional, but as far as single-point AF is considered, my trick is to set the camera to manual focus and set one of the buttons to make the camera focus on a predefined point. This way I don't have to recompose for autofocus whenever I want to take several pictures of the same composition. Works pretty well for me, especially with continuous shooting. Great video, by the way. I really enjoy your tutorials.

Hey Amelia. It's a Nikon D300 but don't get hung up on what camera to use. Any camera can take a good photo. I used a lot of different focal lengths but if you're starting out check out what's available second hand and go for a zoom lens - maybe a 55-200 if you can find one. Watch lots of the tutorials and do lots of practise. It's the photographer's eye and experience which makes nice pictures. Above all have fun doing it....

Thank you. As you say it's the same principal as with children - you have to engage them and be ready for the moment they sit up straight, put their ears forward (the pet) etc. I always use aperture priority for this kind of photography because the camera will do most of the exposure work for me and I can concentrate on what the child / pet is doing.

Thank you. I'd take it if you like the look of the long lens. If you're obviously photographing your own kids you have nothing to worry about and if anyone questions you you can show them the pics. If you're children are playing with other kids it might be worth asking their parents permission. It's sooo sad we live in such a fearful and suspicious society these days.

Thank you - this is so helpful ... and I realized....photography can be quite "sporty" ...all this bending and strechting and moving up and lying down ...you do not need to attend an aerobic class ;-)

Thanks. When I was learning I carried the bags for a great photographer called Billy who taught me never to ask people to smile because it looks forced. Just have fun with them and they'll smile on their own.

Too good Mike you are simply amazing ! Its an art to teach someone something and you have it...you have brilliantly explained the concepts with examples from day to day life, I know the Wide angle and Telephoto lens, but never realized how it affects the perspective..amazing/eyeopener. Please keep up the brilliant work !!

Thank you. It's 5.6 and the closer you are to the subject / point of focus with a longer focal length the softer the background becomes.

Thank you so much for your comments. Tasha likes that one too and has it blown up big in her house. Please help us make more videos by 'liking' 'G+ing' sharing them and linking to us on photo forums, Facebook etc. Thanks again - Mike

Thank you. I set a white balance so the shots are all the same which saves time in LR. On auto it can change between shots so you have to adjust each one individually but if they are all shot using one WB it's quicker to copy the settings across multiple images taken in that light.

I have been following your videos for quite some time now and I must admit your style and the information you provide in your tutorials are simply brilliant. Please keep those videos coming .

Yes - so long as you don't move closer or further away from the point of focus it'll be OK. If you're shooting close up then it's better to move the focus point to where you want it because even tiny movements of the camera can change the point of focus when you're shooting in close. YorumiTech has answered perfectly.

Thank you. You've answered your own question. The 50mm bokeh is great but the wider field of view and having less magnification will mean limitations to how the pictures look in the end. But you should still be able to get some great pics ...

Excellent! This will help me in photographing my 3 year old grand daughter.Thanks a lot for the very helpful tips.

Hi Mike, Love the fact that you so us your mishaps as well as your great shots!

Thank you Mike this is a great video, day by day I become a pro photographer with all of your lessons.

@Choco Thunder recompose it means use your middle crosstype focus to do the focus and keep the focus by half pressing the shutter and compose the shot when u half press

I had a blast and got motivated a lot watching all those composition. It makes me like photography more and more.. thank you again. Keep it up. Out of the people i learn, your are the best teacher so far.

MIKE THANKS A LOT!! TOMORROW IS MY FIRST TIME SHOOTING !! SO EXCITED AND U HAVE HELPED ME A LOT!!

Another fantastic video! I'm looking forward to getting pics of my kids this weekend after watching this!

Hi Eik. There isn't really a decision process. Just keep the ones you like.

"That's a wrap" .... (because he was exhausted chasing the 3 year old around the beach) .... Very useful video(s). Thanks Mike.

Thanks. I shoot in colour then change to Black and White when I process the RAW files. - Mike

Thank you. Children move pretty fast so I'd suggest you get a longer zoom lens, maybe a 55-200mm so you can A) keep up better and B) the longer lens used with a wide aperture (f5.6 or less) will make the background look more blurry...

