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Working with Children
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I just did a shoot with 3 kids, one 3 years old and 2 18 month olds.
It didn’t quite go as planned.
While there are definitely things I will do next time to improve the odds of getting kids into the right poses etc, I was wondering if any of you out there had tips for working with kids this young. How do you prepare? How do you get them to pose? Or any other helpful hints at all.
Hi Jody,
There is a site called Digital Photography School that gives some great tutorials – some include working with children.
The main link is http://digital-photography-school.com/
Working with children links include:
http://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-for-photographing-children
http://digital-photography-school.com/highkeystudio
These are just two I’ve quickly managed to locate, there are probably a couple more if you dig in to the archives.
All the best,
Marie :D :DThat’s what cousins are for :lol: :lol:
Look forward to seeing the results now :wink: :wink:Jody
One of the most important tips…toilet humour. It always works with boys no matter what age :)
Take a shot and then show them the shot. Get them involved in the process. I had last week a session with 30 kids and for most of the duration of the shot, I constantly had 2 or 3 small assistants around me :) One was holding my keys..one was holding a reflector ( even tho I did not needed). Saying that, make sure that all the wires are secured ( use gaffer tape to cover them) and the light stands are propped with sand bags.Shot with long lens. That will create a space between you and the child. Shooting right against his/her face will make the child nervous :)
Relax and the child will relax. Dont shout at them if they dont listen.
One other good tip is that I put a bit of masking/ gaffer tape on the floor and tell them to keep their foot on that spot because under there is a MAGIC button. If they dont press the button. The camera will not work :)
Hope this will help.
O
Some excellent ideas there photovidiu. I love the magic button and needing someone to holds your keys!! :)
Its a great idea to invest in some sandbags. I was worry about the stands being knocked.
Thanks a lot!
Jody
One more thing. I noticed that a lot of people are using umbrellas. In order to get the best light quality possible you will have to place the light source as close to the subject. This is not possible with an umbrella ( most of the umbrellas will have a small spike in the center) and this is why I recommend using soft boxes when shooting with kids. Keep an eye on their eyes. If they start getting wet stop shooting. It means they dont like the light. :)
Ovidiu
For the younger ones a selection of soft toys is a good idea – or ask the parents to bring their own. Having a supply of cheap toys that you can give to the child should also help to get them onside! For babies things like rattles and squeakers or finger puppets used by the Photographer work well. Props, such as prams, rocking horse, Play houses, or outfits (Superman / Fairy) are also popular. On the Equipment front: Keep it simple and keep clutter to a minimum (you have enough to worry about!). Use wireless triggers to trigger your flash (One less trip hazard) and if you have a permanent Professional Studio consider investing in a Manfrotto Top Rail system to suspend the lights from the ceiling.
Keep the session short and snappy.
The thing that makes the biggest difference however is the rapport the Photographer has with the subject (Child or Adult). I once sat in on a child portrait session with a Professional Photographer in Galway and was blown away by how smoothly and effortlessly he managed to entertain and coax the child to do what he wanted – (Hats off to Peter Harkin!)I find the best way to get young kids to cooperate is to play with them, make up some games that gets them into the center of the backdrop and keeps them smiling. Never ask a two yr old do they want to the do something the inevitable answer will be no. Reverse psychology always works. if you need the youngest child to do something focus on their older sybling, if they see them having fun they will want to do the same thing. getting them to catch bubbles that you have a parent blow to them is a good game… Good luck.
Dee
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