Children are a lot of fun to photograph, and are rarely camera shy. Before you being photographing them, start thinking like one. Get inspired by simple things, and find the awe in everything. The following tips will help you take great photographs of kids.
1. You will want to get on their level, so either get on the ground or bend down. If you photograph children from you above, you might make them feel threatened. By photographing them from below, you elevate them.
2. Photograph children with their family and friends. It’s great to see children interacting with their parents, siblings, and other children. You may want to start out photographing kids with their parents so that they get comfortable with you and the camera.
3. Be patient. At times, children can be hard to work with, so try not to get frustrated. They will need breaks and snacks. Don’t try and rush a session, and if you are not getting the shots you want, try photographing them even when you don’t think they are doing anything interesting.
4. Children’s eyes and expressions are priceless. Photograph how they react to the world around them. Ask them to make funny faces or happy faces. See if they will lean into the camera and look right at you.
5. Take children to a new location such as a new park or playground. Watch them explore and document how they react to the new environment. Outdoor lighting is the best light, and you will get soft light before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
6. Don’t forget to relax. If you are nervous or uncomfortable children will sense that and they will also be uncomfortable. Have fun and they will also have fun. Toys and games are always good to bring, and so is food.
Feel free to give children direction, but be open-minded, and just let kids be themselves and have fun. It’s exciting because you never know what they are going to do, and you must be prepared to capture fleeting moments. Take some posed photos, but remember that candid ones are usually best.
Leave a Reply