Taking Better Photographs with Children: Tips and Tricks

If you are learning editorial and fashion photography in London, it will be easier to practise the art with adults than with kids. In fact, taking pictures of children, particularly in a studio is pretty challenging.

On the other hand, you can be quite successful at child photography when you follow the right tips and techniques. Here are some:

Talk to the parents to understand the child better

Before bringing a child to the studio, talk to her parents and ask them if there’s anything she loves in particular – it could be ice-cream, a stuffed toy or even her pet dog. Also find out the kind of activities that the child prefers. If she is into drawing and craft, you can keep crayons, paper and modelling clay for her.

With the right props for the photo session, you will be able to keep the child engaged and more relaxed in front of your camera.

Stay flexible to avoid stress

Although preparations for the right settings are necessary, you will also need to be ready for unpredictable situations, especially with over-active and unruly kids.

As long as you are having a good time and capturing candid moments, the results will be fine even if you cannot pictures of the child with the props.

Click the photos at the child’s level

While experimenting with editorial photography in London, photographers often shoot their subjects from very low or high levels. However, when working with children, try to shoot more from their eye level. It helps to put viewers in the moment with the subject and builds a natural perception which does not feel forced.

Remember though, at times while shooting at their level, you may have to sit, crawl and even roll on the ground!

For a vibrant photography session, try various shots

It is easier to capture pictures in variety of poses with children who are very active. Once you have created some images in which your subject is standing, take some with the child sitting on steps or a bench.

And if many of your photos show the child in simple activities, ask her to run towards the camera or jump and then take a candid shot.

Children look lovelier when they are laughing but if your collection already has too many of such pictures, take some in which they appear rather reflective.

Use autofocus and shoot in continuous mode

Kids move pretty fast, especially the younger ones. Therefore, you too will need to shoot quickly. You may not even get a chance to focus for every shot and will have to capture the moments before they fade away.

By using the continuous mode, you will be able to take plenty of shots with the right expression during the active moments of the child.

With the use of auto and back-button focus you can ensure that your focal point stays where you prefer it to be – these can be the most optimal camera settings for striking pictures in a fast-paced ambience.

Remember, at photography sessions involving children, patience is the key

Children will neither be aware nor worry about your schedule. So, do no rush through the session with them. By staying comfortable and patient you will only be able to capture better photos.

Also consider the fact that little children take time to get comfortable with the camera and even with their photographer if they have never met earlier.

Final Word

Even though it is not easy to work with kids and animals, they can be the most entertaining models for a photo session.

The guidelines mentioned above can help you get wonderful photos of children and make your portfolio richer.

Author Bio: Founded in 2006 by Photographer Francois Boutemy and Designer Chris Charalambous, Simulacra Studio has worked with a number of individual and high calibre business clients for more than a decade. It also coordinates workshops and artistic development courses to give budding photographers the best of growth opportunities in the industry. For more information on the studio and trainings imparted visit www.simulacrastudio.com

Michael harley is a writer at Search Engine.