Work It Baby Work It – A Secret to Portrait Photography
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There’s a lot of good advice out there on how to pose subjects for
portrait photography but a Pro Photographer once shared a little tidbit
that has stayed in my mind ever since and that helps me add variety to
my portrait shots….
He told me to ‘Work it Baby!’
He wasn’t joking either.
I didn’t quite understand what he was getting at at first – I thought
‘Work it Baby’ was just a cliche that photographers said to their
subjects in the movies to get them to ‘work the camera’ and get some
different poses going.
I soon worked out what he meant though when I saw him at work on a shoot
with a subject when I saw how hard HE as the photographer worked it.
When he said ‘work it baby’ he was meaning as a photographer you should
keep on the move around your subject, finding new angles, shooting from
different distances, placing them in different parts of your frame and
taking shots both incorporating their environment (wide angle) and close
up and more intimate shots.
Instead of just expecting your subject to bring variety to the shots you
take it is you as the photographer that needs to be working hard to
bring life to the photo.
He told me that the great thing about this approach is that as your
subject sees you ‘working it’ that they often catch the vibe and it can
bring a real energy to the shot from their perspective too.
Of course I’m not suggesting this is the only way to get good
portraits and that you can forget all other types of technique – but
it’s one way to inject a little life and energy into your shots.
So next time you’re photographing a subject you know what to do – Work it Baby!
How to Choose Your Camera Angle to Take Better Portraits
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Taking portraits involves so many variables that it can feel
overwhelming for a new photographer. What lenses do you use—zoom, prime,
or a mix of both? Do you shoot full-frame or cropped sensor? Will you
shoot indoors or outdoors. Even the subject matter can be tricky, with
some portrait photographers working exclusively with families, others
who only shoot high school seniors or newborn babies, and still more who
do a mix of everything.
Nikon D750, 85mm, f/4, ISO 900, 1/250 second
While you are pondering all these variables it can be easy to lose
sight of the forest for the trees and forget about a few key basics such
as posing and lighting, and no matter what style of portraits you
choose to pursue there is one thing that always comes into play which
may not seem obvious: the camera angle from which you shoot. This can
make all the difference between happy clients and complaining customers.
Understanding how you can use camera angles and points of view can greatly enhance any portrait session.
Point of view – up high or down low
Understanding how your camera angle, or point of view, can affect
your shots will go a long way towards improving not just your portraits,
but your photography in general. How you position yourself in relation
to your subjects can have a dramatic effect on the resulting
pictures. As an illustration of how this works, here are two pictures of
a family from a recent home-based session I did. Both show a very
similar scene, and yet the different angles from which I shot them
results in two vastly different images.
Nikon D750, 35mm, f/4, ISO 5600, 1/90 second
As I shot the image above I was very low to the ground. Crouching
down on my hands and knees, I got very close physically to the family
while the mother and father watched the boys play with their sister. It
feels like the viewer is part of the scene, right there with them as
they all share a fun moment together. This is entirely due to the low
angle from which the picture was shot. Now take a look at virtually the
exact same scene but shot from high above.
Nikon D750, 35mm, f/4, ISO 3600, 1/90 second
To
get this picture I grabbed a dining room chair and stood on it to get a
shot from a much higher angle. The result is a picture that feels quite
different from the first one. It doesn’t seem like you are a part of
the scene, but an outside observer looking at the family as they gather
together.
While I like both images, each one creates a very different emotional
response on the part of the viewer. Even though both were shot with the
same camera and lens, at the same location, with the same subjects, the
result is two pictures that are vastly different from one another all
because of the angle from which they were taken.
Even subtle changes make a difference
You can see a similar, but more subtle, effect in this pair of portraits I took of a young girl near her birthday.
Nikon D750, 85mm, f/4, ISO 800, 1/500 second
The angle here isn’t as low as the first one of the family, but it’s
low enough to be on the girl’s eye level. To get this I had to kneel
down and stand a few meters back as her mother talked with her from my
right-hand side. It gives a similar sense of intimacy as the first
picture of the family and feels as though the viewer is near the girl
and part of the scene.