You have a lot of great videos. In many of the videos you talk about the job done before getting shots. In this video you show what a great master you are. Thank you for your videos. All are informative and a joy to watch.

Thank you so much. Very helpful. I have three grand children. All the tips you shared in Parts 1 and 2 will help me a great deal in taking better photos of them. Really enjoy your presentation style and the way you work with Laila. You are an excellent teacher. Thanks again.

Absolutely stunning video, Mike. Reminds me on Clapton: Layla's got you on your knees :) Wonderful pictures, too. Love it ...

Loving the videos and learning quite a bit, some lovely shots. Loving the black and white.

Hi - I used focal lengths from 10mm to 200mm in this video.

Your videos are the best ive seen,and this is another great job Mike.Some great shots,love the one of layla lying down on the upside down boat.Its always a real pleasure to watch your videos,as you're serious about what you do but there is a fun side that keeps it lighthearted at the same time.

Another great vid. Thanks. Brilliant portraits, too. That's exactly what drew me into photography to start with,

It's called Calshot and it's near Southampton in the UK. Layla is a honey and extremely funny now she's getting older.

Great video Mike, love your videos and the way you seem to make everything easy and understandeble... Thanks again from Denmark!

Those eeeyes....oh my dear lord what amazing eyes Leila's got.Wow!

That a super nice job you' done there (Mike) Chasing after that little dollbaby' and a dollbaby! she is. And such memorable images you' captured........Very Nicely Done!

Thank you. I used a 70-200mm and an 18-70mm I think. Sorry not to be more specific. - Mike

Indeed !

Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S DX kit lens, a Sigma 10-20mm f5.6 and an old full frame from the days of 35mm film 70-200mm Nikon

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful child

Certainly great pictures Mike - always Sods law that they will do things after you have "finished"... You certainly did a good job... Love the thoughts you put into your set ups... Thanks Mike

this is the reality of taking pictures of kids. thanks for the video.

yet anothere amazing tutorial..just taught me where i was lacking ,thank you very much !! u r a amazing teacher !

Awesome advice in this one. I especially like the bits about letting the kid do what they want and moving to them. It drives me crazy when parents stand behind you and plead and beg the child to do something. PS - you should do a follow up with her at the same location if you can.

It's a 70-200 used at varying focal lengths.

I like your videos you explain things very well...

You can use any lens from very wide to very long - it depends on what kind of look you want to get in the portrait. (See /watch?v=HG-vPzrEONM) I can't advise on which make because I know the lenses I own - but I'm not an expert on what's available. Suggest you check out some review sites, forums etc. Sorry I can't be more help.

Great film Mike.. beautiful little girl..You got some great shots Now i just need to go and make some children be right back ..............

I love both videos about children 🚸 photography and your composition and patience for photography of fairy leila and leila photographs are awesome, I would like to thanks you for teaching such a great job,

Great video tutorial!! We need to be patient whit kids to do this.

As always, very nice video. And great shots!! Thank you sir for sharing this.

Great pictures, so glad I found your channel!

Brilliant! thanks for this video, it has helped me a lot to prepare for a shooting with a 2 year old

Aww sucha dolly angle - very useful video as always. Well done

Very nice video and it made me smile alot at the same time as this was very educational (as always). Also nice to see those pictures that went wrong so to speak, because that's where I am most of the time when shooting shots like these. It's motivating to see that pro's have some misshots too and just not me;D Again, lovely video:)

Hi. That's an idea and we'll see what we can do for you. For the time being the principals for photographing your pets out and about would be almost the same as they are for children because both are unpredictable. - Mike

thanks for the video. helps a lot. love your style.

Thank you. Everyone makes mistakes - it's part of being human.

Thank you

This is a very useful video! Your pictures are soooooo amazing!! Thank you Mike!

Thank you - yep the kids are always in charge ...

Thanks Mike , keep them coming ,. Thanks from Abu Dhabi :)

Simply amazing! You're a really master. I'll try to use with my baby girl. My name is Almir and i'm from Brazil. Thank you for the really great tips!

Thanks

"If you don't smile for the photographer I'll smack you!"............classic!

Great shots you got there Mike. I'd love to do the same someday for my kids and grandchildren...:D

Great shots. Thanks for those wonderful tips. Really helpful.

