Whether we're talking about a 6-month-old or a 4-year-old or a 10-year-old, there are some things you need to know before you start photographing them. They're a special little group that needs extra care. If you're reading this then you probably think you'll be photographing some children soon so I hope these tips help you along your journey.
Before The Shoot
Tip #1: Be prepared.
Make yourself a checklist. I have one that I use every time I go on a photoshoot. I just add or subtract a few things depending on what kind it is. Double check that all of your batteries are charged.
Tip #2: Make sure you have everything you need.
Most adults are impatient and children are even less patient than them so make sure you don't have to go back to your house, studio, or car to get an extra battery, memory card, or lens. It's helpful to have some kind of bag (or dare I say, fanny pack) so that you have everything you need within reach.
Tip #3: Bring more than you need.
Sometimes you think you know what direction the shoot is going to go in and then the parents surprise you with a random prop they want to use and nothing you were planning to do would look good with it. If you're going to their house (or outside somewhere) make sure you keep a bin in your car of things you might need (but probably won't-like blankets, props, backdrops, etc.) and talk to the parents before the shoot starts about anything specific they want that they may not have discussed with you previously.
Tip #4: Overprepare.
Make a shot list for yourself with all the ideas you have. Then, add even more ideas. It's better to go into a shoot with 20 ideas for pictures and then only take 8 than to keep trying to come up with new ideas after each idea has been exhausted.
Tip #5: Look up posing ideas on Pinterest.
I LOVE Pinterest. I use it all the time for everything. I'm talking poses, props, recipes, crafts, everything. When in doubt, do a couple searches (like “6-month pictures”, “newborn pictures”, “couples photography”, etc.)
Tip #6: Get your clients to fill out a questionnaire.
I made a post about this a little while ago. You can find it [HERE]. Basically, see if the answer to any questions make you think of new ideas for photos or props that you can use.
Children Tips
Tip #7: Let them get used to the camera.
Let the kid touch it (but be careful). You could even let them take a picture (with you holding the camera). Sometimes kids get nervous around cameras and this helps them get over having a big piece of equipment pointed at them.
Tip #8: Be patient.
Kids sometimes get these crazy bursts of energy. Let them get out all that energy by playing and running around. Sometimes you can even get some good pictures from this. And other times, it just take some time for them to get used to you and the camera. Some kids take a little while to loosten up and not look completely terrified in pictures. The point is, every kid is different so you just have to be patient with them. Most kids aren't going to be perfect models the second they get in front of the camera.
Tip #9: Go quickly.
I know that I just told you to be patient, but once the kid starts being cute or acting just the way you want them to, you have a small window to get all the shots you need. Kids get cranky, and once they're cranky the shoot is done, so when they're good, move fast.
Tip #10: Let kids be themselves.
My son makes the cutest little faces sometimes. So while I love to pose him and get these awesome serious faces or authentic smiles, I love when he makes his faces. Just let the kids be themselves, make their own poses, and give you crazy faces.
Tip #11: Don't tell them to say 'CHEESE'.
This produces terribly unnatural smiles. Most kids actually just look pained. Instead of telling them to say “cheese”, do something funny, make some noises, have them tell you a joke.
Tip #12: Go to THEIR house.
The fact that the surroundings are familiar will help to put them at ease. Plus you have the added bonus of props EVERYWHERE with all the toys that are inevitably lying around.
Tip #13: Include siblings.
Sometimes brothers and sisters can calm down the subject or make them feel more comfortable. Also, it's always good to have pictures of all the kids as they grow up.
Tip #14: Take a drink/snack break.
Sometimes kids just need to step back for a second, refuel, and then they're ready to go again.
Tip #15: Be safe.
Never make a kid do something dangerous. Even things that might not seem overly dangerous to you. It's probably not a great idea to have an unsteady child on a tall chair or really any child up high.
Tip #16: Tell the parents to speak up.
