Photographing Children

I love photographing children, juice stains and all. (smile) You just never know what you are going to get. The expressions, the looks, the curiosity.

Many parents schedule regular photo sessions to 'stop time' forever in photos. Some children are fine with being photographed in a studio, and then there are times when you need to meet them on their own 'stomping grounds.' If you find that the child is not completely cooperative in studio, suggest that maybe you take some time to play outside. One, this will run some of their energy out. Two, you'll connect with them and they'll want to please you. Three, you just might get a better shot outside then in the studio.

We're blessed with having a park, built for kids, across the street from us. Besides playground equipment it also has many shade trees. Both provide numerous opportunities to photograph the child, or children.

Usually after a time playing/photographing the child outside we can come back into the studio and get the 'other' pics Mom wanted within a very short amount of time - and with a cooperative subject. (smile) The other benefit to adding in some outdoor adventures is that you will be providing the parent with more pictures - and often it results in more sales as they just cannot pass up the outdoor photos of their child/children playing and laughing.

This shot was taken with my 9xi and 135mm lens and 100 slide film. I've just recently added a digital camera to my bag - picked up the Sony a350 as it allows me to use all my Minolta lenses and flash.