Hey everyone!
I am back! It was a rather long hiatus due to moving countries, but I’ve had the much needed time off from work. This break has also given me the boost to steer Cooes N Cuddles Photography in a new direction, as a platform to share my knowledge and experience as a Child Photographer. What better way to begin this journey than by sharing my Top 10 Tips for Photographing Children!
Whether you are a full time Child Photographer, aspire to be one or are a new parent wanting to capture those amazing moments of your growing child, know that Child photography ain’t easy. It’s not just about picking up the camera, setting the right exposure or using the apt Aperture/ Shutter speed. It’s more!
Children are born to run, jump, giggle & play, their energy levels are endless and their moods undependable. An understanding of Children and knowing how to deal with their changing temperaments, is sometimes a more important skill in Child Photography than Photography itself . But with these 10 tips, your Child Photography experience will be a breeze.
This is mee…
- UNDERSTAND YOUR SUBJECT : Knowing your subject and understanding their unique quirks, what they love and what they don’t, will help you engage your subjects better. Photographing Children doing what they like, is going to fetch you some great shots. My son is a complete water baby and getting him to do some tricks for my clicks, while in the pool ..ah so easy!
Check out my Cool Tricks!
- EMBRACE THEIR WORLD: Children have their own special world that they create. Show interest & get involved. Be it a football game in the park, a role play at home, a puppet show at your clients house, a book reading or whatever works. Show them it matters and get enamoured by their real personalities. These are the moments for some real life captures.
Let me build you a Beautiful Castle!
- KEEP IT SIMPLE & FUN : The task of sitting perfectly posed for pictures is torture for active kids, terrifying for shy kids, and impossible for many. So let the kids be kids ! Make photographing children a fun game. Rack your brain for little activities to engage them outdoors/indoors. A little race between siblings, jumping around, going around in circles, a fun quiz… whatever it takes to keep your little subjects happy & interested. And there you have it, your smiling portraits.
The Rockstar!
- LET THEM SHOW OFF : Who doesn’t love a bit of ‘showoff’! Children however little they are, absolutely love to be the one in the limelight. Let them show off their skill, a favourite toy, a pet and even their most loved family member at times. Go on and click those beautiful starry moments of pride & joy.
- GET THE TRIBE INVOLVED: Photographing Children for clients or your own at home all the time can sometimes become boring and tedious, for you and your subject too. Getting the family / friends involved can sometimes give you the chance to break away from the regular shots and capture the dynamics of the relationships the children share with their tribe.
The 3 Angels
- LEARN TO LET GO: Accept that Children will be Children. There will be moments when your subject is going to be uncooperative and things will not go as you planned. Don’t fret and let go ! Take a breather for your sanity and theirs too. If it gets better in a bit, observe, let them be & click what you see! Photographing Children exactly as they are is at times more gratifying.
- LET THEM RUN FREE: It pays off to let them be wild. Trusting their instincts sometimes helps. For example, letting them run off the to the other end of the park during a session gives you time to step back, reorganise and reset your perpective. It also gives the subject freedom to explore and go crazy. When they lead you in your session, some crazy moments & rewarding smiles are guaranteed.
Happiness is this!
- TELL THEM WHAT NOT TO DO: Really! Tell them what not to do.’Reverse Psychology’ always works with Children. If you’ve ever dealt with kids – toddlers, tweens, teens – age no bar, you would agree blindly with this one. You tell them what not to do and there it is… bang in your face. Go Figure. Click all you want !
- BE PREPARED : When it comes to photographing children at home or for clients, preplanning is a must. Dealing with distractions, hunger tantrums, emotions, falls & injuries, soiled clothing, noncooperative subjects, huh, it’s all part & parcel of being a Child Photographer. And being prepared always works. Keep the camera handy, the cards empty, the batteries charged. Ask your clients to carry their child’s favourite toy, preferred snack, change of clothings and all things needed to keep the Child comfortable and reassured during those tough moments in your session. Trust me they happen all the time!
Happy Girls! - KEEP PARENTS CALM: When doing client work, talk to the parents in advance to set realistic expectations for the session. Inform them that the session is going to be a mix of a few posed shots and the rest candid. As parents pass of their energies to their children during a session, keeping them Cool, Calm and Happy works out beautifully for you.
While each child will pose a different challenge for you as a photographer, working your way around with the help of these tips will help you capture some memorable moments.
Happy Clicking !
XOXO
Anushri