This changes a bit when the girl is shot from an adult’s eye level looking down (below).
Nikon D750, 85mm, f/4, ISO 560, 1/250 second
While the effect here is not as dramatic as the example with the
family, you will still note a similar result in terms of emotion and
tone. Instead of getting down on eye level I shot this while standing up
about the same distance away. It doesn’t feel like you, the viewer, are
a part of the scene and instead it seems like you are merely an
observer. Notice how the sidewalks in the background cut across the
frame at odd angles whereas in the first one the sidewalks neatly cross
in horizontal lines, adding a subtle touch without being too obvious or
gaudy.
Once again I don’t think either picture is necessarily better or
worse, but both are quite different as a result of the camera angle.
Kids – break the rules
This is, incidentally, one of the most common issues I see with
people who are taking casual snapshots of their kids, whether with a
fancy DSLR or just their mobile phone. Taking a few seconds to crouch
down and get on eye level with the children can make all the difference
in the world between an intimate moment frozen in time, and a boring
snapshot.
However, I don’t want to give the mistaken impression that shooting
from a high angle is necessarily a bad thing. It can be a very good
thing indeed, and quite effective when used intentionally, such as this
image of a girl with her two-week-old baby brother (below).
Nikon D750, 50mm, f/4, ISO 400, 1/125 second
This picture was a bit tricky, but the results were well worth it. I
was doing this on location in the family’s home so I didn’t have a lot
to work with, but I wanted to get something a bit unique. I put the two
kids on a blanket on the floor, got a chair to stand on, and positioned
myself directly above them while bouncing my flash off the ceiling.
It resulted in an image that feels more fun and playful as if the
viewer is peeking in on a fun moment between the two siblings. The
equipment here was nothing all that special (I could have just as easily
used my old D7100 and 35mm lens to get the same shot) but paying
attention to the angle made for a picture that stood out quite a bit
from the rest of the image I shot that day.
Other camera angles to consider
Sometimes finding the right angle involves something as simple as
choosing where to put yourself in relation to your subject, not
necessarily whether to shoot from high above or down low. You can see
this in the example below. After an hour of taking a variety of
traditional portrait-style
After an hour of taking a variety of traditional portrait-style
shots, I stood back while the family walked back to their car and took
some pictures with the sunset casting a warm glow through the trees
above.
Nikon D750, 85mm, f/4, ISO 180, 1/400 second
There are some elements that I could do without, such as the tree
branches coming from the left-hand side. But overall the picture feels
warm, cozy, and conveys a sense of comfortable intimacy as if I have
captured the family in a quiet and sincere moment. It puts you, the
viewer, as an outside observer to the scene and almost feels like you
are watching from afar as the family shares a special time together.
This
is in stark contrast to the next picture, which despite being at a
different location is composed in almost exactly the same manner except
for one variable: the angle.
Nikon D7100, 85mm, f/2.8, 1/250 second, ISO 100
This picture feels like it’s full of energy, excitement, and
enthusiasm as the family holds hands and walks towards me. I like both
pictures quite well, but changing the angle resulted in two images that
are vastly different from one another.
Summary
Hopefully, these examples give you an idea of how your camera angle
and point of view can dramatically affect the types of portraits you
take. If you are looking to try something new and kick your photography
up a notch without spending any money on more gear, try doing something
as simple as changing your angle and see what happens.
In fact, this now makes me wonder about your favorite tips and tricks
for shooting portraits at different angles. Leave your thoughts in the
comments below, and feel free to share pictures as well!
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Photographing People From Different Angles
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Of course it’s not just still life objects that become more
interesting to look at when you examine them from new angles – people do
also.
People come in all shapes and sizes and to photograph them from the
stock standard six foot high standing position just doesn’t do them
justice.
