Kids! Kids! Kids!

Tips for photographing KIDDOS!

By: Stacie Hawley

http://www.staciehawleyphotography.com/

As a photographer I get the pleasure of working with lots of different people - but I have to admit - little children are my favorite!   Full of life and spunk, you can get the most darling pictures of kids- if you know how to work with them!   I was asked to guest post – very exciting – and I decided to share some of my favorite kiddo tips and tricks!  Enjoy!

Get Comfortable - Be personal and genuine – take a few minutes to talk to the kiddos before the shoot.  You can ask a few questions, like “what is your favorite color,” or “what kind of ice cream do you like,” and then share your favorites with them.  Some kids will open up right away, others may be a little more reserved.  I like to show them my camera equipment, and tell them about what I do.  It’s amazing what a little conversation can do to build rapport.  Tailor each session to the child’s individual personality.

Be Patient - Kids are kids and sometimes they just need a break from shooting.  We’ll stop to look at the flowers, chase a butterfly, tell jokes – it doesn’t really matter what we do, because very soon everybody feels better and I can pull my camera back out.  When photographing children PATIENCE is the key.  Helping mom to understand this as well can be challenge, but before we even start the shoot, I try to talk with her about just letting me handle the situations that arise.

Get on Their Level - Become a part of their world.  Kneel, sit, lie down, do somersaults – anything works.  By the end of a session I am always covered in grass stains and dirt.  Ha ha.  This is also a great way to make sure you avoid awkward size distortions that can happen if you’re shooting from too high – sometimes though funky angles can be fun!

Natural Smiles - Embrace natural emotions and smiles – I promise it will be the best thing you ever do!  Child photography isn’t so much about posing, but allowing a child’s personality to shine through.  Photograph the kiddos in their natural environment – let them play.  Let them be themselves!  My favorite pictures are those that show emotion – surprise, joy, introspection, etc.  The key to great photography is to capture the true child. 

Happy Humor - Most kids are at their best when they’re laughing; it’s when the REAL smiles come out.  Children, and child photographers (ha ha), seem to have very silly senses of humor – so anything goes!  The more fun you have together, the better your pictures will be!  Have them come up with a funny name for your camera, tell a silly joke or sing the wrong words to a song, or ask them silly questions to crack them up.  My personal favorite is asking “does your daddy wear diapers?” – it works every time.

Be Quick - Most kids are a bundle of energy.  Have them run around, play pretend (tell the girls to be princesses or the boys to act like superheroes and watch the magic happen), or put on a show for you - once they start going, you have to be right behind them.  Bring low maintenance equipment, use a fast shutter speed, and snap away.  If you’re ready, you’re sure to get those wonderful spontaneous moments and action sequences that can’t be replicated. 

Showcase the Little Things - Parents also want to remember all the little things that will change about their child – their tiny hands, their chubby cheeks, their big eyes, their scrunchy toes, etc.  Get up close and focus in on the little details.  Capturing these will endear your photos to the parents forever.

Child photography can be truly rewarding if you follow these simple tips.  Trust yourself, have fun, and enjoy all those cute kids!

♥ ♥... Stacie

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Family Portraits

A Few Hints by Cindergirl Photography

1. Before picture day, help guide the family into coordinating their wardrobe by suggesting they pick two or three colors that coordinate, avoiding prints and logo's. It will be up to them to choose their attire but a casual reminder from you will help them stick to a color scheme and will enhance the over all set.

image by Amy Leavitt

2. Schedule the session when the children are at their happiest--usually after they've eaten and after nap time.

3. Schedule your shoot when the lighting is best. Lighting is very important for a great shoot, so let the family know that they may need to be flexible. In the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky is not ideal, so generally we prefer to shoot outdoor photos either in the morning or just before dusk. The family may have to let go of routines/schedules just for the day to accommodate.

4. Family picture day can be stressful for everyone, but especially for Mom and Dad. Mom usually dreams of everyone and everything being perfect. But let's face it, no family is perfect, and so Mom can become frazzled even before the shoot begins. Dad on the other hand is usually less worried about the actual pictures but is so frustrated by all the fussing, that by the time he arrives at the shoot he's quite cranky and can't wait to just get it over with. Sound familiar??

I have found that addressing the stress at the beginning of the shoot, or making a light joke about it, can ease the tension quite a bit. If you make a point to lighten the mood, they will generally follow your lead. I usually start the shoot with a few candid or casual shots to loosen them up and get them into the mode of being photographed.

5. Even though they are family, sometimes you have to remind them to get close to each other. Having everyone in tight or touching one another can truly make a difference in the feel of the picture. When families are close to each other, touching an arm or tilting their head slightly toward each other, this projects a warmth and visually shows that they belong together. Try having them stand at an angle with shoulders overlapping. If Grandma and Grandpa are there, make sure you make space for them in a prominent spot.

6. As a general rule it's best to shoot the large family group first, especially if there are small children, due to attention spans. Next photograph the children as a group, and then individually (if individual shots are desired). Then photograph the teenageres, and last, the adults.

7. Check your shots for blinking, making sure that everyone looks awake and alert. You don't want anyone in a shot to look asleep or like they're on pain meds. One thing that can help is to have them all close their eyes, then count to three, then have them open their eyes at the same time. If everyone's eyes are refreshed, you should have a few seconds before anyone will have the need to blink again.

8. When counting up to a shot, I sometimes like to take the picture on "2" instead of "3". This helps eliminate forced smiles and helps the posing look a little more natural. Sometimes I count up to three and pretend like I've gotten stuck. {Example: "1-2-3...3...3..."} This usually makes them smile genuinely, avoiding a false look.

9. When I am done taking all the shots I want, I like to ask the parents or kids if they have any ideas in mind. I have gotten some really fun shots when they were being silly coming up with their very own poses.

 

 

10. Never underestimate the picture after the picture. I have found that once the last picture has been taken in a set, they loosen up and give you their "real" smile and you can capture a genuinely candid photo that is sure to please, if you're not in too big of a hurry to get to your next pose.

**Please feel free to share ideas that have worked for you!

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