Photographing Children
By Wynna Cooper - Burch Photographics
Photographing children is one of my favourite assignments. It can be challenging, rewarding and just plain fun.
Chances are most kids or even babies would rather be anywhere other than a place where they have to sit still with specific demands on their behavior. Put simply they don’t fake it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a child smile through a rough day or have fun doing something just to please someone else. Getting great images of children means helping them feel comfortable, getting them involved, and then making sure they have fun. Here are a few things to keep in mind when capturing moments with little ones.
Be prepared. Have your equipment ready - magic moments don’t wait for camera settings, lens changes, or fumbling with a tripod. I prefer a higher shutter speed and hand holding my camera so that I can easily follow the action. Using a lens that has a variable focal length will help maximize your opportunities as you can quickly change perspective. Have a plan for a location or activity you would like to photograph the child in and then be prepared to scrap your ideas and go with something completely different depending on the child’s mood.
Get down to their level, literally. Talking to kids eye to eye will gain their trust and put them at ease. Photographing children from this angle also gives us a glimpse of their world. A portrait with direct eye contact (not looking up or down) especially from a child can be very compelling.
Be patient. Sometimes a child will jump right in and ‘play’ in an appealing way for the camera, most times they will need some time to warm up. If you let them do their own thing without over stimulating their senses great expressions will happen. On the way to having fun, during the warm up time, you can capture some great personality photographs that show a more introspective side to a child.
Be fast. Kids will gift us with magical moments, beautiful but fleeting. Anticipate what might happen next and be quick. Don’t get too caught up with one idea that just isn’t working, move along to something new. Make lots of images, it’s easy to catch the goofy (this can good too) faces along with the sweetest moments.
Be Silly. If you aren’t just another boring adult, you will get more cooperation and a child will be more willing to go along with your ideas. Usually, when we want a child to do something, there is a thread of discipline involved. In this case, if things aren’t going as planned, we need to get creative and motivate a child in a positive fun way (yes bribes can work too). If you are having fun so will they. Then they are able to look forward to ‘next time’!
Article Writern By Wynna Cooper Of Burch Photographics
Accredited Member of Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC)
Master of Photographic Arts with the Professional Photographers of Canada
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