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05/06/2009 04:32:13 PM · #1 |
I have been asked to shoot my first portraits of two boys (2 1/2 and 11 months). I realized that getting them to sit still will be a challenge but I am looking for prop ideas and /or other fun settings to help me out.
Also looking to view any galleries for inspiration.
Thanks!
Michele |
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05/06/2009 05:19:38 PM · #2 |
Are you photographing children or props? What does what mom want a photo of - Elmo or their children?
Those are tough ages to mix - the 11 month old can likely stand but not walk, while the older one is unlikely to sit still.
Have a chair or sofa for them to sit on- have the older one 'read' a book to the younger one.
GOt a high key set? Have the older one help the younger one walk.
Get some bubbles and play with them - get the kids giggling and such at the bubbles.
If you can/want to go outside and capture the kids in nature - smelling/picking a flower, looking at bugs, at a playground perhaps (slide, swings, merrygo round)
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05/06/2009 05:25:32 PM · #3 |
bribery will most likely work for the 2 1/2 year old, let him know if he smiles he will get a treat after...
also. keep things fun for them, if you are in a studio setting music is good...have them dance around. you could get some cute shots that way...
bubbles are a good idea but could get messy so you might want to do that towards the end.
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05/06/2009 05:41:31 PM · #4 |
A child's attention span is about 1 minute for every year of life. Knowledge of that fact has saved me in MANY children sessions. Keep thing moving quickly with children that young. You cannot expect a child of 2 1/2 to sit still for 5 minutes. You will create a very unhappy child.
As for props, the more you try to use, the more you will distract the child and have problems getting the child to notice you (and the camera). I like to keep things simple with little or no props for kids of that age.
Get in CLOSE. I use a wide lens and rarely move out of arm's reach from the child I'm shooting. That way I can play with the child while I shoot him/her. If you use a long lens, you will need to back waaaaay up to shoot and increase your chances of the kid wandering off before you ever hit the shutter.
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05/06/2009 06:07:50 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by idnic:
A child's attention span is about 1 minute for every year of life. Knowledge of that fact has saved me in MANY children sessions. |
Thanks Cindy for that very cool bit of information - I'm sure it doesn't extend to adulthood - GRIN! |
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05/06/2009 06:15:05 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by LMA128:
bribery will most likely work for the 2 1/2 year old, let him know if he smiles he will get a treat after... |
Yes, yes! Then, rip them away and bang on the shutter fast, a la Jill Greenberg!
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05/06/2009 06:36:50 PM · #7 |
A couple from a session I did with a 2 year old (crayola paint is washable - thank god!)
this one a bit larger, sorry
Message edited by author 2009-05-06 18:38:08.
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05/07/2009 11:53:05 AM · #8 |
I LOVE those photos. I will definitely ask the client if she is interested in that...naturally, at the end of the shoot!!!!
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05/16/2009 02:00:08 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
A couple from a session I did with a 2 year old (crayola paint is washable - thank god!)
//www.christopherperryphotography.com/assets/images/wF8-sc-AS_2yr_IMG_0779.jpg
//www.christopherperryphotography.com/assets/images/w-AS_2yr_IMG_0939.jpg
this one a bit larger, sorry
//www.pbase.com/cpphotography/image/112123056.jpg |
This is an amazing set. I think it really shows what children photography is about.. capturing playful kids enjoying their childhood years.
To Michish, you may think of some activities like this for your shoot. Letting the two little boys play and you at the side photographing them may be a good idea. Good luck on your shoot.
Cheers!
Captain Kimo |
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05/16/2009 02:31:13 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by LMA128:
bribery will most likely work for the 2 1/2 year old, let him know if he smiles he will get a treat after...
also. keep things fun for them, if you are in a studio setting music is good...have them dance around. you could get some cute shots that way...
bubbles are a good idea but could get messy so you might want to do that towards the end. |
I disagree, you shouldn't ask a very small child to smile, especially at that age. If you ask most mothers, the strange look that comes on the face of a young child attempting to smile on demand is something they don't want. They simply don't have the knowledge of what it takes to smile naturally (actually its hard enough to force one as an adult!) so they create all sorts of weird faces.
This is a prime example - I saw this little girl at an event that I was covering, thought she was cute and wanted to photograph her. I asked her parents if it was ok, and most unfortunately they said "smile" to her - this is the result!!! Very cute but definitely not what you'd want to get for a proper shoot.....she was 2.
Be funny with them, play peekaboo behind the camera, blow raspberries at them, get them to say silly words. You can get the older one to tickle the younger one, or to kiss him. And if you can go outside, you can get a hay bale and let them pull it apart - the images you can get from that are priceless. Also try a big coloured ball if you like, or a couple of bright red helium balloons for them to hold. And everything everyone else said too!
Good luck with it!
PS Prof Fate they're great images, giving him paint was a brilliant idea!
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05/16/2009 06:15:21 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
A couple from a session I did with a 2 year old (crayola paint is washable - thank god!)
[img]//www.christopherperryphotography.com/assets/images/wF8-sc-AS_2yr_IMG_0779. jpg[/img]
[img]//www.christopherperryphotography.com/assets/images/w-AS_2yr_IMG_0939 .jpg[/img]
this one a bit larger, sorry
[img]//www.pbase.com/cpphotography/image/112123056. jpg[/img] |
Very awesome shots. |
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05/16/2009 07:54:54 PM · #12 |
There is also the possibility that the more you demand something from children, the more they resist. If they give in, they tend to bring out an unnatural reaction.
Cheers!
Captain Kimo |
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05/16/2009 08:12:22 PM · #13 |
| If you can tether to a computer, one easy trick with kids is to turn the monitor toward them, shoot just over the monitor, and let them see each image as it comes up. It works better on video, but it is one of the few ways of keeping little kids involved. |
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