Awesome, stunning pictures!

Hi Mike. thanks for this video... i have the same Lens like you do, i use it only for birding (but i never have a great result) lol.. :) so she's just sleeping in my dry box :) after i saw this video you inspire me to wake this lens from her sleep... thanks Mike

The magnification compresses perspective - easiest way to explain is for you to take a look at this video /watch?v=t3A3SnPFPk0

Thank you - Mike

Gorgeous pictures, Mike.

She is - and she's getting bigger!

What an adorable little lady!I love your tutorials.I'm new in the DSLR world and want to learn so I'll start practise with your vids :) Was wondering if it would be possible to make a tutorial on photographing pets?I belive it's similar to photographing kids because both move a lot even though I think It's easier to get a dog to focus when needed(at least mine is) :D Mi dog must be one of the most photographed in the world but always on "auto" mode so it's time to do things better. Thanks again!

Real fun shooting kids but also a very tiring one.. Thanks to this vid tho I reason learned a lot from you ..

omG!! U r amazing.......layla/mama awesome....its very informative video...

Amazing photos! Thanks!

Great video Mike as usual. Thanks for the tips.

Your pictures are just awesome! Layla is a sweet girl, love her curls! Im hoping u might advise me a little, I just have a Sony dslr and lens goes up to 55mm, do u recommend any settings to try? I plan on taking pics outdoors of my bouncy 3 yr old son! ;) Thx for any advice!

This was an awesome video! :) keep up the good work guys..

In the beginning when you said 'I go on single focus point, I can always recompose', I thought, good luck recomposing with a 2 year old...

I know - I couldn't believe what i was hearing.

A 10-20mm and a 70-200mm

I see, thanks very much for responding.

Layla's eyes are beautiful!

No sorry needed from you! You give us so much other info! Txs ;-)

if i have 2 children. do i need 2 cameras??? hahaha kidding, nice video,!!!!

Hi Mike, just stumbled across your youtube channel and needless to say I am now subscribed. This is the first 'real' experience 'lets take photos of the kids on holiday' scenario which I have found to be most helpful. I'm due to go on a sunny beech holiday and was debating to take my 200mm lens because of what people may think. However, having seen your final images I am very tempted to take it. What do you say? I had to laugh at your 'I just missed that one' ... I too have kids lol - Nigel

Thank you - go for it...

Hi Mike, this is the first time i saw your video and was instantly hooked. I like how you showed the things that can go wrong in a shoot, and how you can address each issue. One question, what would you recommend as the most versatile lens for portraits or overall people photography? I would like to invest in only 1 lens that would serve as my all-around lens for portraiture (similar to your photoshoot), i have a canon 7d. Would appreciate your input. thanks!

that was a very nice video Mike tasha and her daughter are so beautiful Laila reminds me of my niece she's just as lovely but younger :)

So beautyful pictures. Congratulation Mike, you are really an artist. Why did you set the whitebalance, when you shot RAW anyway? Wouldn´t it be good enough to set it in LR or PS later?

Great video, man!!

Great Shoots / Thank you!

Natasha is gorgeous! Come to America!!! :)

Shooting kids is almost like wildlife photography, very unpredictable ^_^

Hello, could you please do a video on how to photograph a dog as I love taking photos of my pet pug. Thanks

Thank you - she's great :-)

I love these videos. So interesting and engaging. You make everything look so easy - but of course for us novices it isn't! My fave subjects are animals but trying to take pics of the dog I often I end up with eyes in focus but nose blurred. Any chance of doing a photographing your pets video sometime? Cheers :)

Very nice pair of presentations, sir, and thank you. Do you find there's a "sweet spot" for kids between the stubbornness of toddlerhood and the moodiness of adolescence, or is it so dependent on the individual subject as to defy classification? I remember being the subject of a photoshoot in my tweenage years, and while it's all a bit of a blur (though the pictures were pin-sharp), I can't help but think it's easier for all concerned now: parents need not fear as though they're paying through the nose for every shot as the photographer goes through roll after roll of expensive large-format or professional-grade 35mm film, so there's less pressure on the child to yield a "staged" perfect shot and the photographer has a lot more latitude to go hell-for-leather and try to capture natural spontanaiety.