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11/09/2007 01:06:33 PM · #1 |
Hi guys,
I'm shooting portraits at my friend's daughter's birthday party this weekend. I think it's a dress-up/spa-ish theme, so my friend thought it'd be fun if the girls got their pictures taken as well.
It's a nice, easy no pressure situation that I'm sure will be a lot of fun. And that's good because it's my first portrait shoot outside the family.
There will be about 11 girls, but most shots will be smaller groups of 1-3 girls.
I'm wondering if any of you have specific tips on interacting with and posing young girls. Things like having them stretch first, or make silly faces, or tell each other secrets, and I'm also open to prop ideas.
I appreciate any advice you can offer, as I'm sure if I get any great shots the parents will pay me for prints!
Thanks,
-Jeff |
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11/09/2007 01:40:04 PM · #2 |
I am interested in knowing what everyone has to say as well. Good question topic.
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11/09/2007 02:10:23 PM · #3 |
| Most girls that age LOVE the Disney Princesses, some of the older bunch might be more into Hannah Montana. Find out what they like best and work that into you 'act' by asking them to pretend they're Cinderella, or "give me your best Hannah Montana pose." Most of them will fall for it and ham it up for the camera. |
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11/09/2007 02:57:36 PM · #4 |
Absolutely positively without any exception EVER, insure a parent is present at ALL times.
Although it is sad to say, the state of affairs today require a slightly proactive defensive mindset than in years past. Be careful to NOT shot photos of girls playing, horsing around wrestling, or other candid moments that could be mis understood in their intent.
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11/09/2007 03:11:37 PM · #5 |
Exactly, I have 2 daughters 5 and 7 the younger one is a Princess Fanatic, The older one has just started getting into Hannah.
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
Most girls that age LOVE the Disney Princesses, some of the older bunch might be more into Hannah Montana. Find out what they like best and work that into you 'act' by asking them to pretend they're Cinderella, or "give me your best Hannah Montana pose." Most of them will fall for it and ham it up for the camera. |
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11/09/2007 03:24:25 PM · #6 |
| protect yourself, get a release from the other parents |
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11/09/2007 03:30:17 PM · #7 |
My advice would be to use a zoom lens and stay as far away as possible from them so they don't realize they are being photographed. Go for the candids as they interact with each other. At that age they usually try to one up each other, so you'll get some interesting interaction.
Or... you could pit them against each other, along the lines of "who can give me the best Princess/Hannah/whatever pose?". Most are usually great actresses at that age. |
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11/09/2007 03:38:14 PM · #8 |
This sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you're able to hare at least some of the photos. Will you be asking the parents about sharing in your online portfolio at all?
For ideas, I think you're on the right track. Make sure and find a way to bring out the shyer ones too...there will probably be at least a couple. |
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11/09/2007 03:39:34 PM · #9 |
| Well I could have used this thread YESTERDAY. Had a shoot this morning with a 3 and 4 Year old. I will post some later. But the youngest the girl was really in a bad mood. |
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11/09/2007 03:46:32 PM · #10 |
I work with young children on a regular basis. My advice to you is be patient. Work fast , young children do not have a very long attention span when it comes to having their picture taken. Keep their attention don't let their minds wonder. You can keep them looking at you by making frog or duck noises or making funny noises also a brightly colored stuffed animal to wave around at them (above the camera)works. Remember their not adults and getting a group of them to all do the same thing is very difficult. I shoot little league group shots on a regular basis ages between 3 and 13.
3 main points:
1 have patients
2 Work quickly
3 Grab their attention
I hope some of this helps. |
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11/09/2007 03:49:12 PM · #11 |
| I agree with Kelli. Use a zoom, let them do their thing, stand back and shoot. You'll get great candid shots (from a distance)that will turn out much better then trying to get them to pose. Good Luck! |
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11/09/2007 03:51:35 PM · #12 |
Thanks for the tips so far! It will be very fun - the daughters know me very well, so I'm hoping their comfort level will cue the other girls.
