Photographing Children

One of the more difficult tasks a photographer has is photographing children, particularly young children.

I had a job last week where I photographed four children and it went great. The children were old enough that they were able to sit still in front of the camera and pay attention — even the 4-year-old. But I have had experiences in the past when this was not the case. Younger children, primarily toddlers, apparently don’t know what a camera is and what it’s for. It can be extremely challenging getting good photos of these children. They are squirmy. They don’t pay attention. They don’t listen to instructions. What is a photographer to do when a parent has paid said photographer to get some great shots of this child?

Here are some tips for taking photos of children.

1. First of all, don’t tell the child to smile for the camera. Don’t say “cheese” expecting a great facial expression. Do either one of these things and you are bound to get that child to demonstrate a fake smile that no one wants. I found the best way to get the child into the proper pose is to talk to them while shooting. Or have a parent talk to them. Granted, this may not do the trick but it’s the best thing to try to get that child into a natural looking facial expression.

2. Try to act as normally as possible. I know you have a camera stuck in front of your face, but try to act as if it’s no big deal. Don’t get the child frightened or excited but rather try to get him or her to chill out. Be patient. Don’t tell the child continually to look at the camera or stand up or sit down. Eventually you will get your subject to behave as you wish. Sometimes the best photos are when a child isn’t looking at the camera or doing what you want.

3. If possible, be as far away from the child as possible. Get out your long lens if you have one and back up. If you’re not in the child’s space, you may be more likely to get that child acting naturally without misbehavior and fake smiles. Make sure, though, that you are close enough to get the shot you want. If you want just the child’s face, you’re going to have to get closer. Again, just be calm and patient and wait for the right moment.

4. Take a lot of photos. You don’t have to do the so-called “spray and pray,” but keep shooting to try to capture that expression you really want. There’s bound to be one of them that will work well for what you want.