Secrets to Photographing the Young Child

The photography world should be more like ice skating.

We should get more points depending on degree of difficulty.

Newborns? Easy.

The baby starts to cry and you spend the next 15 minutes taking pictures of little toes and fingers. And the mom thinks your brilliant.

But a young child?

I know you already know what I mean.

I think it’s one of the most difficult assignments in all of photography.

So here are my tips for you.

Listen BEHIND You

While your eyes are looking IN FRONT of you to the young child. You should actually be listening BEHIND you.

Let me explain…

The greatest mistake photographers make with a young child is that they don’t capture the “REAL” smile.

For some reason, children learn at a very young age the “fake smile.”

But here’s the thing.

You don’t know what that smile is.

But for sure the child’s mother does.

So listen.

As you begin your session? Listen BEHIND you.

Is the mother saying, “No… Not that smile. Smile for real.”

Bingo. You just made a mental note of what ISN’T the smile.

Or the mother behind you will say, “Awww… that is so cute!”

Again… make a mental note. Whatever it was that child was doing at that time? That’s the “cute” pose.

Look for that.

Remember… Look IN FRONT of you. But listen BEHIND you.

GIVE the HIGH FIVE

This is another one of those phenomenon’s.

It’s kind of like how kids learn the “fake smile” early in life.

I have no clue how it happened to us as a society.

But it seems every kid gets to be about 4 years old. And they already know how to do a “high five.”

Put me to the test.

Next time you see a young child? Put your hand up and say, “Give me a high five.”

It’s bizarre.

We as a society, revere the high five. And kids love it.

High Five and you have and instant connection with the kid.

The FAKE, “Your Done!”

Ok… so now we’re into deception.

Well, sort of!

Once you get all the shots you KNOW you need to get.

That is… the family shots. The posed shots.

Make a big deal about it, “Ok! We’re done!!”

Sure… the kid is done. But you’re not.

Now is the time for you to REALLY start working.

They think now it’s playtime.

It is, but now you’re going to be sneaky. Pretend to hang out. Shoot some pictures. Laugh.

Pretend to photograph the family dog.

Anything.

But here is your chance to capture the true essence of the child.

But make a show of it.

Let them know that they are done! No more photos!

And then get the pictures that really count!