Toddler Photography

[Aedai]

She's lightning fast so it's impossible to get a clear shot of her unless she's completely distracted.







HERE HERE and HERE on flickr.

I don't think I've quite found an editing style that suits me yet. ALL critique welcome, please and thank you! I'm very new to photography!

 

[mmaria]

just keep running around with her and trying, that's your only way to have a chance to capture her nicely

 

[The_Traveler]

She's lightning fast so it's impossible to get a clear shot of her unless she's completely distracted.

I'm very new to photography!

Those two statements go together because she is not used to you taking pictures.
Keep on and then she will start to ignore you.
These look like wide angle shots because of the perspective distortion.
Wide angle is both good and bad.
There is a greater DOF (good) but the chance of introducing distortion (bad)
Look at #2 where her hands look too large for her size.

Taking shots when the sun is high means lots of contrast and deep shadows, no so good.
Try early or late in the day in open shade to get the soft diffuse light that makes skin look clear and lovely.

Keep shooting.
Great start.

L

 

[Civchic]

My biggest tip on getting toddler/small kid shots (and I'm NO pro, I'm just talking about my own kids) is to have everything the way you want it - pick the spot you like, the light and angle you want, get your settings right, have the camera on AI Servo focus (or whatever Nikon is), set up the shot, then wait for the toddler to be in the right spot, call their name, and snap the shutter the instant they look at you. They never give you time to mess around with your camera.

That's what I did for this one: https://www.flickr.com/photos/106621223@N02/14162226403/ as an example.

 

[tirediron]

Vodka in her sippy-cup will help a lot.

 

[Derrel]

Get some knee pads fro yourself, and make sure you're down at her level. Little kid photography demands a lot of crouching, squatting, kneeling, lying face down prone, moving left, moving right, constant,and I mean CONSTANT evaluation of the background as seen through the camera's viewfinder, and persistence. One of the secrets is introducing the child to an area that has clean,uncluttered backgrounds, with minimal "ugliness" behind the play areas. Work at an ISO that allows a fast shutter speed, and decent depth of field.

Photographing a toddler is more-challenging than photographing an older child, or an adult. You really must force yourself to look at the background and decide it it hurts, or helps, the shots you're trying to make. There's a balance between realism, and clutter, between isolating the kid, and showing the kid in her REAL home environment. But the key is to JUST KEEP FIRING AWAY, and not focusing on the rejects, but just shooting plenty of frames so as to get to the best stuff, later. Real life is sometimes messy. Not perfect. That's okay. Just keep shooting! Look for times and places when the lighting is good, and work those times hard!

 

[jadelm31]

I happen to LOVE number one! Two is pretty good too...sun is over head so shadows and coloring of her face a bit off but great job capturing those bubbles!

 

[Aedai]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We went out again today and shot some more pictures. Any more advice? I've changed my editing strategy a bit...


HERE HERE HERE and HERE on flickr.

Thoughts?

 

[AggieBecky]

My advice---- take her out at sunrise or sunset so you don't have to deal with the harsh sunlight. I like the picture of her peaking up at you from the wall/step. That's one way I get smiling pics of toddlers.... I play peak-a-boo with them.

 

[chanda95]

LOL. I have a 7 year old boy..it doesn't get any easier as they get older. Actually, he was easier to photograph as a toddler because he was much more unassuming and even though he ran, he didn't run as fast as he does now. Now I get speed..and obnoxious faces.

She is just adorable no matter what. Great pictures. Such a fun fun age. I miss it.

 

[paigew]

I think you should focus on light right now. Do you notice all the harsh/uneven shadows on her skin...that is considered undesirable. If you have to shoot during the day I would look for shade or as mentioned...go out and shoot during the golden hour. Shooting mid day is pretty difficult and requires a lot of knowledge and practice with natural light. I do shoot mid-day often, but shooting during the golden hour is just so much nicer.

 

[marykat26]

bubbles are always an easy go to for them also maybe try to find some really cool places she could play around.....if there is a really cool playground that isn't like all playgrounds..... plus things she can play with and things that will make her smile. even the sprinkler