How to Photograph Kids
Children are a lot of fun to photograph, and are rarely camera shy. Before you being photographing them, start thinking like one. Get inspired by simple things, and find the awe in everything. The following tips will help you take great photographs of kids.
1. Get on their level and bend down or lie on the ground. Sometimes when you photograph children from above you imply control and dominance over them. When you photograph them from below, you empower them and elevate them.
2.Try photographing children with their friends and family. Document children interacting with other children, their siblings and parents. To start out, children may want to be photographed with their parents until they get comfortable with you and the camera.
3. Remember to be patient. Don’t get too frustrated, photographing children is not easy. Kids will need breaks and refreshments. If you rush the sessions you may not be getting the photographs you want, so slow down and even photograph them when you don’t think they are doing anything at all.
4. Pay close attention to their expressions and eyes. Capture how they react to the world around them. Maybe even ask them to make happy or funny faces. Have them look directly into the camera, and have them lean in.
5. You may want to bring children to a new playground or park. It’s fun to watch them explore their new environment. If you are photographing them outside (which is the best light), remember that the best lighting is before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
6. Relax. Children can sense fear, and if you are nervous they will be uncomfortable. If you are having fun, so will they. Bring props such as toys or games, and food is also not a bad idea.
It’s always good to give children some direction, but let them be themselves and make sure they are having fun. You never know what they will do, so be prepared to capture those precious fleeting moments. While you may want some posed pictures, candid ones generally produce the best shots.
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