PHOTOGRAPHY :: APRIL/MAY
Tips on Great Photographs of Your Children
In the technological age of every parent owning a consumer digital camera, children are being photographed now more often than ever! I am often asked for advice on what my clients can do at home to achieve wonderful photographs of their children. The following tips offer advice to help you to photograph your kids in a manner that will yield the best results possible.
Schedule the photos around your children’s best time
One of the first things we ask when scheduling a photo session is to choose a time when your children are at their “best”. Whether it is first thing in the morning, after a snack, or right after naptime, most kids have a time of day when they are the most alert, active and energetic. It is best to bring out the camera at those times, and leave it behind when they may be inattentive or hungry.
Avoid bribing your child
Bribing children during a photo session is one of the best ways to guarantee
an early end. The result of a bribe often goes something like this:
Mom: “If you smile for the camera I will give you a lollipop”
Child: (gives a three-second ultra cheesy, school-photo smile) “ok...
I want the lollipop now!”
Mom: “Just give me a few more smiles and I’ll give you the lollipop”
Result: Child melts down into a lollipop tantrum. Photo session is over. The
End.
It is always much better to engage your children while taking their photo with their favorite toys or games, rather than attempting to bribe them.
Think outside of the box
It is always a good idea to approach a photograph with creative ideas that explore concepts beyond “look at the camera and smile.” Some of my favorite photographs include children who are not looking at the camera, catching them from behind as they run through a field or engaging in a fun activity like climbing a tree. When it comes to clothing choices, rather than dressing your children in clothing that “match perfectly”, choose comfortable, fun and interesting items that capture your children’s personality. Finally, don’t be afraid to include your children’s favorite toys in a photograph. I am personally not a big fan of large props that distract from the subject, but I am in favor of including things that allow children to feel comfortable and will encourage them to engage the camera.
Avoid Over-Directing
It is best to not over-direct your children when photographing them because it teaches them to dislike the camera. Providing instructions like “smile,” “turn your head,” “look here,” “go over there” creates a pressure situation and can discourage them from acting natural or doing something spontaneous. Even if they obey, you are not getting them at their best; you are merely receiving a reaction.
Hire a Professional at least once a year
An experienced professional photographer has a trained eye, offers an artistic perspective, and has the ability to capture your family with exceptional lighting, background choices, and unique expressions. The products available and the quality of printing you will receive with a professional photographer are often not available directly to consumers due to the amount of labor and high quality processing equipment required to achieve an outstanding final product. I recommend including both parents and children in an annual family or special occasion photograph, creating a lifelong documentation of your family – an heirloom for you and your children to cherish for the rest of their lives.
Laura Novak is a nationally recognized, award-winning wedding and portrait photographer located in the Trolley Square area of Wilmington, Delaware. Her wedding and portrait work has been featured in numerous books and publications including Modern Bride, The Knot, MyDay Magazine, The N.Y. Times, Philadelphia Elegant Bride, Grace Ormonde, USA Today, and the Wedding Photographer’s Handbook (Amherst Media, 2006). Laura was recently chosen by Eastman Kodak as one of the two “Emerging Photographers to Watch” across the nation during the 2007 year. To schedule an appointment please call Laura Novak Photography at 302.656.5274. See our gallery online at www.novakkids.com.
