Tips For Photographing Kids and Babies
Written: March 18th, 2010
This article is filed in the Taking Better Photographs category
I thoroughly enjoy photographing children and babies, because they haven’t yet developed that sense of self-consciousness. Kids are so naturally photogenic.
The most important tip I’ve learned in photographing them is to get on their level. I’ve seen so many photos of kids which are taken from 4 or so feet above the child which does nothing but dwarf them and make them look almost toy-like. When I’m in the studio with kids, I often find myself on the floor, crawling around with my camera to get better angles.
Getting on your hands and knees or crouching down before you take a shot of a child takes you into their world and helps you to engage with them through the images you take.
Photographing Babies
I find that one of the best ways to get good shots of babies and infants is to put them on a baby rug and too literally lie down next to them with your camera right on the floor. In this way you’re looking directly into their big beautiful eyes and it puts the viewer of the photo in the unique perspective of an eye to eye place. If the child has the ability to lift it’s head the effects can be amazing as you almost find yourself looking UP into their eyes. To get the beautiful little bundles of baby joy, don’t be afraid to take photos of your newborn within the first 2 weeks. Newborns are the easiest to work with in the first 2 weeks because they don’t yet move their arms and legs uncontrollably. You’ll get those amazing Anne Gedes style poses in the first 2 weeks after birth.
Photographing Older Children
The same principle of getting down low applies with older children although you do have a little less lying on the floor with them when they are at an age of walking.
I find that with children in the 2-6 year old age range, the best time to photograph them is when they are doing something that they enjoy. Take them to the park, photograph them when they are painting pictures, get them to take you on a tour of their room or take them out to play in their favorite sport. If they are a little distracted, they’ll be less likely to run around out of your shot. While they are doing their activity hover around at their level and take lots of shots.
A Series of quickly captured images can tell a great story
If your camera has a continuous shooting mode it might also be worth keeping that on with bigger kids who tend to be more active. As I look back at the times I’ve done this it’s quite interesting to see that it’s often the second or third shot in a sequence that is best. Shooting just one frame at a time can mean you miss these great opportunities.
Another benefit of continuous shooting mode is that you can end up with a great series of shots that might go nicely together to tell a story.
Change your Focal Length
Getting further away from a child, and zooming in can have a dramatic impact.
Another great way to change the angles of your shots when photographing kids is to use different focal lengths. If you’re using a Digtial SLR camera it might be worth investing in a couple of different lenses, like a wide angle and a longer zoom, to give you different options. If you’re using a point and shoot (most of which have at least a 3x Optical Zoom) make sure you use it. Taking pictures with a wide angle focal length can be particularly effective when getting in close to children. It opens up the angles and gives all kinds of interesting perspectives. I use an 18-55mm zoom lens on my DSLR which is perfect for this. It still allows me to zoom in a little but at 18mm the impact is amazing.
A zoom lens allows you to take photos from further away and will particularly be useful if the child is distracted by you taking photos. I use a 70-210mm zoom which I find very useful.
Have Fun
Lastly, the key to good kid shots is to rediscover your own inner child. Kids love to have fun, they do the unexpected, they love to experiment and test things out and they love to play. Approach photographing them in this spirit and you’ll find your pictures take on a wonderful childlike quality.
See more examples in my Kids’ photography gallery section: http://www.donmcleer.com/gallery-of-photography/kids-baby-portrait-photography/