Tips to Photographing Kids
This is a guest post by
CHAOS + CREATIVE BLOG
Lifestyle Blog for Creatives
Jenna Montroy
Well looking at my photos you might think I have a really calm and cooperative child. That's so far from the truth, she's beyond crazy and rambunctious and has an attitude like an 18 year old.
I try to work with Warin Marie Photography for most of my blog posts however with over an hour in driving distance between us now that isn't always possible. Some of our previous experiences have been super easy and really fun with our child models and other times we want to rip our hair out. I'm pretty sure on numerous occasions we've looked at each other and said "we are never doing this again!" However we continue to put ourselves through it time and time again.
After a year of doing this I have rangled up some of my best tips and tricks for you when photographing children.
FOOD
If you're a mom you already know Food saves lives. No joke! I rarely leave the house without snacks in my purse, why? 'Cause you need them. Kids when they are hungry are not fun. They get hangry and just mean. Make sure you pack snacks.
BRIBERY
Yup it totally works and I have no shame in bribing my child, sometimes you gotta do what ya gotta do. I will bring items that she loves with us to the photoshoot and if she does what she's asked she gets what she wants. It can be a bit of a catch 22 however it usually always works.
DISTRACTIONS
Always bring something to distract their attention in the direction you want. If they are little maybe it's a toy or a shiny object. For my daughter when she was around 2 years old we brought bubbles with us. When she was smaller it was a squeak toy that caught her attention. Now that she's getting older it's a bit harder but she still has a few toys that are her favourite.
PATIENCE
Make sure you pack a backpack full of patience with you. 99% of the time it will not work the way you want it to and that's ok you have to be willing to adjust and adapt to what's happening. Try and be as easy going as possible and remembering to just breathe is a good too.
CHANGE IT UP
Kids get bored easily so keep changing up your scenery if you can. If you're trying to capture photos outside, go for a walk and move to a different location. Utilize what you have, play in that pile of leaves, go foraging for foliage, etc. Do whatever you can to keep them happy to be able to get that perfect image.
It's not always going to work. There have been days for us that just don't work out and that's okay with kids. You have to be prepared for anything, just try and remember these tips and you should be able to get at least one good shot.
GOOD LUCK!
XO
JENNA
PHOTOS: WARIN MARIE PHOTOGRAPHY
Warin Marie Photography: http://www.warinmariephotography.com/
Chaos and Creative Blog: http://chaosandcreative.wordpress.com/
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This is the first guest post I received from an International blogger, Jenna is from Canada! I'm thrilled and beyond grateful for her generosity for sharing her tips here. Her Instagram feed is super adorable and cozy, you can see more of her talent in event styling and her bits on motherhood at @chaosandcreative or https://www.instagram.com/chaosandcreative/. Jenna, thank you so much for sharing with us! --- Eve