Experiment with getting down as low as you can or find a way to climb
above them and you might just find yourself discovering a new angle on
your subject that adds that special something to how they express
themselves in an image.
At a recent wedding I took the principle to extremes on occasion
throughout the day and while the couple included a lot of more
‘standard’ shots in their album they also selected some of the more
unusual angles as feature shots. Here are a few shots (excuse my lack of
post production on them at this stage): From Above In this first shot we were lucky enough to be able to get on a bridge and shoot down onto a car park. From Down Low After taking some shots of them crouching down in front of
their car I decided to get even lower for a few random and quick shots. I
was using a wide angle lens that got plenty of sky (some a little too
much of it).
Up Close I think I might have freaked them out a little with this one
when I shoved my camera (with wide lens) right in their faces. Getting
right in close can be a bit much if your subjects are not comfortable
with you but it certainly ads a unique perspective to portraits –
particularly facial features.
Keep in mind that not every angle works for every person. Some of us
have features that are shot better as a profile while for others of us a
front on shot is much more flattering.
The key is to mix it up, try new things and take lots of shots where
you can (some situations it’s more appropriate than others to lie flat
on the ground or climb a tree).
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Sunday, July 26, 2020
Tamron Announces First Mirrorless All-In-One f/2.8 Zoom
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Tamron announced its brand new 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 lens designed for Sony mirrorless cameras.
In addition to its massive range, the lens boasts a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at its widest focal length, making it officially the first all-in-one zoom lens to begin at f/2.8.
While the lens ultimately tops out at f/5.6 at the 200mm end, the wide-angle f/2.8 maximum aperture offers low-light shooters the opportunity to work with a fast, lightweight, compact zoom, one that also features significant reach on the long end.
In terms of weight and dimensions:
The Tamron 28-200mm clocks in at just 20.3 oz (575 g), while
measuring 4.6 in (117 mm). This positions the lens as a comprehensive
option for travel photographers, landscape photographers, and more; just slip the Tamron 28-200mm plus a Sony camera in your backpack, and you’ll be ready for anything.
Of course, none of this matters if the lens can’t deliver on image
quality, and all-in-one zooms are known for their lackluster optics,
especially at focal length extremes.
While we can’t definitively comment on sharpness, Tamron promises
“liberal use of special lens elements…to greatly suppress chromatic
aberrations, making it possible to achieve high image quality from edge
to edge.”
Tamron also claims to have “concentrated all its all-in-one zoom
technologies into achieving optical performance that sets a new standard
among existing all-in-one zoom lenses.”
While
we’ll have to wait a few weeks to confirm Tamron’s claims, the
company’s other all-in-one zooms have been mediocre-to-great. If Tamron
has taken this one a step further, then the rewards could be great.
The new lens also offers:
An impressive minimum focusing distance of 7.5 in (0.19 m) on
the wide end and 31.5 (0.8m) on the long end, making for a close-up
magnification ratio of 1:3.8
A fast, quiet AF motor
Moisture resistance
A reasonable price of US$729
Assuming the optics are good, this lens will be a steal for almost
any shooter, but especially photographers looking to reduce the size of
their kit for travel, outdoors, or walkaround photography.
At the time of writing, the lens will launch on June 25, though Tamron warns of potential COVID-related delays.
So if you’re interested in an all-in-one zoom for Sony with
tremendous low-light capabilities, great optical potential, and much
more, check out the new Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD.
Now over to you: What do you think of this new lens from Tamron? Do you expect it
will separate itself from other all-in-one zooms in terms of optics? And
if so, will you purchase it? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Thoughts and a Field Test: The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Lens for Sony
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Sony lenses are notoriously expensive, so it’s a welcome relief that
third-party manufacturers have been making solid E-Mount lenses. The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is one such lens. It is the highly anticipated follow-up to the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8,
which was announced in 2018 and is almost always on backorder due to
its popularity. After testing the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8, I have no doubt
that this lens will be equally popular.
