Photographing Children – A Professional Tip for Instantly Better Photos
Photographing Children –
A Professional Tip for Instantly Better Photos
We could write an entire book on the art of photographing children. But if you want better photos of your kids today, this professional tip is so easy. It will improve your photos noticeably, and once you see it, you’ll wonder how you never thought of it before!
Simply… get down to their level.
An easy novice mistake is to stand at your adult height, and shoot down on children at an angle which hides their face, obscures their expressions, and captures the top of their head.
Instead, get down and compose your image at eye level and the result will be a much more visually appealing photo.
It also makes it easier for you to interact with your subject and draw out natural smiles and expressions.
When photographing children talk to them, sing songs, be silly… and youʼll capture beautiful expressions as they respond to you and join in the fun and banter. Remember also that those expressions are what we generally love about our children, so get in nice and close and fill your frame for a beautiful portrait.
So make that one simple change today and notice what a huge difference it makes not only to your compositions but to the kind of beautiful, natural responses you’ll get from your subjects!
Related: 10 Easy Tricks to Get Real Smiles from Kids for Photos
When to Shoot from Above
Whilst shooting at eye level will vastly improve your child photography, that doesn’t mean you should never shoot down. In fact we highly encourage the habit of shooting from multiple perspectives all the time to vary your compositions and find the best angle for your subject.
There are many times when shooting down from your standing height will result in a really strong composition, but it needs to be purposeful.
The following are a few scenarios when shooting down not only works, but will make for a really strong and interesting composition.
Capture Their Play
Shoot down on them to capture their activity, the related tools, the results of their project, or the story they’re reading.
Related: Lifestyle Photography Secrets
Alana Prosper, Click Love Grow Advanced Graduate
Newborn Poses
Related: How to Shoot a Lifestyle Newborn Session
The Little Things
Shooting from your standing height when they’re looking up at you is a great way to convey their size in relation to you and the world around them. Use a wide angle lens to exaggerate the distance for a fun effect.
Aimee Rogers – Click Love Grow Advanced Graduate
Sweet Details
When shooting down on a lowered head, make sure it’s because you’re capturing eyelashes!
Alana Prosper, Click Love Grad Advanced Graduate
Sparkle
Have them look up at you to capture the light in their eyes. This perspective will feel more purposeful if you get in close. It’s also a great way to avoid clutter around them that can’t be moved as you effectively render the ground as backdrop.
Related: Clear the Clutter
Alana Prosper, Click Love Grow Advanced Graduate
Family
Shooting down on a family is a great way to frame a family and capture their interactions in a way that can offer more interest than your standard shooting front on.
Related: 20 Poses for Natural Photos of Kids, Families and Couples
Heidi Talic, Click Love Grow Graduate
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Lovely pics 🙂 Nice clear language, simple tips I can remember, thanks.
I love your images, they evoke warmth and character. I wish I can also achieve emotional resonance with my family photos.