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Ten Tips for Photographing Children

Ten Tips for Photographing Children
  • PublishedJuly 28, 2023

DON’T LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT…

Ten tips that will help you get better portraits of kids.

I been photographing children professionally for over 25 years. Those sweet little darlings have a mind of their own and can sometimes be challenging. Here are a few tricks I use in every session to create beautiful images that SELL!

  1. Let go of expectations.

If a child is under five, you should have a general idea about what you want to do, but expecting them to perform exactly as you wish is unrealistic. Allowing a child to react naturally to you will always result in a more pleasing image that is a true reflection of who they are. When a child arrives at the studio, I show them around and give them a chance to get used to the place. Give them their space and don’t get in their face. You wouldn’t like it if a stranger was invading your personal space to fast, and kids don’t either.

My studio is a cool place and kids of all ages love to explore it. I make the most of their natural curiosity and do everything I can to make them feel welcome.

2. Sit Down!

Standing while photographing children is one of the biggest mistakes I see photographers make. I have stools all over the two acres at my studio because I always want to photograph a child at their level. Crouching down is hard for prolonged periods of time and sitting on the ground can be uncomfortable and to low. Having stools that you can move around as needed will save time, wear and tear on your body, and help you produce beautiful images. 

3. Don’t overlook the importance of clothing.

The right clothing is an important part of creating an image. While trendy colorful clothes can be fun, I prefer classic soft muted colors that will never go out of style. I explain to my clients that the session is about the child, and we want the focus to be on the child’s face, not clothing that will soon be out of style. Avoid fussy, itchy clothes as it will make your job harder.

I keep a clothes closet available to my clients. If needed, I encourage them to borrow clothing I feel will work better for the session. Of course, I will always photograph a child in something a mom is really excited about, but usually they end up purchasing wall portraits in the more classic clothes I have suggested or provided.

 I am not afraid to ask a mom if we can try something out of my closet. I have a huge collection and there are many unique pieces they would have a hard time finding. A great investment for any serious children’s photographer is a set of denim overalls in all sizes. Be on the lookout for them in children’s resale stores, as you can usually find them for just a few dollars a pair. Over the years, I have sold hundreds of thousands of dollars in portraits of kids in these overalls. I would say that’s a nice return on investment.

4. Ditch the tripod

I have never been much of a tripod user. During children’s sessions, I like being free to move with my little subject and react quickly to what they do. A tripod often keeps me from being able to get those unexpected moments that inevitably happen during a children’s session. I am always watching for those sweet little glances that are the essence of that child and trying to keep up with them while using a tripod would result in a lot of missed moments. For certain types of photography, a tripod is a necessity, but I enjoy the freedom a handheld camera gives me in a child’s session. The mirrorless cameras we work with today allow for much stabilization and I am confident that the images will be crisp and sharp.

5. Take control of the session

I often find that I am working harder to control the parent than I am the child. I love working with a mom that will sit back, relax, and let me do my thing. When a parent is constantly trying to get the child to smile or react the child becomes confused and doesn’t know where to look, if they are not looking at the camera when you want them to, it doesn’t work.

Understanding that the parent has expectations and is just trying to help, I will explain to them that I want the child to be themselves and that my goal is not necessarily big smiles. If they continue to “try and help,” I will ask them to stand behind my left shoulder and play peek boo. Having a parent anywhere other than directly behind you will end up in lots of missed opportunities as the child’s focus is split between you and the parent. As a professional, you will need to take control of the session, using the parents help when needed and letting them know that you’ve got this.

6. Bribery works every time

Ask Mom ahead of time if treats are OK. I am big on bribery with an uncooperative child and keep a nice supply of lollipops and such at the studio. I avoid allowing the treat during the session as this is just asking for trouble. They are promised a treat when we are finished. Additionally, if we are trying to change the child back into street clothes, I will use the treat as a bribe to make that process go faster and only reward them once they are fully dressed and ready to leave.

7. It gets a little buggy

Living in Florida means we deal with lots of bugs. Thankfully bugs don’t like me because I am allergic to many common bug sprays. Long ago I stopped keeping bug spray at the studio because a child may also be allergic. Instead, I make it part of the consultation to remind Mom about the bug issue and encourage her to bring whatever bug spray she knows works for her child. This is a responsibility you do not want to oversee.

8. Practice Patience.

 If a child feels you or the parent is tense, they will pick up on that and react accordingly.  By nature, I am not a patient person, but during a children’s session, it’s like I turn into someone else. I know what to expect and I never let a child’s behavior get under my skin. If you do, the session is over. Children just don’t bother me … at all! Once Mom sees that, she will usually settle down and let you do your job.

9. Stay Calm

I want to keep my sessions low key. I can’t stand someone screaming at a child to do something repeatedly. To get the beautiful natural images I am known for, I like a softer approach. Once you do the same thing for a couple of minutes, the child will block it out. I try to use the element of surprise. I have an arsenal of bells, whistles, and other things I can use if needed to get a child’s attention, but I use them sparingly, surprising them into the reaction I want. BIG tip here… if you want a 4–11 year-old boy to give you a natural smile just throw in the word fart every now and then. Works like a charm!

10. Change it Up

I move children around during a session. I am lucky to have two acres of property with many interesting props, and I use it to my full advantage. Kids get bored quickly and I like to take them on little adventures. I have conversations with them as we work and tell them stories as we move from place to place. Now let’s be clear, I know exactly what I am doing here! My goal is to create many beautiful images in different locations giving Mom many choices. I am shooting for an album or wall grouping. If all the images are in the same place, it will dramatically reduce your sales. Keeping the child interested by moving them around allows me to create many different images mom is not going to be able to resist.

Working with children is so much fun. I enjoy creating timeless, classic work that parents will treasure for a lifetime. One last tip here… if you don’t LOVE working with kids, you might want to investigate another area of photography. While you can make really good money as a children’s photographer, if you don’t love it, they will take you down! They can be a demanding little people. I hope some of these tip’s help make your next children’s session a huge success.

Susan Michal
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Written By
Susan Michal

Susan Michal has worked for over 25 years as a professional photographer and is a respected leader and lecturer in the photography industry. She opened her photography studio 25 years ago specializing in families and children. Her adorable children's work has been featured on greeting cards and calendars around the world in major retail stores. Susan is a internationally awarded, PPA certified professional photographer and holds the coveted Master of Photography degree from Professional Photographers of America. She is Past President of this organization of over 36,000 professional members. Susan has been awarded the American Society of Photographers highest honor, the ASP Fellowship. She is a member of the prestigious Society of Twenty Five.