Photographing Children

[cgipson1]

Back at ya, smiling boy!

There is a an off button.

(insert smile here)

I'm not a fan of sitting kids on a step and having them put two hands under their head and fake smile; that's why I attached the image. While the attached show was natural lighting, my studio shots end up being the same old boring pose... was just trying to create conversation on how people photograph kids as I have not done much and want to improve. Maybe there are a lot of funny people here, that's fine. I'm not used to everyone making jokes about serious questions. Maybe if I knew people it wouldn't bother me.

I've even had someone message me and critique my website. REALLY? I've never joined a forum where everyone is so anxious to bash everyone or make fun of everyone... I have thick skin, but dayum.

Dude! I was only saying give your WEBSITE viewer an option to turn off that music! No respectable web designer will have music like that, without an OFF button for people to click! If that bothers you... wait until I C&C some of your images!

 

[desmondlewissmith]

That's smiling man to you.

Back at ya, smiling boy!

There is a an off button.

(insert smile here)

Dude! I was only saying give your WEBSITE viewer an option to turn off that music! No respectable web designer will have music like that, without an OFF button for people to click! If that bothers you... wait until I C&C some of your images!

 

[cgipson1]

:lmao:

That's smiling man to you.

Back at ya, smiling boy!

There is a an off button.

(insert smile here)

 

[texkam]

Yes, women have the advantage with children.

Sexist remark. Please don't paint me with your generalist brush.

 

[desmondlewissmith]

Yes, women have the advantage with children.

Sexist remark. Please don't paint me with your generalist brush.

Are you saying you disagree with the thought that women are typically better photographing children?

 

[Ballistics]

Yes, women have the advantage with children.

Sexist remark. Please don't paint me with your generalist brush.

Suggestion: PM them and make your complaint there privately.

 

[Ballistics]

Candids don't necessarily have to be outdoors during a party. You can still shoot candids in the studio/home etc. In fact, most of my work is candid portraiture.
I also printed all but 2 in 8x10 and 5x7. I shoot to crop in those circumstances.

 

[desmondlewissmith]

I think I need to shoot more and talk less, cuz I'm not getting it... I think I'll feel better after I blast off a few frames tomorrow afternoon. I have to shoot two kids over the weekend ages 4 and 7. I've seen them together, it's like two wolverines in a small cage.

 

[Ballistics]

I think I need to shoot more and talk less, cuz I'm not getting it... I think I'll feel better after I blast off a few frames tomorrow afternoon. I have to shoot two kids over the weekend ages 4 and 7. I've seen them together, it's like two wolverines in a small cage.

Yeah, I have 2 kids myself. 2 and 6. It's a bit like having emotionally disturbed drunk roomates. All the mushy sentimental lovey dovey stuff about having kids aside, they can be an absolute nightmare to be around. Especially if they aren't yours

 

[texkam]

I want to spice it up but I'm not sure how. Any suggestions to some cool stuff you've done or tried with Children?

Try capturing emotion and personality. Nothing special here, but the client was delighted.

 

[kathyt]

You have to be prepared, in control, and engaging. Have entertainment prepared to keep their attention like bubbles, books, or any other cool gadgets. Get down low on their level...physically. Laugh, joke and have fun with them. Here are some of my examples....

 

[Pukka312]

Just google lifestyle portraiture for children and look through the images. There should be plenty of examples there

 

[jake337]

Balistics, while I love all of the pictures you posted and think they are fine examples, problem is the candids you posted wouldn't frame 11x14 for my typical customer. They typically expect posed photos... yawn... hence my challenge. How to make posed interesting?

I think you guys are right about the candids, I just gotta figure out how do set them up. So say a client wants photos and I convince them to goto a park. In this case, the candids seem to work. What about the client that wants a house call, now I'm working with lighting challenges, location, flash bounce or lighting issues if I'm indoors.... oh yeah, then a kid that's not in the mood to take pictures. I don't love shooting kids so far because they are so hard to work with.

I've seem women photographers ROCK the children's photos, and get GREAT results... I feel like when I shoot pictures of kids I'm just herding cattle.

Does anyone here have examples they can share?

Start thinking creatively!

Creative Dad Takes Crazy Photos Of Daughters | Bored Panda


Now I know I already posted this but.....


Start thinking outside the box!


http://www.petapixel.com/2012/10/25...ids-enjoying-make-believe-activities-at-home/

 

[paigew]

I agree with Kathy, you need to be in control and you need to be silly. You need to interact with the kids and guide them to things you want....example: "are you a big sister now? I bet you are an awesome big sissy...can you give your sweet baby a kiss on the nose?".

Tell them what to do! Go tell mommy a secret! Oh wow, you see those flowers over there? Can you pick one and give it to daddy? I also make a lot of 'wrong' jokes...."hey, what does a cow say....do they say arf arf??" kids love stuff like that and you can get some real genuine smiles!

here I said "can you pick a pretty rock and hold it up so baby can 'see' it"?

this toddler would NOT cooperate...until I suggested getting on daddy's shoulders

I am not one who cares about smiles. Sometimes I just blab about a ton of different subjects until they hear something they like...glance my way, and when they make eye contact I am ready.

I'm no pro but I hope these images help!

 

[Ballistics]

You are making it sound much easier than it really is.