Picture Making and Rule Breaking: Simple Tips for Sweet Subjects

One of my favorite subjects to photograph is children. Who can say if it's simply because I've gained more experience with child subjects in the last couple years? Or because I've been working as a nanny for a while? Or because I love a near impossible challenge like getting two toddlers in one frame with zero tears? Whether you're a professional photographer, a hobbyist, or a parent, you know getting a decent picture of a young child is indeed challenging, if not maddening. Now, baby-babies are somewhat of an exception because they're immobile, but one of the first things I learned about photographing children is patience. I usually need to take 20 pictures to get one decent photo, 50 pictures to get one good photo, and 80-100 pictures to get one great photo. For instance, I took weeks of pictures to get 12 good ones to display at my senior art show in college. There may be two or three that I consider great, but I've learned a lot since then. (I was a graphic design major and never took a single photography class in college because I wanted to keep photography a hobby that I could enjoy, but I really wanted to do photography for my senior show, so I went with Digital Black and White Child Photography.)

Here are the photos I displayed in my senior show:

Aren't they beautiful kids? I got to be a nanny to the babies (in case you didn't notice, there are three!) The other kids are a few of my cousins, who were willing, cooperative, lovely models--and I was very thankful.

I'm not writing this blog just to show off...hehe. I want to share some tips and tricks that I've learned about photographing children. In the last year I've been fortunate that a couple of my cousins asked me to photograph their kids, and I was chasing TWINS for over a year (more victims from my days as a nanny).

My main goal is to generally keep things sweet and simple. With kids, you want them to be the focus with as few distracting elements in the photo as possible. Try this:

1. Get down on their level. If you've been snapping shots from five or six feet up all this time, you'll be amazed at the difference in your photos from two or three feet. Don't be afraid to get those knees dirty. (chances are you'll be doing the rugrat's laundry anyway, right?)

2. Get close up and fill the frame (viewfinder or screen) with your subject. Cut out as much unnecessary background stuff as you can. It's visual clutter. Of course you can crop your photos later if you can't make the commitment to get close up when you're shooting. Don't always be concerned with not cutting off the arms or feet. Try doing extreme close-ups (macro) of the child's feet, lips--all those adorable teeny features that make them so cute. An important tip to make sure the child is the clear focal point is to use a large aperture for a small depth of field which will essentially blur the background images and drastically enhance your photo from snapshot to photograph.

3. Be patient, not forceful! You may have a perfect composition in mind, but babies..toddlers..they've never heard of composition. If you try too hard to make them do something, they're just going to get upset. End of photo shoot. Go with the flow, and understand that some days are good and some aren't.

Don't make them do this.

"It's OK sister."

"It's OK brother."

4. Use props such as their favorite belongings like a tea set, or mommy's necklace, daddy's hat, a flower, a scarf, Halloween costumes...they'll bump the "cute factor" way up.

5. Focus on the eyes. In the majority of your photos, it will be crucial to have the eyes clearly in focus. You want them to pop.

Isn't she a pretty girl?

6. Sit back and observe. Sometimes the best way to get natural photos is to just let them do what they do. Follow them around and try not to be too conspicuous. Let them have fun!

7. Use simple backgrounds and clothing when possible. Remember that you want the kid to be the focus. If you're setting up a backdrop, try draping some curtains or blankets over the back of a couch or a drying rack. Try to avoid clothing with words or characters on it. Babies are cutest in their birthday suits!

8. Consider black and white or spot color. Especially when you have a photo that you like, but the color is all wrong, change it to black and white. It can completely soften the emotional tone of the photograph or introduce innocence that wasn't present in color. Spot color (when the picture is black and white except for an object or two in color) can be a fun twist too. Make sure to bump up the contrast when you go black and white. I like to use gradient map in Photoshop to make the transition.

9. Use only natural light when possible. If you're taking indoor photos, position your subject by the window. Flash is too harsh for those dear little features. And bright sunshine causes squinting, so try outdoor photos on an overcast day.

10. Get Creative. Try a new perspective other than straight on. Tilt your camera, compose the photo with asymmetrical balance, or objects in the foreground...break the rules!

11. Let your photos be honest. Kids cry; they're not always cooperative. Hair blows in their eyes, knees get muddy...a perfect photo is rare so learn to enjoy the imperfections.