Join GroupThe field of child photography is challenging but also both enjoyable and profitable - if you like children. Don't bother pretending, if you really don't. You may fool a parent - but not the little one.
Some of the most common techniques used in photography will not necessarily work when taking pictures of children. Telling a child to "freeze or "hold it will not make much sense to them. Children will often do as they please so it is the job of the photographer to anticipate what a child is about to do and be ready to capture it.
Photographing children takes a special skill, as most children (depending on age) will not always do what you ask of them. As a photographer, you need to know and understand that children will not always be cooperative just because they are going to have their picture taken. Photographing children may require a great deal of imagination on your part to get them to do what you need in order to capture a great picture. Sometimes, you may have to trick them into doing what you want them to do. Use whatever means necessary to get the shots you need.
Before even beginning a photo session with a child (or children), you have some work to do. First, you need to make sure you know your camera inside and out. You then need to know what role you play in getting the best pictures possible. The child or children you are photographing will require 100% of your undivided attention- you have to ask yourself if you're capable of delivering that. You won't have any opportunities for wasted time- a child won't stand for it. They have very little attention spans and what they do have, they will be watching you to see that you are focused on them at all times. If you try and get the pictures as fast as possible, that won't work either; the key for that all important photograph is getting the child's cooperation.
Know your subjects - With children, you must expect the unexpected. At different ages children are capable of doing different things. The more you know what they typically do during some of these stages, the better images you are going to capture. And the happier you make your clients - which, in turn, makes you financially happy.
Photographing children will yield a fantastic array of poses: you can expect multiple expressions, behaviors and poses all in one session. You likely will never get the same when photographing other subjects; children are unique in this regard and the more you know about handling them when taking their picture, the better shots you will get. Kids come in all shapes and sizes. It is important to know the child's limitations and not push them past them. Don't expect a 6-month-old baby to have the stamina of a 2-year-old. Learn to appreciate the differences in children for taking great photographs.
Listening to the parent can help toward a successful session. You can learn specific things about their child that will make it or break it: Are they afraid of certain things or sounds? What are their special likes? Do they like books? How comfortable are they with a stranger approaching them? You do NOT want to spook a little one; the scheduled time may not allow for you to win their confidence.
Be ready with that camera when you first introduce something new -you do not get a second chance to get first reactions!
Forget about the use of a tripod in a photo session with a child- it will only get in the way especially as things start to happen quickly. Make sure your camera is on a fast shutter speed (to prevent blurring) at all times; you never know what a child is going to do next and you must be ready to capture it no matter what.
Child photography allows for close-up portraits as well as the child engaged in some activity - taking their socks off - in a box / tub with toys - climbing on or out of something. There is really no limit. As you continue to gain experience in working with children of various ages you will become more adept at learning what typically works with different age groups.
There is no question that photographing children is a challenge. And just when you might start to feel comfortable doing it, along comes a new challenge - multiple subjects. Dealing with twins, triplets, etc. will really test your skills as child photographer! But don't worry, this is part of the job and over time you will learn tricks to keeping all your subjects engaged.
Parents can be quite helpful during the photo session. Children often are more confident with a parent nearby. Also, do not overlook the value of older brother and sisters. They have a relationship with the little one like no one else! Often they can get their little brother or sister to giggle, make faces, hold things and a host of other things that may be exactly what you need. Plus, you have the opportunity of including more subjects in the photos, which translates into a larger photo package for the customer!
Parents and older brothers and sisters can can be of great assistance in a photo session with children. Children more often than not feel more comfortable when a parent and/or sibling is nearby. Siblings can often entice a child to laugh or make a face, enabling you to capture a better picture. In addition, parents may decide they want to include the sibling (or siblings) in the pictures ultimately allowing you to increase the photo package for the client. Tips for capturing children on film:
Take your act on the road - You can do child photography at the park - on the beach - in the backyard, just as easily as in a studio or home - maybe more so - and nature will take care of the lighting for you, as long as you select open shade.
Continue to use your creativity to its capacity when it comes to photographing children: don't stay in the studio unless you are required to. Try out different venues particularly outside. If you do, you won't have to worry about lighting- nature will provide it all for you. Think about what makes a child happy: toys, stuffed animals, puppets, candy. Use these props to your advantage when photographing children. Make sure to keep these types of things on hand that can be used at any time to capture the child's attention.
About the Author:
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