Setting up to do kid portraits

[Lodovico]

Hello,

I'm brand new to the forum and pretty new to photography, but I've been doing a lot of shooting and reading to try and get better. My wife has been talking about getting professional, studio pics of our children done and I started wondering if I could do this myself? I don't claim that they would be as great as a pro that has done this for a long time, but considering the cost difference, I'm thinking I could get some good shots. I have a basic DSLR (Nikon D3100), but I'm wondering what other things I would need to try and do some studio looking shots of my kids. I guess I'm looking for specific recommendations of backdrops and other equipment that might make this possible. Thanks!

 

[Rwsphotos]

Back drop or two (color, size is up to you) all kinds of options online. Backdrop holder, off camera lighting with a soft box or shoot threw umbrella, wireless remote and tripod would also be helpful.

 

[Judobreaker]

Wireless and remote can be fun because you can communicate with your children and take the picture when they don't really expect it. This can create some very natural looking portraits instead of forced poses. ^^

Unless you already have additional lighting (one or more off-camera flashes) getting a 'professional looking' photo may be either rather hard or still expensive.
You're probably going to need some extra lighting. This is going to cost you if you don't already have it.
Then again, if you buy the lighting now you're going to enjoy it a lot later too. It's not like these photos are the only ones you're going to make.

 

[Lodovico]

Helpful suggestions so far. Thanks.

 

[allison_dcp]

I attempted some a month or so back. I have big windows to my sons left, used a white sheet to diffuse the light. No flash.
This one was with the same natural lighting setup, reflector to the persons right, and on camera flash pointed up.
I'm def no proffesional yet, but I was pretty pleased with how these turned out and how simple it was to accomplish them! Good luck!

 

[Lodovico]

Definitely some nice shots. Now I'm bummed to learn that the D3100 isn't compatible with the standard Nikon wireless remotes (even the D3000 is, but not D3100). Looks like there are other wireless options for D3100, but it might be pricey. Have to do some research.

 

[slow231]

if you have good lighting in your house (and don't mind re-arranging furniture temporarily), you can probably make due without an off camera flash. just figure out when the best lighting comes from which windows/doors/holes. a reflector will also give you some more creativity with lighting and angles without costing too much. be careful with backdrops, wrinkles and folds sometimes give away the fact that it's a home studio setup. if your house is tiny with poor light (like me) go outside to a place with an endlessly far background, get close to your subject and blow away your background with bokeh. how expensive are studio portraits anyways? i wouldn't imagine them being that much. i think the real value lies in the fact you can make a shot of exactly what YOU want.

 

[mrpink]

No need for fancy lighting, backdrops, or studios. Get some good natural light into your house, or go outside, and just let your kids be kids. Play with them, let them run around and be crazy. Dont have any expectations of awesome photographs, if they happen, then good for you. If not, who cares, everyone had fun. Going to a studio puts so much pressure on everyone that rarely does it yield any great shots.

Example. My youngest laughing and laying on the floor...



_DSC3022ww by Matt Francosky, on Flickr



You will never get a shot like this at a foreign studio.


The key is to have fun, not get gallery quality shots every time you release the shutter.




matt

 

[Derrel]

I attempted some a month or so back. I have big windows to my sons left, used a white sheet to diffuse the light. No flash.View attachment 20560
This one was with the same natural lighting setup, reflector to the persons right, and on camera flash pointed up.View attachment 20561
I'm def no proffesional yet, but I was pretty pleased with how these turned out and how simple it was to accomplish them! Good luck!

The lighting effect allison has created here is actually pretty decent. Now...about that floral bedspread background...or whatever that is...

 

[allison_dcp]

I attempted some a month or so back. I have big windows to my sons left, used a white sheet to diffuse the light. No flash.View attachment 20560
This one was with the same natural lighting setup, reflector to the persons right, and on camera flash pointed up.View attachment 20561
I'm def no proffesional yet, but I was pretty pleased with how these turned out and how simple it was to accomplish them! Good luck!

The lighting effect allison has created here is actually pretty decent. Now...about that floral bedspread background...or whatever that is...

tablecloth from TJ-Max $7.00. I know its very busy.