| The field of child photography is challenging but also | | | | spook a little one; the scheduled time may not allow |
| both enjoyable and profitable - if you like children. | | | | for you to win their confidence. |
| Don\'t bother pretending, if you really don\'t. You | | | | Be ready with that camera when you first introduce |
| may fool a parent - but not the little one. | | | | something new -you do not get a second chance to |
| Tips to help are: The techniques used in most other | | | | get first reactions! |
| fields of photography do not always apply in child | | | | In most areas of photography a tripod is great for |
| photography. The phrase "hold it" or "freeze" carry | | | | sharp photos. However with child photography you |
| very little weight with children. They typically do as | | | | do not always have such a luxury. Once they reach |
| they please and if they please. Your assignment is to | | | | the moving around stage, a tripod limits your ability |
| anticipate what a child may be about to do and | | | | to capture expressions and poses. Be mindful of your |
| capture it. | | | | camera settings - keep that shutter speed fast |
| YOU can turn this into your advantage: Since children | | | | enough to prevent blurring - and be ready to move |
| don\'t always do what you want them to do, or | | | | quickly! |
| what you expect them to do (actually they rarely | | | | Child photography allows for close-up portraits as well |
| do!). A solution often is: don\'t expect them to | | | | as the child engaged in some activity - taking their |
| become a cooperative little adult merely because you | | | | socks off - in a box / tub with toys - climbing on or |
| want to take their picture. Trick them - expect them | | | | out of something. There is really no limit. As you |
| to act like children. Don\'t expect anything in | | | | continue to gain experience in working with children |
| particular. DO this and you can enter the fun and | | | | of various ages you will become more adept at |
| profitable field of child photography. | | | | learning what typically works with different age |
| Know your stuff - Before you start booking sessions | | | | groups. |
| with children you must know exactly what you are | | | | Child photography is a challenge - but don\'t worry |
| capable of doing - what your camera is capable of | | | | sometime it turns into children photography. Mom has |
| doing - what all your equipment is capable of doing. | | | | twins - big brother / little sister - maybe three little |
| Operating your camera and equipment must be | | | | cousins. The list goes on! Imagine two sister and they |
| second nature. Have your style of photography | | | | both have triplets! Other than the obvious difficulty |
| down pat, so when you start a session your mind is | | | | of getting multiple little subjects in any semblance of |
| on the children). This takes your complete focus. This | | | | position, conducive to a memorable photo you need |
| is not the time to be fiddling with you camera, or | | | | to bring everyone’s eyes to a central focal point. |
| trying to figure out your light setup. Children take | | | | Tricky, but not impossible. Adding something NEW to |
| 100% of your concentration. For some children the | | | | catch their attention, at the moment you press the |
| entire shoot may only last 10 minutes - though you | | | | shutter, can work. Use this sparingly, because when |
| feel you have just run a marathon - so you have to | | | | child photography turns into children photography |
| be able to get in position , get the most cooperation | | | | getting all their attention on the same thing is quite a |
| from the child, get great shots. At times, this has to | | | | feat. The beauty of digital is no limits to the |
| be done very quickly, BUT you cannot make the child | | | | exposures you take and you can take a quick peek |
| feel they are being rushed. | | | | on the spot. |
| Know your subjects - With children, you must expect | | | | Parents can be quite helpful during the photo session. |
| the unexpected. At different ages children are | | | | Children often are more confident with a parent |
| capable of doing different things. The more you | | | | nearby. Also, do not overlook the value of older |
| know what they typically do during some of these | | | | brother and sisters. They have a relationship with the |
| stages, the better images you are going to capture. | | | | little one like no one else! Often they can get their |
| And the happier you make your clients - which, in | | | | little brother or sister to giggle, make faces, hold |
| turn, makes you financially happy. | | | | things and a host of other things that may be |
| During a session photographing children you can get a | | | | exactly what you need. Plus, you have the |
| variety of poses, expressions and antics. In no other | | | | opportunity of including more subjects in the photos, |
| field of photography are you liable to get such | | | | which translates into a larger photo package for the |
| variety. The more you learn about little ones the | | | | customer! |
| better child photographer you will be. Children are not | | | | As you advance in child photography you will want a |
| just children until they become adults -they come in | | | | lighting setup and a backdrop. A three light setup - |
| all sizes. Between four months and four years you | | | | consisting of a main light fill light and a background |
| can place them into quite a few categories: 4-6 mos, | | | | light - is ideal. However if you are just beginning you |
| 6-12 mos, 12-18 mos, 18-24 mos, and then you can | | | | can do great photography with a lot less. Experiment, |
| lengthen out the age span. Awareness of these ages | | | | and add as needed. If you are using a backdrop keep |
| are needed to help you - the photographer - be | | | | the child at least four feet from the backdrop (if |
| aware of the limitations children (especially little ones) | | | | possible). This eliminates shadows and prevents the |
| have. | | | | backdrop from competing with your subject. |
| Listening to the parent can help toward a successful | | | | Take your act on the road - You can do child |
| session. You can learn specific things about their child | | | | photography at the park - on the beach - in the |
| that will make it or break it: Are they afraid of | | | | backyard, just as easily as in a studio or home - |
| certain things or sounds? What are their special likes? | | | | maybe more so - and nature will take care of the |
| Do they like books? How comfortable are they with | | | | lighting for you, as long as you select open shade. |
| a stranger approaching them? You do NOT want to | | | | |