Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Now that the holiday
season is upon us, it seems like the perfect time to talk about shooting what
has become one of my favorite subjects: kids! While child photography was not that appealing to me when I
started pursuing my degree, I happened to use some toddlers as subjects in
classes early on in the program.
It was more fun than I expected, and now child and family photography
has become a regular part of my life.
With nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friends’ children around
for holiday get-togethers, it is a great time to take advantage of having little ones in
front of your camera to find out if you enjoy it as well. That said, there are some important
things to remember when shooting a child session. I hope this list of “do” and “don’t” tips encourages you to make the most of holiday visits, taking the opportunity to learn and expand your portfolio while also enjoying time with family and friends.
1. DO start your session where the child feels
comfortable. This image was shot
in the family’s home in a room with a solid wall color and comfortable blanket on
which the baby was able to play:
2. DON’T be afraid to head outside. Starting in a child’s home allows the child to become
comfortable with you and your camera, but outdoor images bring variety in
backdrops and encourage the child to explore new surroundings. You'll be amazed at the sweet expressions a child makes when she touches soft grass (little Addison, right, couldn't get enough!).
3. DO ensure the temperature is warm. Babies get cold quickly!
4. DON'T flash light in a baby's eyes. If you have to use a flash, bounce it away from the baby to brighten the room. It is best to avoid flashes altogether, opting for an LED panel or continuous lights to supplement the ambient light if needed.
5. DO allow time for plenty of breaks. Babies and young children have short
attention spans and will likely need a snack break before they get frustrated.
6. DON’T put down your camera. Breaks from posing may make for great opportunities for
lifestyle images!
7. DO ask for a parent or family member to help you get the
child’s attention. Interesting
sounds and facial expressions are key to getting a great expression, and that
can be hard to pull off with a camera in front of your eye. Having a helper right behind you is a necessity.
8. DON’T allow more than one person to help you get the child’s
attention, though. Having too many
people making crazy sounds and jumping around behind you is confusing to the
child, not to mention distracting to you as photographer! If you find ten people making monkey noises behind you (this happened to me), pause and politely single out one person to take on the role of "attention getter." It's best, of course, to do this at the start of the session.
9. DO remember to capture the details. Parents want to remember all the traits that make their child unique, and will appreciate that you see beauty in the small things.
10. DO have fun! If
you enjoy the session, so will the child.
Do you have any other suggestions for a successful child or baby session? Leave a comment with tips that have helped you!
-Friday Ambassador
Working with engaged couples and new parents is a blast because it means seeing people at their happiest. Emotions run high and the images captured serve as valuable reminders of important life events, from weddings to first birthdays. An event that is quite different from those is the pregnancy itself. Maternity sessions are exciting in their own right, but instead of the high-energy images captured at weddings and family portraits, there is an underlying sense of serenity mixed with anxious anticipation at a maternity session. Capturing this is so worthwhile - if you know anyone who is expecting, see if they'll let you try your hand at maternity photography to see if it's something you want to add to your repertoire!