Sometimes parents are a little iffy about saying things to a photographer because they don't want to affend you or they think that you know what you're doing (not that you don't), but you need to tell them in the beginning to speak up if they have any concerns or ideas. It's always good to have a second opinion. However, if you think it's going to be a great shot and they don't, take one to show them and if they don't like it, move on.
Tip #17: Act silly.
You might feel weird doing this, but trust me, if you can get a kid to laugh by making some silly faces and/or noises, your pictures will turn out so much better.
Tip #18: Bribe with non-messy candy or treats.
Clearly you need to get the parents' permission before offering anything, but most parents won't have any issue with a little treat if it means that the pictures they're spending all their hard earned money on turn out great. Some good examples of treats to use would be: mini marshmallows, cheerios, . Some treats to avoid would be: suckers, anything that will change the color of their tongue, chocolate (it melts), etc.
Tip #19: Have fun.
This is very important. If you're getting frustrated and not having any fun, the kids will notice and they'll get frustrated, not have any fun, and the pictures will turn out terrible.
Photography Tips
Tip #20: Get close ups.
It's always good for parents to have close ups of their kids.
Tip #21: Take pictures during magic hour.
There is an app that you can get on the iTunes App Store called Magic Hour by elfinda apps for FREE. It's very helpful. I definitely suggest using it.
Tip #22: Try some black and white.
Keep this in mind when you take some pictures. You can always make your pictures black and white in post processing, but if you want any of them to look good, you might want to have a very simple background.
Tip #23: Outdoor is natural.
I feel that sometimes, backdrops and props can seem too posed and fake. And if you're inside without backdrops and props, pictures can sometimes seem cheap. Clearly, everything can be done with good taste, but for the most natural pictures (in my opinion) just take a little stroll outside.
Tip #24: When inside, find the light.
I always try to look for rooms with large windows, preferably facing north or south. These usually come in the form of sliding glass doors to the backyard or a glass storm door. You get great light coming through and you can pull out some cool silhouettes or you stand by the door and there's great light on the kid's face.
Tip #25: The rule of thirds.
I'm sure that if you're reading this, you know what the rule of thirds is. However, if you don't, it's when you use the 9 square grid on your camera and place your subject along one of the lines or their face on one of the intersecting dots.
Tip #26: Don't be afraid to break the rules.
There are so many 'rules' out there for photographers that are supposed to make your photographs look 'amazing'. And I'm sure that if you follow all the rules, you're pictures will be great, but sometimes you can take them to a-whole-nother level if you just break some rules.
Tip #27: Cloudy days are amazing.
Don't think that just because it's cloudy outside, you can't take amazing pictures. In fact, I actually prefer cloudy days. There is still plenty of light and you get the added bonus of no weird shadows that you have to watch out for or squinty eyes.
Tip #28: Work with the weather.
Going with the previous tip, sometimes you just have to work with the weather you're given. If it's snowing or raining, you just have to rethink your strategy. Kids look adorable wearing rain boots, holding an umbrella, and jumping in puddles. If there's a ton of snow on the ground, have the kid throw snow at you! They'll be laughing and you'll get great smiles.
Tip #29: Check the background.
I hate to admit this, but I took a picture one time and in the corner was a pooping dog. Gross. Thankfully, I was able to crop him out. I wasn't so lucky another time when I was photographing a Mayan temple. There was a man wearing a bright pink Speedo standing off to the side, but close enough that if I cropped him out, it would cut off part of the temple. Horrible. Basically, make sure there aren't any trash cans, cars, animals, etc. in your background before taking the picture.
Tip #30: If you have to shoot during sunny midday, shoot in the shadows.
Go to the other side of the tree and hide the sun behind it. Find a shadowy area that doesn't have any bright spots. Go to other side of a shed or barn or house so that you can't see the sun. The sun causes a lot of trouble for photography so unless you're trying to get weird shadows on faces or squinty looks or silhouettes, get out of the sun.
Posing/Prop Ideas
Tip #31: For birthdays, get balloons.
How can you go wrong with a kid holding some ballons. They could be sitting in a chair or walking down the street. Or you could tie them to something.
