When people want to continue their career in photography, they look for subjects. These subjects help them to create a portfolio. The closest subject that is available to them is their kids. They can help to complement the growing collection of their life and family. Some photographers’ work is on kids. Some happy and cheerful kids who are perfect for photos.
Some kids love that someone is taking their photos but some are not. It depends on their nature, especially the newborn babies who don’t even know what is happening around them. Also, it is difficult to take photos of a few months’ older kids. But there are various ways of entertaining kids during a photoshoot.
Entertaining Kids During A Photoshoot
Become Friends
Even if the parents are paying for the photoshoot, it is the kids who must be convinced to have a successful solo photoshoot or family photoshoot. After a little greeting to the parents, become playmates as soon as possible after meeting the kids. You have to get on their level and introduce yourself directly to the little ones. Also, tell them everything you are going to have fun with.
Even if the parents pay the cost of the photoshoot, it is the children who must be convinced to have a successful family or child photoshoot. After a little hello to the parents, become a playmate as soon as possible after meeting the kids. Get on their level, introduce yourself directly to the little ones, and tell them everything you are going to have fun with.
Let Them Be
One of the best ways to photograph kids is when they don’t know that you are there. If you can be invisible near them, then taking photos of kids while they are playing are the best shots you can take. It is because they are completely immersed in an activity and they don’t realize that anyone is taking their photos. Also, pretend that they are not even in your viewer.
A quiet Mode is a great option because it makes little ears less likely to notice that how many times you have clicked the shutter. Sometimes, a test shot is because of a goalie.
Be Silly
Kids love adults who are as stupid as they are. You can have simple, age-appropriate jokes to tell, complain about how your kids made you finish their carrots for lunch, and make them go to bed early. Also, get ready to emulate some of the underage favorite characters. You can ask parents ahead of time for any game or song that makes their kids laugh.
Download apps that make funny noises and practice them using them from your pocket. Also, you can make parents stand behind you so that the kid looks directly at the camera or make funny expressions.
Have Secrets
Kids love to have secrets from their parents. You can earn their trust and let them have fun by having fun secrets between them and you. If you know that their parents are going to take them out for ice cream or pick out a toy after the photoshoot, then ask the parents to let you share a secret with the kids during the photo shoot. It helps to cool off the kids and they give a natural smile.
At any time of the year, ask the children what they hope their parents give them for Christmas or Birthday and promise not to say anything. Kids love to cheat or play tricks on their parents. For this purpose, make parents sit and say out loud that you are taking a portrait of a couple.
On the other hand, play a prank on parents using the kids that they run towards them and tickle them or do silly things. As a result, a successful family photo can be clicked.
Have A Friend On Camera
The camera can intimidate young children. On the other hand, the parents can take pictures of them all the time with their phones. It might be their first time to see a DSLR. You can solve this problem quickly by telling them that a friend lives in your camera. Ask the kids to occasionally look for your friend. As a result, they make good eye contact with the camera.
You can consider buying an inexpensive accessory for kids’ photoshoots such as a shutter hugger that is of some cartoon character or any stuffed toy. As a result, the kids will turn to watch their favorite cartoon or stuffed toy while looking at the camera.
Create A Positive Vibe
It is an extremely important point that most reluctant children to cooperate want to be the good kid. Make sure that you recognize all the good things in a kid. Once you know, you can say positive things like you love the way they pose for the camera. On the other hand, you can call them nicknames such as rockstar, handsome, gorgeous, beautiful, etc.
When you continue to encourage them with positive feedback, the photoshoot will be more fun and a great experience for them.
Location Matters
If you take the kids to the studio for a photo shoot, you will see their faces hanging down. Studios are not the natural environment for children. They tend to unite there and that is the opposite of what of want. They need a free space where they can run or at least take a walk or move around freely. While deciding the location for the kid’s photoshoot, choose a place where they can play.
Ideally, choose a location that has enough space where kids can do their activities. It helps you to take natural photos. It is because when you give flexibility to the children, they will be happier to have their photos taken.
Play Copycat Trick
To have a copycat trick, you must strike a pose and have the kids do the same. Include some fun poses and tell them that they are cool in this game. It encourages them to play more and as a result, you will be able to take better photos in different poses.
On the other hand, you can make funny faces and ask them to copy them. When they make such faces, keep your camera ready and take a photo. Playing a copycat trick is one of the best and helping tricks to take the best photos of the kids.
Kid’s Photoshoot – Tip and Tricks
In general, kids don’t like photo shoots. They see it as a chore that their parents force them to do. They would rather spend their time playing rather than getting dressed and sitting in the same position for a photoshoot. Also, they don’t want to smile for hours. It is the responsibility of the photographer to make the photoshoot fun for them. On the other hand, the main thing is to know the kids.
When you first meet the kids, they take you as an adult giving them orders. So, you have to change this perspective of theirs. Then you have to bond with them so that they trust you and feel comfortable around you. Also, you can comment on their dress and poses or use a stuffed toy to be attracted towards you. By doing all this, you will be taking perfect photos of the kids, even if they are reluctant about it.