In general photographing children requires a different approach to photographing adults.
Here are a few ideas on how to make the best portraits outside the studio (in no particular order):
1. The eyes have it
In general it is most striking when eyes are in focus, we respond strongly to eyes in general but children’s eyes carry extra punch melding the biological impulses to nurture with an openness and curiosity that is rare after a certain age. I do also find that focus on the mouth with the rest of the face blurred can be an interesting compositional style.
2. Perspective
It is too easy to just take a photo from our normal vantage point but there are many interesting possibilities by changing your position. The eye is used to seeing a child from above, so a photo at the child’s level or from below is immediately arresting. Try and vary your perspective, you’ll be surprised at how this transforms a picture.
3. Look behind you
Keep a close eye on what is in the background, a rogue element can damage the flow and feel of a photo. It is in general a good idea to clear away all clutter and consider the general mid and background of a picture. Doing this well with a fast moving child is not easy but with preparation and awareness you can certainly minimise its impact.
4. Get closer in
Leading on from number 3, if the environment is not adding to the photo then frame the shot closer. Moving or zooming in closer will make a huge difference to the final image.
5. Light is life
In photography light is everything. The sweetest light is sunlight (not direct), the worst light is from a flash directly from your camera. If possible take photos near a window or reflecting natural light against a light wall. This will diffuse and distribute the light in a pleasing manner. In doing so you can use faster shutter speeds and are less likely to get a blurring mass of child zipping around.
The nature and use of light is one of the toughest skills to master in photography. Understanding the role of light just a little will really improve photos however.
6. Children are not just smiles
As someone providing making portraits for money I am acutely aware of the types of photos that are considered desirable and saleable.
However it can become easy to misrepresent children and minimise the richness and diversity of their existence. They aren’t just cute smiles and grins (wonderful as they are). They are tears, tantrums, thoughtful, sleepy, overtired, excitable, manic, considered, confused, worried and a myriad of other states.
I love to capture them all as they represent something complete and real. I love the intelligence of children, it may be within a restricted framework relative to our understanding but it is nonetheless complex and deep.
It is important to capture these moods and states, they are a true gift of memory.
7. Slow shutter speeds are not an option
This ties in with 5 and applies mainly to younger kids, photographing children is like photographing birds. They move and they move fast. You need a fast shutter. If you get them when they are chilled you have some leeway but otherwise if you are getting blurred shots, make the shutter faster and compensate either with a wider aperture, more light or higher ISO.
That is plenty to get on with, hopefully this helps. A number of of these are dependent on the camera you have but the compositional elements are certainly applicable by all.
Have fun and drop me a line if you have any questions.
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