Tip #32: Get pets involved.
This really only works with young puppies or older dogs that know how to be calm. High energy pets always turn out kind of weird looking. However, the cute, calm dog cuddled up with a kid is so freaking adorable, I can't even handle it.
Tip #33: Trees make great props...or backdrops.
I love having kids peak around trees, lean up against trees, or pose in front of them, using them as a backdrop. This works especially good if you have evergreen trees or a large group of trees (like a small forest or wooded area).
Tip #34: Have the child (or someone else) throw confetti.
I suggest doing this outside. They can have a small pile in their hands and then blow it at you. Or someone else could throw it in the air and pretend like it's rain falling down on them. But please don't do this inside. Glitter never goes away. It will be 2 years later and you're still finding glitter all over the place.
Tip #35: Get a bubble machine.
I love bubble machines so much! And so do kids. Kids love bubbles. It's just a fact of life. And bubbles photograph pretty well. And honestly, unless you have 5 people all blowing bubbles at the same time, your picture will only have a couple bubbles in them so just invest in a cheap little bubble machine.
Tip #36: Save the cake for last.
I'm talking about the very popular picture (especially for 1-year pictures) where you basically stick a small cake in front of the kid and just let them go to town on it. It's very cute, but you definitely need to wait until the very end to bring out the cake. They will get SO messy and the area you're taking pictures in will take a while to clean up. (Unless you're doing the tub pictures afterward. Have you seen these? They're outside, in a steel tub and it looks like the kid is taking a bubble bath. You can also use the previous tip I gave you and use a bubble machine to add some bubbles. Adorable!)
Tip #37: Stuffed animals make great props.
Kids love their stuffed animals. You can use just one or you could use a whole group of them. There are so many cute examples out there.
Tip #38: You can never go wrong with a young child laughing at himself in a mirror.
I don't know what it is about a child and his/her reflection. They must think they're pretty funny looking. Anyway, I love the pictures outside, with a mirror on the ground and a child laying on top of the mirror, looking at their reflection. On a nice sunny day, you get that great sky in the mirror.
Tip #39: Poses for seniors sometimes work for kids.
It may seem silly, but when kids wear clothes that look good on adults and pose like adults, they're like little mini version of our adult selves and it somehow works. It actually turns out pretty freaking adorable.
Tip #40: Go casual.
Don't just do the posed, formal shots. Try out some casual 'poses' with the kids dancing, playing, and laughing.
Tip #41: Wear parents clothes.
Somehow it works: little kids in things that are way too big for them. It gives a nice little connection between mother and daughter when the daughter wears her long necklaces, shoes, hats, sunglasses, etc. And it works for fathers and sons with the sons wearing shoes, ties, hats, a jersey, etc.
Tip #42: If you use a tie as a prop, make sure you don't make the knot too big.
It looks bad. The first time I did this, I was photographing my nephew and the first knot we made in the tie was your average sized knot for an adult and it looked HUGE next the baby's little head. We just moved to the skinnier end of the tie and made a smaller knot. It worked great.
Tip #43: Even blankets make good props.
You can lay them down and have kids lay on top of them. They can wrap themselves in the blanket. You can use them inside or outside. Blankets can basically used for anything!
Tip #44: For boys, sports are always good.
You can always incorporate sports (for girls, too). It's pretty easy to just throw in a football or a baseball mitt and ball. Ask the parents ahead of time what kind of sports, if any, they're into and plan accordingly.
Tip #45: For girls, ballerinas are beautiful.
This is a pretty specific thing, but I've always wanted to photograph a little ballerina. If you're able to, photographing in a dance studio is amazing. There are tons of mirrors and you can basically just ask them what they've learned while in dance class and have them show you. Don't forget to get some shots at the bar. If you can't get into a dance studio, taking dance photos outside can be beautiful as well. Just picture it, a little girl, her hair in a bun, wearing a pink leotard, white tights, and a pink tutu in first position doing a pliet in a gazebo overlooking the water. Ok, ok, I'm done. Just know it's an option for you.
