Taking portraits of families and especially kids is always an interesting adventure.
I can personally attest to this because my nephew (who loves me and thinks I am hilarious) simply refused to have his picture taken without crying. He is crazy cute and has a great smile, but there are only a few moments that he decides that he wants to cooperate and you have to be ready.
These tips are framed as if a photographer is reading this, but they are truly applicable to all and may be a guide to families to help you know what you can expect when working with a photographer.
Here we go!
- Be flexible
Sometime kids are just going to run around and do what they are interested in doing. And that is ok! As a photographer, it is important to be patient and be ready for the moments that happen naturally. I don’t want to say that you need to keep you finger pressed-down on the shutter the entire time, but you may want to be ready for the moments that happen naturally because they are always the best photos.
2. Pick the perfect time
As photographers, we all know that it is best to shoot either super early or super late. We want that golden hour where light will hit softly and gracefully. We want to have the best possible light, but its important that families all have their own rhythms. I would suggest a time sometime after a nap and after the kids have eaten. They usually have just enough energy. If you a planning on the session lasting longer than an hour then you might want to reconsider or at least bring something to bribe the kids into submission (ask the parents first) because they will get tired of seeing your face after an hour and become antsy, which makes for unhappy kids and parents alike!
3. Have fun!
Kids are a delight to work with. Be prepared to laugh, run around, and lay on the ground. Some of my favorite photos are captured when I am lying down in the dirt. I always leave a photo-shoot with grass stains on my shorts. If you are on their level, not only will they feel more comfortable, but also your images will look much better. Nobody wants to see the top of their heads and I feel like you really have to be willing to get in there, on their level and meet them face-to-face. It takes time to feel comfortable and that’s ok, it will come.
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