Read on to find out why.
The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 tech specs
First off, 17-28mm is indeed a niche and unique focal length. No
other manufacturer makes a lens with this range. The closest comparison
is the 16-35mm f/2.8, a focal length made by Sony, Canon, and Nikon.
If you’re disappointed about having less reach with the Tamron,
consider that if you use this lens with a Sony full-frame, you can
always shoot in APS-C mode, which gives you more range. This is one of the most useful features on my Sony a7R III.
Why Tamron went for this slightly more limited focal length is
puzzling, but it likely explains how they kept the lens to such a small
size. In the comparison photo below, you’ll see that the 17-28mm is
essentially the same size as the original Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 and the Sony 24-70mm f/4. Weight-wise, the Tamron is the lightest, coming in at 420 g (0.93 lbs). That is quite a bit lighter than Sony’s own 16-35mm f/2.8, which weighs a whopping 680 g (1.5 lbs).
Since we’re on the subject of comparisons, let’s talk price. Sony
charges $2,200 USD for their 16-35mm f/2.8 lens. While their lens offers
more solid construction and a more flexible focal range, this is still a
chunk of change. On the other hand, the Tamron 17-28mm is priced at
$899 USD, which is quite reasonable for an f/2.8 lens.
Size comparison of the Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 (left), the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 (center), and the
Sony 24-70mm f/4 (right).
Image stabilization
The Tamron 17-28mm lens does not have optical image stabilization
(OIS). However, it’s so lightweight that it’s still pretty easy to shoot
stable photos and videos handheld. In fact, its size goes well with the Sony a7R III and the Sony a7 III.
Autofocus
The Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is equipped with a smooth and quiet
autofocus (AF) system. It pairs well with modern Sony mirrorless
cameras, and all AF modes are available, including Eye AF. In practice, I
found Eye AF to be a bit sluggish and hit or miss. But then again, I
don’t consider 17-28mm to be my ideal focal range for portraits anyway,
and I would rather reach for a midrange zoom or a standard 50mm lens.
Best uses for the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
A wide-angle lens like the 17-28mm is ideal for capturing landscapes, interiors, and real estate. Those are the types of photography I focused on while testing this lens. The portraiture I did was minimal, and it was mainly for the purpose of shooting at an aperture other than f/11 to see how the bokeh performed (it did very well).
A handheld shot taken from a doors-off helicopter ride.
Image quality
For my first test shooting with the 17-28mm, I took it on a doors-off
helicopter ride. If you’ve ever been on one of these, you know how
incredibly windy it can be in the main cabin and how difficult it is to
get any shots in focus. This is very much a “spray and pray” kind of
photography scenario. To my surprise, the 17-28mm did incredibly well.
From the moment I started shooting with the Tamron 17-28mm, I almost
immediately forgot it was a third-party lens. Autofocus was snappy (I
wasn’t using Eye AF), there was zero lag or miscommunication between the
lens and the camera, and the image quality was stunning. Photos were
tack sharp, there was no distortion, and the colors even seemed to pop a
little more than usual.
Physical construction
Since this lens is so compact and lightweight, don’t expect all-metal
or polycarbonate materials like Sony uses in their GM lenses. However,
the build quality of the Tamron 17-28mm still feels very solid in the
hands, and I think it would hold up well over time.
Tamron says the 17-28mm is equipped with “moisture-resistant
construction” and a hydrophobic fluorine coating to repel dirt and
fingerprints. Not much else is said about weather sealing, and I
wouldn’t feel comfortable subjecting this lens to extreme weather
conditions.
6-year Tamron warranty
One of the biggest benefits of buying a Tamron lens is their generous
6-year warranty. Effective for six years from the date of purchase (in
the USA only), Tamron lenses are “warranted against defective materials
or workmanship.” Meanwhile, Sony provides 1 year of warranty on their
lenses.