After The Shoot
Tip #46: It's okay to edit...a little.
Please don't go overboard. When you're doing photos for someone else, especially when you're photographing children, people want to see them. They don't want to see some crazy edited version of them where you barely recognize the child. Leave those for the pageant kids. Also, parents don't want to see the newest thing you just learned (and probably haven't perfected yet) on all their pictures. My suggestion is this: If you're going to try something new or do some crazy edit, please give the parents the option of both. Show them the original (or the one with minor edits) as well as the edited one.
Tip #47: Put together a nice bag if you hand deliver or they pick up.
This doesn't have to be anything fancy. And it doesn't require a lot of money. You can buy cheap, plain gift bags online (or even at a dollar store). Add a little filling in the bottom, put their disc of pictures or flashdrive in there, any prints or products they ordered, any paperwork they need (photo release), and the things I mention in the next 4 tips. Then, tie the top with some ribbon. If you have any stickers that have your logo on them, slap it on the front. I think a nice presentation of your product really says a lot about your business.
Tip #48: Put something personal in the bag for the child.
This doesn't have to be anything fancy. If they loved the bubble machine, add a little thing of bubbles (which you can buy at Dollar Tree for 3/$1). Maybe the child said something specific that they loved. Candy or food is always good. Maybe they shared a favorite snack with you. Or maybe they put something on their questionnaire that would help. Or you could just buy a bunch of necklaces for the girls and cars for the boys and just keep them on hand.
Tip #49: Add a sheet of prices to the bag for prints and other products.
No matter whether your client just wants the disc with some pictures on it or they order prints, they may want to buy something else later. So just in case, add a sheet that has your prices on there. That way, it'll be in their mind when they're going through their gift bag.
Tip #50: Think about doing referral cards.
I haven't personally tried this out, but I know it's worked for others. You could do something as simple as something that looks like a business cards with your logo at the top and “I was referred by _______” so that you can write in your client's name. Then, add a note that says for every referral I receive from you, you will receive 10% off your next 1 hour photoshoot. Or you could offer free prints. You could offer ANYTHING really.
Tip #51: Write your client a thank you note.
I really think this shows your clients how much you appreciate their business. I always take time to thank my clients. I want repeat business and they're not going to come back if they don't feel loved.
Other Tips
Tip #52: Bring a sample book for poses and locations.
I like to print off photos of my favorite poses and locations that I've done. Then, I pick out the ones that I think are feasable with the client I am meeting and put them in a little photo album. Then, I label the locations and have my clients look at the books at the beginning to see if there's anything they're really responding to.
Tip #53: Don't waste time.
Shoot while the parents are looking through poses and locations. Don't just make the kids wait. This is when they'll get cranky: when they have nothing to do.
Tip #54: Always overdeliver. Never underdeliver.
Promise the client you'll give them 2 locations and go to 3. Promise that you'll have time for 2 outfits (but tell them to bring 4 or 5) and do 3. Promise them they get 15 pictures on a disc and give them 20. You don't have to do this, of course. You could give them exactly what you promise them. But whatever you decide to do, don't promise them that you can do 2 locations, 2 outfits, and 15 pictures on a disc and give them 1 location, 1 outfit, and only 10 of the 15 pictures you give them are print worthy. You'll never get good reviews online or repeat business with those ethics.
Tip #55: Enjoy what you do.
If you're not having fun or you just get frustrated or you're just going through the motions, just stop. Photography is one of those jobs that you do because you love it. You don't just do it because you're good at it. You certainly don't do it for the money. You do it because it's your passion and you can't imagine doing anything else so if you don't love it. It's time for you to move on. Or maybe you should stop photographing what you're currently photographing and go on vacation. That could just mean 5 miles east or something. Go somewhere you haven't shot already a thousand times and rediscover why you started doing this in the first place. Not everyone is lucky enough to do what they love every day. You can. So do it!
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