One of the most challenging subjects to photograph is children. You want to get memorable shots, but the resulting pictures too often fall into one of two disastrous camps: a series of out-of-focus blurs of hyperactive kids bouncing off the walls like charged electrons or, perhaps even worse, unnaturally serious kids, warned to behave and, consequently, unwilling to show anything more than a serious pout or nervous grin.
Pekka Saarinen, a professional photographer based in Helsinki, has written a wonderful essay entitled “Getting Kids on CCD: Portraits”, which we’ve linked to on the Photobird Learning Center. In the essay, Pekka details a tried-and-true process that includes steps which, when read, have the ring of truth of common sense, such as this zinger: first, get to know your subjects. Pekka advises playing with your subjects at their level and introducing the camera into their play, keeping things light by using the camera as an instrument for humor.
After your subjects have become accustomed to the camera, Pekka advises straight talk: tell them exactly what you want to do and what level of cooperation you’ll need from them in order to be successful, such as “staying very still when the photo is taken”. Pekka advises incorporating small-talk into the photography session and including the child’s toys as a way to displace their natural nervousness. If you can, get the rest of the family behind you or out of the room, shoot from the child’s height, and try to keep the background simple.
Oh, and Pekka also advises not to overdo it. Remember these are just kids we’re talking about here. You should stop after you sense the child is growing weary; otherwise, they will become less cooperative subjects the next time you want to take pictures of them.
When photographing your kids, do you have any tried-and-true tips you can share with Photobird readers that have worked well for you?
