Article by Emma David
Some professional photographers have an uncanny ability to capture amazing depth of emotion and honesty in their work with children. Other photographers shoot pictures of young people that may be perfectly focused, expertly lit and properly posed, but somehow lack personality.But how, exactly, do the good ones do it? Is it sheer luck, a keen photographic eye or do they have some simple “tricks of the trade” tucked up their collective sleeves? When it comes right down to it, what every parent wants in a portrait of his or her child, is something that will forever reflect a precious piece of the child’s personality at that moment in time.
This is another “Photography How To” article from Emma David. Emma is a staff writer and photographer for the leading free online digital photography tips and lessons site, FreePhotoCourse.com. In this article, she reveals some pro photographer secrets for taking award-winning portraits of children.Whether the subject is your own child or one of another parent, photographing kids can be a challenging, yet, highly rewarding activity! On one hand, beyond all of the usual photo technique and composition rules you would normally need to observe, you also have the added dimension of working with a photo subject who can be highly unpredictable, unfocused and may have far more energy than any adult could ever muster. On the other hand, children put it all out there. They tend not to mask their emotion and personality like most adults do. What you get is pure and honest.If done properly, the result can be a great deal more than merely “cute”. Really good pictures of children have an authenticity that’s beyond question and can tell you a lot about the child’s personality or mood.Here are some tips that will help you survive the child photo session in one piece and to produce portraits that will melt hearts!1. Decide on the Style of PortraitYou need to consider, in advance, whether you want the session to produce a style of portraits that is formal, casual, candid, active or just plain silly or fun. If you are working for a paying customer, you need to establish this with the parent before the day of your photo session. Many photographers will blend a variety of portrait styles in one session, but you should plan for what you or your client feels should be the predominate picture look.2. Choose Suitable LocationsIncreasingly, today’s photographers are doing family photo sessions at their clients’ homes. This is a great trend for both the photographer and the subject, and it’s an even better idea when the subject is a child. Conducting a shoot at the child’s own home has the distinct advantage of a relaxed environment that helps to remove some of the artificiality that comes with any photo session. It also carries the added benefit of having a lot of toys and favorite things within reach that the child may like to play with or use. Favorite things and special places, both indoor and out, can enhance moods and reveal aspects of the child’s personality.For outdoor locations, beyond the back yard, you may also consider nearby parks, forested areas, local landmarks and places with natural water features. If the child is into a particular sport or organized activity, you might consider including a related site for the shoot, such as a ball diamond, athletic field, dance studio, etc.If the style calls for a formal portrait, consider bringing a portable studio to the client’s home (or invest in one to use at your own home if you arewearing two hats as both the
