Photographing a children's party

jammy_c

jammy_c

Messages
991
Name
James
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi All!

A friend of my wife's has asked if I would mind taking some pictures at her son's 4th birthday party, with the estimate of having around 20 children, all aged below 6years.

I will not be charging her for any of the photos, just stick them on CD for her. I have already told her that I want her to get permission off all the parents before they arrive, I imagine most of the parents will stay with the kids anyway as they are quite young.

My question is - "is there any legal issues that I should be aware of before undertaking this favour?"


and... are there any tips from more experienced togs of this type of shooting? (It's just the standard indoor, community-centre, musical chairs, jelly & ice cream and birthday cake type of thing as far as I know)... oh, and it'll probably be shot with a 18-55 kit lens and flashgun (and tripod if useful!)

Cheers in advance!
 
forget the tripod - its far to slow. Best advice I can give is to enjoy yourself, and take most of you shots from their level, generally this perspective works really well with children. There are no legal issues and tbh I wouldn't bother getting permission first. If anybody objects they'll tell you and just agree politely
 
I personally would just 'go for it'!
I'm getting sick and tired of hearing about 'we can't photograph this or that.'
From what I can see, it's going to get worse as well.
It would appear that anyone with a camera is either an 'alleged' terrorist or paedophile nowadays! Most parents would love to see photos of their kids enjoying themselves. It seems a sad state of affairs when we have to even think of this problem considering there are thousands of CCTV cameras all over the country watching our (including childrens) every move. Strangly enough, this is perfectely legal though! Plus of course, we now have Google Earth as well! I think the answer is to be armed with plenty of answers, just incase. All you're doing is photographing children having a good time, something that you have been requested to do. OK, there will always be someone who may object because of the way this country is suggesting there is evil on every street corner. But to the best of knowledge, this is still a free country. We will always ruffle a few feathers somewhere, but that is their problem, not ours.
Good luck.
 
You have been asked to take the photo's' there are no fees or money changing hands.
As said above if someone doesn't want a picture taking then thats fine, but I do not not know of any legal issue. If anyone knows different, please share.
 
no legal issues and staying as low as you can is good advice.. i would say pics like this will be the best you ever take.. you really cant beat kids pics for sheer pleasure of photogrpahy.
 
bounce the flash off the ceiling, get low down and interact with the kids, get in close, fill the frame.
 
I would say at least make sure that all the parents know there will be a photographer there as I did a party a few years ago and one lady made quite a scene because her little Chardonnay or Tiffany or whatever was having her privacy invaded by me taking photos:cuckoo: Luckily the father of the girl whose party it was stepped in and told her it was his daughters birthday and the family wanted a record of the event, so if she didn't want any photos taken she was free to leave. So she :dummy: and flounced out of the party to cheers from the rest of the guests.:lol:


Cheers
Ian
 
Great story Ian.

Off topic but I agree the world has gone mad about photography. I wonder if that mum tells everyone to put their cameras away when she's on holiday.

At the primary school where my kids attended I used to set my tripod up with camcorder on at the back of the hall (during sharing assemblies and Christmas plays). Lots of other parents with cameras and camcorders.

I have priceless video and also photos.

However it is becoming more and more prevalent with camcorders and cameras being banned.

Back to the topic - I would ask all the parents for permission either.
 
I would avoid photos during the food. People, including kids eating, is not flattering unless they are doing something else as well, like riding a rollercoaster, or collapsing in fits of laughter.
 
:) cheers all! some great tips and good points made. will be a great exercise to get me used to using the flash a bit more! :) I'll try bouncing the flash, getting low down and using the 70-300VR for some shots. I'll also try and put some of the best ones on this thread, and you guys can give me a bit of C+C, but bear in mind it's not until the last weekend in March.
 
kids parties are great target practice.

experiment with dragging shutter with flash and if you have a large aperture lens then its great for shallow DOF shots. I used a 50mm lens and got some great candid's

have a great time and kinda ask to know when cakes and candles will be coming out so you're prepared for it.

Also mix it up but concentrate on the birthday child! parents will be really pleased, but thats a given
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top