Child Photography Tips and Tricks for Active Children
When it comes to taking photos of children, it is usually hit-or-miss for most parents. That’s right, children can be busy blurs of activity and it is often difficult to take good pictures of them.
Professional photographers have developed their own sets of tips and tricks to capture the perfect moment for their clients, and we are here to share ours. Read on to find out more!
1. Understand that each child is different
First of all, it is important to bear in mind that all children are their own unique little selves with varying personalities. One might love running around and another might love sitting quietly with a book, but if there is one thing that is constant about kids it is that they like to be entertained.
In fact, we encourage parents to share information about the personalities of their children as well as their various likes and dislikes. That way, we know which angle to tackle the shoot from, and which aspects of their personality we’d want to emphasise and showcase!
2. Keep them busy
Distraction is essential during a photoshoot with children. Don’t be afraid to whip out the strangest toy in the trunk – we are talking about bubble-blowing machines and balls of all kinds and even special costumes for dress-up if the kids like that.
If you are looking for a candid shot, letting children touch and play with these items is fine, but if you are looking for a staged shot to capture the wonder in their eyes, have someone stand behind the photographer with these items to get a good portrait.
3. Be just as silly as they are
Children relate best to adults who play with the same sense of abandonment. You know who we are talking about. Everyone knows that one adult who plays like a child, whom all the children love and consider one of their own. They’re easily amused and are able to even briefly look at the world with the same wonder in their eyes the way the children do.
And that is how you play with children and get them to laugh, perfect for candid shots – simply by letting them be who they are, children forget their nervousness or shyness and let loose, creating the perfect moment for photographers. Getting a strict father to put on a funny costume behind the photographer can also give children a serious case of the giggles, so keep that in mind!
4. Get on their level
Dignity be damned, prepare to get on the ground. Pictures of children from an adult’s point of view don’t make a great photo album, and being at their level allows for heartfelt, emotional portraits.
By lying down or crouching to take their pictures, you show your willingness to join in, which changes the dynamic, and children tend to be more receptive to having their photo taken once this happens.
You might want to capture the perfect shot, but we are here to tell you that there is no perfect shot with children. There are, however, perfect moments for photographs, and all we can do is work with children and try to see the world the way they do, hopefully capturing a photo to preserve their sense of childlike joy for as long as we possibly can.
