Cheer Posing on Sunny Days For Photographers

Are you gearing up for some cheer squad photos in a bright, sunny spot?
The two big things parents and organizations will focus on are a smooth photo shoot and, of course, amazing pictures. Obviously, it's always better to photograph in the shade where the light is evenly placed over your subject. But what happens when the organization wants photos in in the bright sun? The answer is, you take photos in the bright sun! 

Let's make sure this photo shoot is a breeze! We all know that with organizations, energetic kids, and enthusiastic parents, a little bit of happy chaos is part of the fun. So, before photo day even arrives, let's set everyone up for success!

• MAKE A SCHEDULE: Team up with someone from the organization to create a clear schedule. Then, have them share it with the entire team and their families – this way, everyone knows what to expect and can look forward to it!
• CREATE A POSE CHEAT SHEET: To help those amazing kids shine, let's whip up a 'posing cheat sheet'! Kids can sometimes get a little camera-shy, so imagine a fun flyer with pose ideas; you can even ask the organization to send you some fun ideas to ensure you are both on the same page stylistically. If you share this with the cheer families beforehand and encourage them to practice a few poses together, your schedule will flow like magic, and the kids will have a truly positive and joyful experience. See below for fun posing ideas and a sample photo posing flyer.
• ENLIST AN ASSISTANT: Finally, let's enlist a 'photo day buddy'! Their super important role will be to keep the kids lined up and ready for their close-up when you're ready to capture those memories. This will be a lifesaver for keeping everything on track

Want to take amazing photos even when it's super sunny? I know it can be tricky with kids facing the bright sun! Generally, you'll want your ISO and shutter speed low, unless your kid is a mover – then a little bump might be good. Your aperture is all about the vibe you're going for. Back in your office, you'll probably want to do some tweaking in Photoshop (I always do!). I usually focus on brightness, shadows, and vibrance because the sun tends to mess with those the most. Get a good balance with those, and you can apply them to your whole batch. Quick tip: Don't just "save all"! You'll still need to do some minor adjustments on each photo, but this starting point will get you about 90% of the way there.