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. You will want to get on their level, so either get on the ground or bend down. If you photograph children from you above, you might make them feel threatened. By photographing them from below, you elevate them.
2. Photograph children with their friends and family. It’s always interesting to see how children interact with one another and how they interact with their parents and siblings. You will want children to get comfortable with you and the camera so you may want to begin by photographing them with their parents.
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. Take children to a new location such as a new park or playground. Watch them explore and document how they react to the new environment. Outdoor lighting is the best light, and you will get soft light before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
6. Don’t forget to relax. If you are nervous or uncomfortable children will sense that and they will also be uncomfortable. Have fun and they will also have fun. Toys and games are always good to bring, and so is food.
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.
