Capturing natural emotions & expressions
Avoid overly posed subjects for more natural portraits
Photographing mums
Many mothers might be disappointed about having lots of photographs of their children, but very few with themselves in the frame. This is your opportunity to put that right! Invite mums throughout the session to get involved and join in on the children’s games and activities. Be sure to use flattering angles – photograph women from above, and never from below their chin looking up.
Photographing dads
Dads can be reluctant to stand in front of the camera and pose. Encourage them to play with their children to help them relax – and take some natural shots as they interact with their kids. Train sets, reading a story and doing an ‘aeroplane’ (throwing children up in the air) work well. Be alert to any potential physical sensitivities, and minimize shots that show much of a balding spot or a bulging waistline – men can be just as sensitive as women to how they look in photos.
Shoot past the moment
Once you’ve got the shot you were aiming for, continue photographing the scene for a minute or two – the family have all smiled at the camera, for example, but what else might they do now? Having got the safe shot, now see if you can capture something unexpected to push your creativity and give you more opportunities. Giving children some quiet moments to explore and do their own thing can lead to more intimate photographs that will really bring back memories for years to come.
Group shots from a distance
Giving a family space can help them to relax and be themselves. A long lens (like a 70-200mm) will help you to get far back, but still have the family fill the frame. Once you’ve loosened the family up with some shots taken from a distance, switch to a shorter lens (such as a 50mm) and come in closer for variety. Use Evaluative metering for group shots.
Get to know other children
Spending time with kids of all ages will let you understand little ones, help predict what they might do next and how best to work with them. Being tuned in to what kids are into will give you an invaluable bag of tricks – being able to sing the theme tune to the TV show of the moment, for example, will win you many hearts!