Getting Great Photographs of Children: Some Proven Strategies

I'd assume that 70% of the photographs I take as a professional photographer are of children. As a consequence, I've developed a number of techniques for capturing photographs that seem to be perfectly natural. When photographing children, there are numerous considerations to keep in mind. Here are a few pointers I've picked up along the road on what works and what doesn't.

Don't make hasty decisions.

To gain a child's confidence in a short amount of time requires a great deal of patience and competence. I have an edge over photographers who work in studios since I often take pictures in the great outdoors (about 95 percent of the time). Children are more at ease when they are in a location they are familiar with, such as their own house. My first task upon arrival was to earn the child's trust and help him overcome his shyness. This is vital if I want to produce the natural-looking photographs that have built my career. I hardly ever bring my photographic gear home with me after a trip. I'll keep it in the vehicle until I'm sure the youngster is ready for it. This also aids in the relaxation of the parents. Remember that each child is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating them.

Timing

The time of day is just as important as the date and hour of your shots. Sleep, food, drink, and play are all part of a typical child's daily schedule. It's a recipe for disaster if the shoot is scheduled during a child's normal playtime.

Everyone participating should have a good time.

The only way to see genuine delight on people's faces (and who wouldn't?) is to make the experience enjoyable for them. For each age group, the best way to do this is to follow the rules of the game. Find a way to keep them entertained. For example, a bubble machine can easily distract a child aged 0–4 years. For children older than 4, a kite or a remote-control car might be a good option. Ultimately, you want a youngster who forgets about the camera and is having a wonderful time.

Don't put pressure on yourself to do anything.

Getting a child to do something they don't want to do is as difficult as it gets, as any parent can attest. If you push a youngster to do something they've decided they don't want to, expect tears and tantrums. The trick is to make them want to do whatever it is that you're trying to get them to do. The photographer's sole role is to extol the virtues of their work. When I'm shooting youngsters and they refuse to lie down, kneel, or even stand, I give it a go and then move on to the next picture opportunity. It usually works because by the time the kid has forgotten about his or her initial reluctance, ten or twenty minutes have passed and I've returned to the same stance and tried it again. You've already been reminded that you're subject to their regulations.

Be ready.

When shooting children, you never know what's going to happen at any given moment. Throwing stones into a lake, petting a dog, and tossing leaves are just a few examples of activities that provide great picture opportunities. If you put your lens cap on and turn off your camera, you'll miss out on some of life's best moments.

I hope that these suggestions have been clear and that they will be useful to you in the future when attempting to shoot youngsters. My best wishes are with you.