A match made in photographer heaven
Based purely on specs, this lens pairs beautifully with the Tamron
28-75mm f/2.8. In fact, Tamron claims the combined weight of both of
those lenses equates to less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs), which is incredibly
light for two f/2.8 lenses. Both lenses also take the same filter size
of 67mm, making it easy to swap polarizers and ND filters. This feature alone makes it very compelling to invest in both lenses.
During the reigning days of DSLRs, many photographers scoffed at
third-party lenses, saying that “you get what you pay for.” Perhaps back
then they had a point.
But today, third-party lenses have really stepped up their game, and
the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 is one of the best examples of superior
third-party glass. If you’re in the market for a wide-angle lens for
your Sony body, you can’t go wrong with this lens.
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Saturday, July 25, 2020
How to Plan and Pull-Off a Toddler Photo Session
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Toddlers are filled with volatile emotions. They can be shy, moody,
defiant, chaotic, unpredictable, and in need of bribes. So a toddler
photo session can be a challenge.
But when you build a photo session just for toddlers, it’s far less
challenging and lots of fun. It is also the perfect opportunity to get
creative.
Here’s how to let your inner child create a toddler photo session that’s fun for you and toddlers.
1. The big idea
The first step is to plan out the photo session. I think that a themed lifestyle or documentary session is perfect for toddlers.
The big question is, how do you come up with an idea or theme for the session?
Many photographers choose a theme themselves, such as princesses or
pirates. The benefit of choosing your own theme is that you get to
exercise your creative vision (designing the set, costumes, etc.) and
let people choose to be part of it or not.
Of course, one downside is that it’s a cookie-cutter approach that gives every child similar portraits.
If you want to choose something unique to the child, keep in mind that every toddler has something they love to do. Go with that as the theme for the session.
If
they love dinosaurs, then find a way to make dinosaurs part of the
session. If they love to play with big-rigs and diggers, then make those
part of the session. Whatever it is they love, try to make it larger
than life for the session.
When
I found out that this little guy loved watching football with his Mom
and Dad, I knew we had
to visit an actual football field for his photo
session.
Start with a small everyday experience and take it to the next level (I’d love to hear some of your ideas in the comments).
2. The toddler photo session
When it comes to pulling off the session, start by being prepared.
This seems obvious, but many photographers come unprepared, and it can ruin a session.
If you are prepared, then you won’t have to think about it during the
shoot. The less you have on your mind, the more room you have to be
creative.
Gear
Pack the right gear and check twice that you’ve got it all.
Spare camera
Charged batteries
Lights (if needed)
Props (provided by you or the family)
A checklist of other things you need
Part of being prepared is being familiar with your camera and knowing what settings to use. I keep things as simple as possible with aperture mode and exposure compensation. I only use manual mode when I need it.
Even
though props for the session should be prepared in advance, you should
still allow room
for spontaneity. Dressing up as a firefighter was not
part of the plan, but it was the best part of
the session.
Chaos
Generally, you’ll need to embrace chaos as part of the toddler photo
session. Toddlers are emotionally volatile, and the session may take
many twists and turns. This is one of the reasons that I love lifestyle
sessions. It easily allows for pauses, breaks, and spontaneity.
Go with the flow and don’t try to force anything. If you design the
session for the toddler, then it should be fun. They should be happy,
and it should be the perfect environment for them. Even a studio can be
fun.
Keep the parents informed, but don’t feel the need to explain things
to the toddler. You don’t even need to tell the toddler it’s a photo
session. If it’s a lifestyle or documentary session, just let them be
themselves.
Part
of your creativity is in choosing the environment and backgrounds for
your session. I used a
combination of background, composition, and
moment for these two photos. The moment began
with him confronting his
opponent’s mascot and ended with him making a run for it.
Beware of yourself
You’ve got to be able to handle any problems that arise and still get great photos.
Before a toddler photo session, I do some reflection. What could go
wrong with this session? Has anything gone wrong in the past? What is
the worst that could go wrong? But most importantly, how will I respond?
