Let the child be themselves
Put the child in an atmosphere that is comfortable and familiar to them, and let them be themselves.
Is there anything harder than trying to make a good picture of a child who doesn't want to be there? Think about those nightmare "Santa's lap" pictures, or those of a child in a new outfit that they hate. I wish I had a nickel for every kid I was photographing who decided they were bored, and simply walked away!
This young man could not have been more proud than to pose in his Spidey muscles with his Spidey friend. It was his choice, and a good one!
Photograph the older sibling first
Shoot the older kid first, the younger one will often follow. Even if the end goal is a portrait of the younger child, if they are shy, and see their idolized older sibling participating and having fun, they will often soften to the idea of having their picture taken.
Soft light
Although soft light often means less light, it is worth the potential difficulties for the flattering effect. Like with most subjects, harsh sunlight can be difficult to work with. Squinting and unfortunate shadows become something to deal with.
Look for shade, or use bounced or diffused light for shots outside. When shooting inside try to find alternatives to a direct flash. Look at the websites of modern wedding photographers, you will see a complete absence of flash evidence.
The same applies to attractive and more natural-looking photography for children. Experiment with some combination of higher ISOs on your digital camera, a tripod and slower shutter speeds if the child is relatively stationary. If there's going to be fidgeting, try bouncing the flash off the ceiling or a wall, or using one of the many diffusers and flash bouncers on the market today.
Don't say "cheeeeeeese!"
I think there is a misconception that a child (or anyone for that matter) needs to smile to make a pleasing photo. Thus, kids learn at an early age to work up a phony smile whenever the cameras come out. While natural smiles can make a great image, I feel that a neutral expression in any kind of portrait can make a beautiful picture that shows a true likeness of the subject.
This Red Sox fan under the Manhattan Bridge simply did not want to smile that day (perhaps the Yankees won?), and that was okay with me. To me, the picture is much more effective with this expression than it would be with a smile, and his parents love it.
Interaction for a smile
If you feel a smile is possible and important to your photo, I find that what might work with babies (ie: "Boo!" and silly faces) does not usually work with kids over 6. This age group seems to prefer a bit of interaction.
I photographed a group of children for an advertising assignment, and I was encouraging them to tease me, rather than me playing to them. They loved it. One of the kids decided to call me "chubby", and I pretended to be devastated....this all sent the group into giggle hysterics (actually I was devastated!). (See top photo)
PS: The, um, Bronx Cheer works on all kids of all ages...why is that?
Composition
Composition can be just as important as the other elements of a good kid photo. Sometimes we get fixated on getting as close to a person as we can to make a nice photo of their face. I try to look for interesting compositions in any kind of picture. Shapes and their pleasing arrangement can go a long way toward making a dynamic photo of a child, or of anything else.
Let kids have fun
A kid having fun is a kid having fun! And what could be better than that? This little girl didn't have to be asked twice to stomp around in the water. She also was the one who decided when the shoot was over. She said "I'm cold now" and ran upstairs to a hot bath.
Props
Props....yes or no? Well, yes and no. In some portraits a small toy that a child loves can make them feel secure (or at least distracted long enough to make the picture!) but a big, big prop can dominate the picture and distract the viewer from the child being photographed.
Unposed = Natural
If you can manage to be inconspicuous with your camera and simply watch your kids playing, you can get some amazing shots of kids just being kids. Using a larger lens can keep you out of their way, and ensure that you will not be the focus of their attention, while they remain the focus of yours. I think it's important to note that it is even possible to make a nice picture of a child without showing their face.
Keep the background simple
I believe in this edict for nearly any picture I try to make. I don't like a busy image, as I feel that a viewer's eye prefers less to look at. Be mindful of any extraneous visual elements that distract from what you want people to look at.
Editors note: Thanks to Kodak and Michael for these great tips, they can be seen here. You can also listen to Michael talk about capturing Timeless Photos in his podcast.
Visit Michael's websites:
www.michaelcrouser.com
www.dogrunbook.com www.lostorosbook.com
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