Top 10 Tips for Photographing Children

There is nothing as beautiful as a candid shot of a small child in its element, playing, laughing or even simply lost in a pensive moment – the innocence of the subject makes for truly beautiful images.

Children are notoriously difficult to photograph, but this kind of photography can also be the most rewarding. The key is to engage the child, keep things fun and relaxed, and snap away liberally! Here are my top tips for getting the best out of a photography session with a child:

1.     Vary the location.

When photographing a child (or children) it’s always best to have two to three settings in mind. Somewhere you can have fun is ideal – perhaps two outdoor locations like the garden and the park, and then one indoor, like the child’s bedroom.

Outdoor spaces are great because the child has the freedom to run around and play freely. You can get great shots of kids on slides, picking flowers, even making mudpies! Indoors, children tend to relax within a familiar environment. Get them to show you their favourite teddies, set up a tea party for their dolls, or line up their trains or dinky cars. There are usually some lovely shots to be had of kids immersed in play, and you can capture that sense of quiet joy in your pictures.

2.     Make the most of the surroundings.

If you’re shooting outdoors, use the textures in the backdrop to your advantage. Trees, flowers, foliage – they can all provide interesting texture and depth to your pictures, even when the main focus in on the child.

You can also use elements of the setting to engage the child in activity – shoot him or her picking flowers, hanging on a tree, even observing a beetle in the garden. These ‘natural’ shots will always work better than trying to get the child to pose for the camera.

3.     Choose a shady spot.

Children tend to squint in strong sunlight, and it creates harsh shadows too, so it’s best to avoid in an outdoor shoot. Instead, find a shady spot where the child will be more comfortable and the light is reflected or diffused, resulting in a softer-looking shot.

4.     Keep it natural.

Young children don’t respond well to requests to pose for a formal portrait, plus you end up losing the essential spirit of fun that they possess. Cheesy smiles are a no-no – children are most expressive when they are just being themselves.

Try to engage the child in an activity, like lining up all their stuffed toys, or setting up a train track. If you’re outside, get the child’s attention by asking them to show you something – their favourite flower, how high they can go on the swings, or whether they can make ‘rain’ out of a pile of fallen leaves. The relaxed, happy expressions you will capture will be far better than any ‘posed’ pictures!

5.     Get the child involved.

Sometimes kids will just not be in the mood to be photographed. In this situation, the best way to bring them round is to involve them. Let them look through the viewfinder after you take a couple of shots, so they understand what you are doing – and show them how they look when they are scowling! You can even let them click a few pictures themselves to gain their interest.

Once the potentially bad mood has been averted, quickly interest the child in something fun, and start clicking away!

6.     Get down to the child’s level.

If you try photographing a child from your height, you end up with distorted pictures – an overly large head, with a disproportionately small body. It’s important to avoid a ‘patronising’ point of view shot by getting down to the child’s eye level and shooting from there. You’ll be able to make the child feel more comfortable and involved that way too.

Having said that, it’s sometimes fun to experiment with angles, so try some ‘head down’ shots just for fun!

7.     Focus on the eyes.

This point holds true for most portraits, but it is particularly important for children’s photography. The viewer of an image is always drawn to the eyes of the subject, and if they are blurred or out of focus it spoils the effect of the entire image.

8.     Keep the backdrop simple.

You don’t want to detract from the child, so avoid backgrounds that are too busy or distracting. Simple, natural backdrops of grass or trees work well, but if you find there is too much detail, try blurring it slightly to maintain focus on the child.

9.     Make sure the child is comfortable.

A child who is uncomfortable in a scratchy outfit or overly formal clothes will never relax enough to take a good photograph. The child should be dressed in comfortable clothes, something that is colourful and reflects their personality. It’s also a good idea to keep different outfits for different locations and change in between to really alter the look of each set of pictures.

10.  And finally – have fun!

A photography shoot with a child needs to be relaxed, flexible, and above all fun! Encourage the child to play games, jump, run around, and be totally relaxed – that way you will capture his or her true energy and spirit. You’ll need to be quick to react – you won’t know what they’ll do next – and endlessly patient, but the end result will be natural, joyous photographs which are full of movement and energy. And really, isn’t that what kids are all about?

These tips should help you get the possible photographs of children, natural, beautiful pictures that can be treasured forever.

For more information:
Contact: Laura Barker
Mobile: 07734 603 411
Email: laura@laurabarkerphotography.com
Website: www.laurabarkerphotography.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/laurabarker411
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LauraBarkerPhotography