I make this decision in advance so that I don’t have to think in the moment. Do the thinking while things are calm, and you’ll make better decisions.
Consider answering these questions in advance:
What if the toddle is grumpy?
Suppose the parents are overbearing?
What if the kid throws mud at my camera or turns the firehose in my direction?
What if the toddler gets hurt?
As
much as we all love nature, there are many harmful elements out there
for toddlers. Keep
parents close by and make sure they are comfortable
with where their toddler is exploring.
3. The edit
When it comes to the edit, be ruthless in narrowing down your photos.
Most photographers are happy if they keep 10% of their photos from a
session. Some are satisfied with less. Don’t be afraid to cut, cut, cut!
Your final selection of photos should have lots of variety to it.
Close-ups
Full scene
Details
When it comes to touching up your photos, I recommend a simple edit with Lightroom or a similar program.
How do you know what to do with a photo? Keep these two principals in mind. When it comes to editing you’re either:
Putting the finishing touches on your photo (crop, exposure adjustments, etc.)
Or you’re trying to fix a photo that didn’t turn out
The main things I did with this RAW photo is I cropped it and warmed it up with the temperature
slider.
Generally, I would say if you need to do a heavy amount of fixing or
editing of a photo, you should just leave it out of the final
collection. If you constantly have to fix certain elements of
your photos in editing, this is a good clue as to what you need to learn
to improve your photography. Editing should be about finishing touches,
with fixing as a last resort.
A perfect session for you and toddlers
Follow your nature as a creative person and the nature of the toddler
you are photographing. Design everything for the toddler, and you’ll
have an amazingly creative toddler photo session that will leave
everyone wanting more. Do you have any other tips for a successful toddler photo session? Share with us in the comments below!
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Photographing Toddlers – 5 Tips for Keeping Your Sanity
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“Having a two-year-old is like having a blender that you don’t have the top for.” – Jerry Seinfeld
No doubt, you’ve experienced the frustration of photographing your
own toddler or a family with toddlers. Frustration and anxiety come from
not knowing how to relate to toddlers and get them to cooperate for
photos. But there is a way to have a great experience photographing
toddlers even if they are grumpy, unruly, shy or scared.
I’ve developed five strategies based on my own career as a portrait photographer and insights from childhood psychology.
If you struggle when photographing toddlers, these five tips will transform your experience and theirs too!
This
is often how a sibling photo with toddlers goes! There are times when
you need to forget about
the perfect photo and go for comical instead.
1. Meet the toddler where they are
“The fundamental job of a toddler is to rule the universe.” – Lawrence Kutner
Most toddlers are not interested in sitting for a picture. For them,
life is all about exploration. They don’t understand the picture taking
process. Photography is about cherishing their childhood and marveling
at their growth.
Toddlers love to explore. They were born for picking up sticks and wandering off.
Begin by realizing that a toddler does not know what a photography
session is about. They may even be confused or scared during this new
experience.
I was photographing a family and the mom and dad told me that their
little guy was terrified of the camera. When he saw my camera he burst
into tears and ran away. It seemed like an impossible situation.
Never fear when a toddler runs away from a photo. Turn it into a fun game of chase.
2. Promise to be patient
“You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” – Franklin P. Jones
If you’re planning to photograph your own toddler or another family, you must begin by promising to be patient.
This should happen long before you pick up your camera. Patience must
be built into your photo session. Make the decision in advance that
nothing will cause you to become upset.
Photographers only feel impatient with toddlers because they’ve lost
control and don’t know what to do. When you promise to be patient, your
mind will be clear to think of solutions.
Embrace a variety of emotions. Sometimes a grumpy look adds an interesting mood to the photo,
especially in black and white.
When that little boy ran away from the camera, I had to be clear in my thinking and figure out what to do next.
Promise to be patient no matter what happens and then begin to create an environment in which toddlers will thrive.
