8 Tips for Photographing Your Kids

How is it different from photographing adults?

The Approach to Clicking Photos of Children:

It's a challenging task for photographing children since they usually don't like posing for the camera. It's especially true when they're find something else, more interesting to focus their attention on. It's challenging to capture the moment as it often results in blurry or out of focus photographs. Since children are dynamic all the time, it's impossible to command them to do what we want. You should set up your camera in a way that helps you have some control over the shoot. Using a fast shutter will reduce motion blur, in case the children are constantly in motion.

The Style:

The beauty lies in capturing them as they are, and impromptu shots can sometimes be the best. Adults tend to project what they want you to believe. Children are honest. They are usually not self-conscious. They hold on to their natural emotions; they never fake it. You, as a photographer, should be ready to capture the "moment." You can capture them while smiling, laughing, or playing in an environment in which they are comfortable.

The Context:

The subject, surroundings and background are essential for the right shot. Light also plays an important role. The light is the component of the story. The light can give or take away attention.

8 Tips for Photographing Kids

1)     Put them at Ease

Make them feel at home. You can't force them to do something for the shoot. To bring out the essence of the natural child for a prized photograph, you need to make them feel natural and not conscious of being photographed. Even if you do, children will fall back to their genuine selves.

2)     Focus on your technicalities

Decide on the type of Photo you need to shoot, i.e., Portrait, Group, Activity, Games, etc. Accordingly select the lens type – long lenses, Wide aperture for a Portrait and likewise, for a documentary-style use wider lenses etc. Make the surroundings blurred, focusing primarily on the subject.

3)     Have Patience with Kids & Display Tolerance

By doing so, you bring out the best expression on the kids' face and body language.

You should get down to their level. You are taller than your kids, so don't look down on them all the time. It would be best if you got a genuine expression or a moment of warmth. You should lower yourself to their eye level as much as possible.

Be careful not to tire them out. You should shoot in quick short bursts to get them in their most energetic moments. Trying to force them to sit in one place will be counterproductive as they may tend to get irritable quite easily. It would help if you were watching for the signs when they are done.

4)     Let Kids be kids

If required, bring out the child in you. It would help if you were a bit like a kid, letting loose, joking with them, laughing, singing, and dancing. If you want them to look at you, don't ask them so. Instead, you can tell a story.

5)     Select a suitable time to suit the Childs' Mood

You know your kid best. What time of the day the kid is in a good mood? When more moody or sleepy? So select the appropriate time during the day, depending on your kid’s disposition.

6)     While photographing someone else's kid, ask the parent

Ask them about the kid’s schedules of daily meals and sleep. Also the general mood and temperament during the various parts of the day.

7)     Choose the location to suit the kind of Photography for Kids

It could be a Playground or locations familiar to the kid. For group photo sessions, the kid should be familiar with other kids in the group (that could be helpful).
Photographing kids with pets in known environs for both the kid and the pet is also important.

8)     Capture the Child's attention and click Multiple Frames

Avoid distractions. It would be best if you spoke to your child in the language that is easily understood by him/her. You must have a rapport with them as talking to them is not easy. It would be best if you didn't try to talk down to them. Let them speak naturally. Should you miss out on the ideal shot, shoot multiple frames. Capture the right moments. Make full use of the space between the child and the background. It will produce a dreamy effect.

Conclusion

Photographing children can be a joyful and rewarding process, but it's also uniquely challenging. Whether you're looking to launch a career in portraiture or want to capture moments with your own family, there's a lot to think about when it comes to photographing kids.