Photographng Toddlers Help!

[Bgagnon127]

Hi,
I'm doing a free photo shoot of my niece and a friends niece tomorrow. They are 3-5 years old. Just practice, but any hints or pointers would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Brian

 

[The_Traveler]

sit on the floor with the light at your back and their toys in front of you.

Shoot a lot (I mean a lot) until they get over trying to play with the camera and you.

 

[eliz250r]

YESSSS SHOOT A LOT! Incorporate their toys in the shoot as well. I also bought a lil bubble maker from Babies R Us ($10 bucks) that is magic! The youngsters love it & you can usually get a lot of wonderful candid shots when you involve things they love to play with! Main thing is be ready for it to take a while & have patience!

Good luck!

 

[jaykilgore]

Have fun!

They will pick up on your vibe and ride it into the ground.

I tease EVERYONE I shoot! Everyone. I call girls Frank and boys Sally. I'll tell them "Now for this photo, don't smile" That always makes them smile. If it doesn't, I'll say it and start to smile and do a super corny laugh and that usually gets them going.

 

[Bgagnon127]

sit on the floor with the light at your back and their toys in front of you.

Shoot a lot (I mean a lot) until they get over trying to play with the camera and you.

YESSSS SHOOT A LOT! Incorporate their toys in the shoot as well. I also bought a lil bubble maker from Babies R Us ($10 bucks) that is magic! The youngsters love it & you can usually get a lot of wonderful candid shots when you involve things they love to play with! Main thing is be ready for it to take a while & have patience!

Good luck!

Have fun!

They will pick up on your vibe and ride it into the ground.

I tease EVERYONE I shoot! Everyone. I call girls Frank and boys Sally. I'll tell them "Now for this photo, don't smile" That always makes them smile. If it doesn't, I'll say it and start to smile and do a super corny laugh and that usually gets them going.

All great advice. So I'm assuming going with a fairly flat light that has wide coverage is the best option so that if they're running around the light is still pretty consistent?

 

[eliz250r]

Yeah thats what I would do then after a lil bit check your shots out & adjust depending on how active they are. Oh & since you are shooting girls let hem know you like their clothes, if they are wearing a dress make them twirl around & say how pretty they look, & if they have a bow in their hair comment on that etc. Its all about getting them to feel comfortable Lil girls like that kind of stuff! Again, good luck cant wait to see some pics

 

[Bgagnon127]

Yeah thats what I would do then after a lil bit check your shots out & adjust depending on how active they are. Oh & since you are shooting girls let hem know you like their clothes, if they are wearing a dress make them twirl around & say how pretty they look, & if they have a bow in their hair comment on that etc. Its all about getting them to feel comfortable Lil girls like that kind of stuff! Again, good luck cant wait to see some pics

Thanks, I will post some pics later today after I shoot.

 

[Bgagnon127]

Ok here are a few of my favorites from today. Let me know what you think.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

 

[eliz250r]

They are so cute!! ::thumbs up::

 

[Bgagnon127]

They are so cute!! ::thumbs up::

Thank you, I think the toughest thing is getting them comfortable and also both girls kept running closer and further from the light which is why the lighting is a bit off in a few shots. I appreciate the comments.

 

[jaykilgore]

So adorable!

I want more kids, wife says no. Stupid five year no pregnancy thingy!

Next time, if you can, shoot on high key.

 

[Bgagnon127]

So adorable!

I want more kids, wife says no. Stupid five year no pregnancy thingy!

Next time, if you can, shoot on high key.

Thanks Jay! lol, my wife and I have one daughter who we love to death, but we're both not sure about another. Do you have an example of what you mean when you say high key?

 

[The_Traveler]

Altho I don't care for the background, the chidren themselves are terrific.
They look un-posed and relaxed, yet clear and sharp.

 

[Bgagnon127]

Altho I don't care for the background, the chidren themselves are terrific.
They look un-posed and relaxed, yet clear and sharp.

Thanks, the background is what I have for now. What have you used with kids in studio?

 

[The_Traveler]

to be honest, I have never shot kids in a studio (although the idea of shooting my children occurred to me many times, many places).
I don't like studio shots because there's often not much life in them. They look like a studio. In your pictures, however, the children look happy and alert and unposed .

These are 4 of my favorite 'child' shots. All taken outside of their home, they knew I was shooting but the poses were their own.