Successful Child Portraits: Everyone leaves happy
Posted on January 2, 2010
Filed Under Digital Camera Features, Good Digital Cameras |
I thoroughly enjoy shooting kids, especially when a parent announces that their child won’t sit for a good portrait. When my portrait session is over, the parent and the child leave happy; the child had fun and the parent has a good selection of images. Here are a few key learnings that were gleaned from children Brisbane portrait photography sessions:
1) Established Prioritized Goals
Talk to the parent(s) about what they are looking for and if they’ve had bad photo sessions in the past, learn what they think went wrong. Prioritize the goals so you have done the most important shots by the end of the shoot, but you don’t expect to shoot in prioritized order.
2) Prepare Fully
Bring the subjects in only when you are ready to shoot. Give your subject(s) a break and let them wander when you get ready. Get the technical side set (White balance, lighting, exposure, sets, props, etc) so you and your equipment are ready for that optimal shot. You still need to learn to setup quickly, just don’t begin shooting your younger subjects until you are ready or you’ll lose their attention prematurely.
3) Maintain Control
You’ve learned what works and what doesn’t, so don’t let the parent dictate the sequence of the shoot. Listen to suggestions, but keep in mind what works and what doesn’t. Often times the correct sequence is counter-intuitive to your client.
- Start simple and build in complexity from there
- Organize the sets based on the subject’s readiness
- Communicate your reasoning behind the sequence with the parent(s)
4) Warm-up:
Tell the parent(s) to let the child roam on and off the set; present some props to the child to play with, but let the child warm-up to you, the setting, and the idea of being photographed. Get down on their level, sit on the floor and talk to them. Win them over!
5) Keep Your Subjects Involved
Ask the child to help you setup, ask them to retrieve a prop, have the child press the shutter for one or two shots, and show them their pictures on the camera. Feed your subject genuine praise and encourage them. At the end of the section, sit down with the child and show them the images on the computer.If you want to know something about Brisbane wedding photography and Brisbane portrait photographer ,click on the links in this article.
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