I lost my internet connection up at the lake for a couple of days, so I apologize if there's anyone who has already come to expect daily updates on this blog (here's hoping anyway!). But I did a little work anyway, to tie in with my upcoming mini-sessions promotion. So have a read and maybe it will help to answer some questions or concerns you may have about getting pictures of your kids.
Children Might Need a Take 2.
Children. The apple of your eye. The light of your life. The demon inside a small version of an adult that can morph from your little prince/princess into a completely unrecognizable monster the second the photographer says “Say cheese!”
Full disclosure: I have no children. However, that said, having been a kid once and observed my family and friends who do have children, I like to think I might have some insights to share. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you how to parent your kids, and I’m not saying that I should be raising children (I’m quite certain I would end up raising either the most rebellious child this side of The Omen or a complete bubble child) but that said, there are some ways to maximize the potential to have a successful photo session with children.
Children are the bosses. And sometimes, it’s best not to fight this. Not that I am in any way advocating letting the children make the decisions as a rule, but when it comes to children’s photography, sessions can be hampered by several circumstances.
One thing I’ve seen on more than one occasion is that a session might start out happily enough, but when things start to go sideways, parents start getting louder as they grow more frustrated which magnifies the kids’ frustration, compounded by their lack of understanding as to why they have to sit there and have a stranger point a lens in their face.
Generally with child photography you and the photographer are interested in capturing the youth, playfulness and innocence of the child, maybe the way the child’s eyes resemble their mother’s or how they have their father’s chin. Or the way the different flecks of colour in their eyes sparkle. But if tempers are flaring and you can’t see the colour in the child’s eyes because they’re squeezed shut, tears flowing as they’re screaming at the top of their lungs... This is an extreme case, obviously, and I’ve never actually had a shoot get to that stage of a melt-down. But just keep in mind, particularly when doing on-location shooting, if the child is starting to act up a bit, sometimes it’s best for everyone to give the child/children a little space and freedom. Skip around, pick flowers (or weeds), run around in circles, chase butterflies. An engaged photographer will likely go with it, following the child with their camera to not only try to get some good candid photos of them, but also to get the kid used to their presence. And if you give them the chance to let some of that energy out, they might be that much more willing to regroup, now with some colour in their cheeks and smiles on their faces when you try again 10-15 minutes later. Suddenly, seated as a group, the child is only too happy to help you all to get a good group photo.
HOWEVER… like with anything, sometimes you need to know when you’re licked. While this isn’t always possible (IE: you’re at a family reunion and everyone is taking off the next morning) sometimes it’s best to step back, realize that things are just not working out for that day, and agree to try again on another day or even just a later hour. Sometimes the kid needs a nap, or to eat or might be over-stimulated depending on what else has been going on so they might need some quiet time. There is no shame in walking away for a time and trying again later. And if the kids who are normally very well behaved are having conniptions, it’s not a bad reflection on you as parents, in fact, better to know your kids and realize they have their limits. And chances are, everyone would be happier with a “Take 2” on the session than forcing the issue, seeing junior’s splotchy red face and tears in his eyes as he struggles, held tightly in your arms as you smile with dead eyes and gritted teeth.
As I am frequently mentioning on this blog, your photographer wants to capture images that make both you and themselves happy – something that you will both be proud to look and show to others for years to come. They will understand. Trust them. They have everyone’s best interests in mind. Where possible, the photographer will most likely be willing to rebook the session to make sure you all walk away from the experience happy.
Children Might Need a Take 2.
Children. The apple of your eye. The light of your life. The demon inside a small version of an adult that can morph from your little prince/princess into a completely unrecognizable monster the second the photographer says “Say cheese!”
Full disclosure: I have no children. However, that said, having been a kid once and observed my family and friends who do have children, I like to think I might have some insights to share. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you how to parent your kids, and I’m not saying that I should be raising children (I’m quite certain I would end up raising either the most rebellious child this side of The Omen or a complete bubble child) but that said, there are some ways to maximize the potential to have a successful photo session with children.
Children are the bosses. And sometimes, it’s best not to fight this. Not that I am in any way advocating letting the children make the decisions as a rule, but when it comes to children’s photography, sessions can be hampered by several circumstances.
One thing I’ve seen on more than one occasion is that a session might start out happily enough, but when things start to go sideways, parents start getting louder as they grow more frustrated which magnifies the kids’ frustration, compounded by their lack of understanding as to why they have to sit there and have a stranger point a lens in their face.
Generally with child photography you and the photographer are interested in capturing the youth, playfulness and innocence of the child, maybe the way the child’s eyes resemble their mother’s or how they have their father’s chin. Or the way the different flecks of colour in their eyes sparkle. But if tempers are flaring and you can’t see the colour in the child’s eyes because they’re squeezed shut, tears flowing as they’re screaming at the top of their lungs... This is an extreme case, obviously, and I’ve never actually had a shoot get to that stage of a melt-down. But just keep in mind, particularly when doing on-location shooting, if the child is starting to act up a bit, sometimes it’s best for everyone to give the child/children a little space and freedom. Skip around, pick flowers (or weeds), run around in circles, chase butterflies. An engaged photographer will likely go with it, following the child with their camera to not only try to get some good candid photos of them, but also to get the kid used to their presence. And if you give them the chance to let some of that energy out, they might be that much more willing to regroup, now with some colour in their cheeks and smiles on their faces when you try again 10-15 minutes later. Suddenly, seated as a group, the child is only too happy to help you all to get a good group photo.
HOWEVER… like with anything, sometimes you need to know when you’re licked. While this isn’t always possible (IE: you’re at a family reunion and everyone is taking off the next morning) sometimes it’s best to step back, realize that things are just not working out for that day, and agree to try again on another day or even just a later hour. Sometimes the kid needs a nap, or to eat or might be over-stimulated depending on what else has been going on so they might need some quiet time. There is no shame in walking away for a time and trying again later. And if the kids who are normally very well behaved are having conniptions, it’s not a bad reflection on you as parents, in fact, better to know your kids and realize they have their limits. And chances are, everyone would be happier with a “Take 2” on the session than forcing the issue, seeing junior’s splotchy red face and tears in his eyes as he struggles, held tightly in your arms as you smile with dead eyes and gritted teeth.
As I am frequently mentioning on this blog, your photographer wants to capture images that make both you and themselves happy – something that you will both be proud to look and show to others for years to come. They will understand. Trust them. They have everyone’s best interests in mind. Where possible, the photographer will most likely be willing to rebook the session to make sure you all walk away from the experience happy.
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