3. Develop a friendship
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”– Henry Ford
Kids love to make new friends. During photo sessions with toddlers
(or older kids), you must make time to befriend them. A fun grown-up is
like a superhero leading them into adventures.
When a toddler is shy, give them time to warm up. They’ll let you know when they’re ready to be friends.
Go ahead and provoke a great expression by being a comedian, toddlers will love it.
You can even make friends with misbehaving toddlers. Give them time
to run free and pretty soon they’ll pull you by the hand to go play.
This will give you great opportunities for candid photos.
The terrified little boy took about 20 minutes to calm down. In a few
more minutes we were friends and my camera was no longer a threat to
him.
This was actually a grumpy moment, but nobody can resist a funny photographer!
4. Give the child high fives
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Toddlers love to show off and make you laugh, and they love to receive praise from grown-ups.
When they do something well, give them a pat on the head or a high five. Simple gestures like this bring them to life. Note:Be aware of cultural differences. Touching an Asian (or more specifically, Buddhist) person on the head is an insult.
If they give you rocks, leaves, or sticks as gifts, receive them with excitement!
Allow time for true joy to emerge.
Now that you’ve established an encouraging friendship, you can ask
them to sit or pose. Get your pictures quickly, give the child a high
five, and move on.
I didn’t force the terrified little guy to sit and smile properly.
There was nothing but friendship, encouragement, and high fives. He
would gladly sit for a moment or two. I was quick with my camera and
captured many candid photos too.
When you focus less on telling the toddler what to do, and more on
drawing out genuine happiness and laughter, you’ll get the photos you
want without the stress.
You won’t even need patience if you create a toddler-friendly experience.
5. Don’t force the moment
“The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable.” – Lane Olinghouse
One of the toughest problems you’ll face is toddlers not wanting to
be in group photos. The more you try to force the toddler to sit for a
photo, the harder it often becomes.
All sorts of fun can happen between the poses. Look around your environment to see what fun
elements can be used in your photos.
Just moments later came a perfect pose and a smile.
Allow for a contrast of sitting for a photo and then time to explore.
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When toddlers refuse to join in the family photo, I don’t force them.
Every parent knows that toddlers love to interrupt what adults are
doing. As soon as I start photographing Mom and Dad together, the
toddler wants to be picked up. It’s a perfect moment for group cuddles,
bringing out beautiful smiles from everyone.
That terrified little boy did not want to be in photos, but he did want to be comforted by mom and dad.
As he sat with them, I did things that would make him smile and
laugh. I made a teddy bear dance on my camera. He smiled at Teddy which
was as good as smiling at the camera.
Bring
in the background as part of the photo. Let the little one wander off
and then call their name
when you’re ready with the camera.
Bonus: Dealing with the toddler’s parents
“We spend the first 12 months of our children’s lives
teaching them to walk and talk and the next 12 months teaching them to
sit down and shut up.” – Phyllis Diller
Sometimes the hard part is dealing with a toddler’s parents. Some
parents will be easy-going and let you run the photo session the way it
seems best to you. Other parents will not. They have a deep need for
things to be orderly and go as they planned.
During the session, keep reassuring parents that everything is going
well, even if it doesn’t feel like it to them. Assure and show them that
you know how to handle toddlers and that you will make beautiful
photos.
This moment took a lot of work. It was a tiny moment of stillness in the midst of chaos.
Remind them how much their child has accomplished in these early
years of life. Inspire parents to see the fun of the moment. Remember,
you promised to have patience with the toddler, and his/her parents!
Let them be toddlers
“There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Remember what it’s like to be a two-year-old. They don’t care about pictures like we do (but they will one day).
Promise to be patient and then create an environment for toddlers to
thrive. Even when they start out cranky, angry, shy or scared, you’ll
let them be themselves and experience friendship and encouragement. This
is what leads to wonderful photos of toddlers.
I’d love to hear about your experiences photographing toddlers in the
comments below. Please share your thoughts and images of toddlers.
