Photographing children

[Leedsforever]

I have been asked to take a few shots of my friends little girl and she has seen what i have done of my own little girl and wants them to go up on her wall ...eek

I find it easy to get shots of my own daughter but Im a bit worried about how these ones are going to go, and I dont want her to be disappointed. Ive found some good articles on digital photography school.com and was wondering if anyone has some advice for me

Thanks

 

[KIPAX]

To be honest its difficult not to take a good shot of kids.. however you will probably notice a differnce with someone elses... I cant figure out why.. but..

Anyways I wouldnt worry.. just go for it.. you can do it as you ahve alreadyfor your own.. so I dont think you need too much coaching

 

[Deleted member 11790]

i have a similiar problem. a friend wants some shots ofhwe children and although i have ideas the pressure of someone elses expectations are killing me

am infact delaying the matter until i can no longer

 

[Leedsforever]

i have a similiar problem. a friend wants some shots ofhwe children and although i have ideas the pressure of someone elses expectations are killing me

am infact delaying the matter until i can no longer

Im doing it tomorrow... lol...

 

[KIPAX]

i have a similiar problem. a friend wants some shots ofhwe children and although i have ideas the pressure of someone elses expectations are killing me

am infact delaying the matter until i can no longer

I hope no one asks you to do a wedding then

 

[foggy4ever]

Good luck, at least you know the little girl so she should be relaxed.

 

[AliB]

Oh Kipax, give over!

I did my first proper kids shoot a few weeks ago, three of them 20 months, 6 and 11. So three really quite different ages, at once. lol

Just relax. Seriously if you are tense the kids pick up on it so just keep the camera with you for a little while, have a cuppa, relax and just watch them. Find out the things they like to do and basically STALK THEM Oh dear, that came out loud.

I had a blast with mine, I lay on the road and had them ride bikes at my head, they thought that was cool so I got off to a good start. I played basketball with them and Dad was throwing a ball around with them. We then went indoors and I just watched tham again, let them play on their Ds, watch the TV play on a laptop. Again just environmental stuff. Finished off with some fun in the garden.

Don't try to force kids into an unatural enviroment if you are doing it in their home, play with them, it's fun and get down to their level, wherever it is.

Hope that's of use to you.

 

[jeniveeev]

hi - just to say ive been in the same situation and i would just like to share my experiences. I photograph my kids ALL the time so im used to them and them with me. the most valuable experience ive had so far is other peoples children.

I personally dont like shooting in the kids own environment/territory....they get bored super quick. Take them to a park, or somewhere away from their home, its interesting and new for them. Also try to interact with them, silly things like asking them to "make a cake with some leaves"!! daft, it worked for me. ask them to go and collect twigs to stack them up, adding leaves or whatever! I did this as we walked from car to park. it gets their attention.

Also, ask the parents not to continually interupt or call to the kids (i.e. do this/that), i came home from a shoot and without realising the kids were looking at the mum who was behind my left shoulder....i thought they were looking at the camera, nope they were fixed on her....result was lots of images of kids looking elsewhere and no eye contact!!

Finally, shoot as quickly as possible, the window of attention span is max 40 mins then the crying starts!! lol.

most of all have fun, and good luck
J
p.s. footnote - do it the shoot early/mid morning, otherwise they get hungry or tired!