People automatically assume that when I get a really good shot of my child(ren) it's because my kids have been in Mommy-modeling-training for 3012+ days of their lives. In all honesty, I have TRIED to train them....but it involved a lot of bribery, sweat, eye rolling, screaming, bribery, kleenex, yelling, pleading, and more bribery. I would come home exhausted with 2 kids on a sugar high (from the aforementioned bribery) and with a few photos of my kids with fake smiles plastered on their face. Those days quickly wore out their welcome.
So instead of me training my kids, my kids began to train me. If I wanted to capture the true essence of them (in my opinion what a good photograph SHOULD do) then I needed to be patient and quick. I have found that some of my absolute FAVORITE photos have come about from keeping the lens pointed at them, my finger on the trigger, and following them around in "their world."
A perfect example of this is from a trip to the park last week. I was hovering over my son as he was throwing bread into the lake for the ducks. After one of the ducks gobbled up the bread, he looked up at me with a satisfied grin.
On the same day, I was teasing my daughter about a little boy that seemed to have his "eye" on her. (Seven year olds don't like to discuss BOYS.) She shot me this smirky grin with her hand on her hip.
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*******CHALLENGE OF THE DAY***************
I want to hear your funniest, most mortifying, or most horrific portrait session experiences with your kiddos. Please leave a comment on the blog so we can all share in your story!!!
What a lovely post and such great advice. When I was trying to find my photography niche, I toyed with the idea of childrens photography, but as someone who doesn't have children, that was quickly crossed off the list.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when I'm at social outings or doing family portraits for Christmas, kids are part of the package and I find that the best pictures I've gotten were spontaneous. My favorite one is of a couple's son doing rabbit ears behind them.
I never put it together why these pictures worked when others didn't until you explained it perfectly here. Thank you!
For 5 years, hubby and I had a fulltime photography biz. We set a mobile studio up for daycare, homeschool co-ops, preschools and more. We had some very interesting adventures! I will say that you do have to get creative in getting *real* smiles from kids of all ages. I got pretty good at engaging the kids and making them feel comfortable.
ReplyDeleteYoungest daughter is now starting her own biz. She dles things differently. She shoots outdoors only, has the kids *do* something. Less posed, more natural. She has gotten some GREAT shots.
Bernice
My most challenging photo shoot was when my friend had the brilliant idea to have us take our infants and toddlers (all four women and our total of 9 kids) to take a picture together at a studio. The oldest was 6, I believe, with most being 3 and under. Now, THAT was a challenge...I was happy most were at least looking in the direction of the camera!
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