Let’s face it, most kids really couldn’t care less about having their picture taken. Chances are they would rather be playing with your family dog, kicking a ball or exploring your kitchen drawers Having photographed lots of kids (of different ages) I have am 100% sure that telling a little kid that his mommy wants a pretty smile for the camera or that Granny wants to put this photo on the wall will definitely not entice them to smile. Photographing kids means you need to “get into their head” and think like them. (scary but true)  You need to make your shoot fun and exciting so that it’s more like an adventure than a chore…

Here are a few pointers which have worked really well for me in the past:

1. Get them involved.

If you have been in close contact with your toddler recently you will have realised that they are all about exploring new things and playing games.   So instead of plonking them down in front of the camera and asking them to smile involve them in a game like pulling funny faces (subjects almost always react to their photographer, if you smile a lot you put your subject at ease and it will most likely make them return your smile – which is when you will snap your shot)  Tickle them, put some of their favourite music on and ask them if they would dance with mommy or daddy.  Get someone to hold them upside down by their feet or throw them into the air.  All of this goes a long way towards capturing an award winning smile.  In other words give them a reason to smile…

2. Be quick!

Kids are constantly on the move and unless you know some  kind of serious magic your subject probably isn’t going to sit still for very long! Remember that in this digital age we have the freedom of shooting hundreds of photos (literally) and deleting the unwanted ones later so keep your finger on that shutter button and use it. I know lots of kids’s first reaction to a camera is to pull a funny face (which can be just as precious as a solemn pensive shot) so shoot away and only review afterwards.

3. Don’t make the mistake of thinking your “shoot” is going to be quick and easy

One tip on photographing your kids I can give you even before you attempt to switch your camera on is to have patience and make sure you’ve got a lot of time. You are most likely only get “that award winning shot” somewhere later on in your shoot.  So take your time and give your subject (which is of course your little angel) some time to get accustomed to his environment and explore the space.  Sit back and watch them but never take your finger off that shutter button. 

4. Choose your equipment wisely.

Don’t even waste your time with trying to use your tripod when photographing your kids as it is only going to be in your way.There’s no need for a tripod when you’re photographing children.   Also, make sure beforehand that your equipment is fully prepared before you even take your child outside for their photos. I promise you that by the time you have swopped the batteries and the memory card your kid will have been borede to death and have vanished into thin air.

5. Get on your knees and shoot on their level.

I know you have probably heard this a million times before but that’s only because it works so well.  Getting down onto their level will make them feel more comfortable around you.  Photographing a child from a standing position makes the child look ”helpless” and like you are in a dominating position and vice versa if you shoot from a low angle like lying down on the floor and shooting up at them they will look larger than life (President’s usually get their photos taken like this as it implies power)  Try to shoot a little bit of everything until you have developed a knack for it, take a few full body shots, a few close ups and even a few half shots. 

6. Lastly, always finish on a good note.

Once you have finished photographing your kiddie it is a good idea to finish it on a high note like giving them a sucker or allowing them to take some photos of mommy or daddy (with your help of course)  This just rounds off their shoot and makes them want to “do it again” PS-always be prepared for the unprepared!  Riani