Since they're getting dolled up, the idea was a "real photo shoot", so candids are out (there'll be other parents snapping candids). For the same reason, I hope they'll drop right into ham mode. =)
Still, I wish I could be a portrait photography assistant for a while to pick up some model-interaction technique. Anybody in the Denver area need a free assistant for a few shoots? =) |
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11/09/2007 03:54:29 PM · #13 |
I shoot many children at this age. My entire focus on capturing a picture that everyone will love is to make the girls feel as comfortable as possible. Some girls are very uncomfortable at "posing" and are much more quiter....some will ham it up....I just like to sit and talk with them and ask them questions........I usually always talk about boys...brothers or sisters....what they want to be when they grow up....somthing to get them to look at you. I never ask them to smile but if I can be silly enough they will start and it is such a more relaxed smile than forced one. Have fun with them and they will respond to your joyful attitude.
Message edited by author 2007-11-09 15:54:51. |
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11/09/2007 04:00:01 PM · #14 |
| I'll tell you how I get photos of my four year old! He used to run from the camera, so I had to get creative. I tell him this long story that I made up (and frequently change) about how I decided I didn't like the color of my boring old camera, so I took it to the camera store to see if they could paint it a different color. (this gets him to look at the camera and laugh at my silly story). So we talk about all the silly colors they painted my camera at the camera store and I point to the camera as I'm telling the story. I'll tell him that they put a polka dot right *there* and over *here*, etc. The story gets his attention enough to make him sit still, pointing to the camera or my face gets the eye contact I'm after and the goofier I make the story the more genuine smiles I get out of him. If all of that fails, I bribe him with cookies, lol. Works every time! |
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11/09/2007 04:19:02 PM · #15 |
Get down to their level. Most of the parents will be standing upright, pointing down. I'm the kind that will lay/crawl/kneel on the grass/concrete/mud, just to get the unique angle. The children will think you're fun, and the parents will laugh too. Kids that age LOVE comedy, so just be goofy.
One last trick: Get them all lined up, then have them follow you around the yard in a long line. While using a shutter speed juuuuust slow enough to show motion, walk backwards & have them follow you around. It will take practice, but it works great! (actually, it works just as well with pets...) Just be sure to let each girl take turns being @ the front of the line.
:)
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11/09/2007 04:47:13 PM · #16 |
My grandchildren are photo freaks, as soon as the camera appears they start to act up. I just go for candids, they seem good.
With all the modern problems, make sure parents are present tho. It can be great fun and you will get some classic shots on facial expressions and overacting! Go for it. |
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11/09/2007 04:55:31 PM · #17 |
| The princess tiaras and magic wands from the dollar store are good props. I have a few granddaughters and they love these! Dress up clothes from goodwill or thrift stores are fun too. High heels, hats, dresses, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. Girls just wanna have fun! |
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11/09/2007 05:05:10 PM · #18 |
Excellent advice, thanks guys! I may have to try making up some camera story, and will definitely be on their level and do my best to make sure they're comfortable. =)
My wife will be assisting me, and there will be lots of people around - it's in the family room of a home with an open floor plan, so no worries. To be cautious, I'll ask for releases on any that I get printed, and probably erase the rest.
Thanks again for the great tips!!
Edit: Ooh, great prop ideas!
Message edited by author 2007-11-09 17:05:45. |
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11/15/2007 08:16:44 PM · #19 |
I find the best thing, even photographing my own children, is to have a 2nd person interacting with the kids. You focus on the camera and lighting and whatever else, and have the second person stand right next to the camera, or even behind the camera, or popping out for peekaboo, or "look, mr photoman has rabbit ears, ha ha".
Sure, try to interact yourself as well - it's a great skill, but I find it really hard to think about lighting, posing, framing and catching the moment as well as keeping up full-time entertainment for the kids. A second person is really helpful, but make sure they know to stay right next to or behind the camera, or you'll find yourself fighting with your assistant for attention. :)
Pro-photographers use a tripod and cable release, so they can setup the shot, and then pull their face out of the camera to work with the kids, so this can be a useful tactic as well, but you have to see each shot ahead of time, set it up, and make it happen, so this requires more cooperation from the kids.
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