Children Portrait Photography

Children Portrait Photography Tips No. 1

Photographing children is best done in a relaxed atmosphere and this can usually be created by involving the child in what you are doing. Ask them for suggestions such as what they would like to wear for example.

In the above shot, Alice chose her best dress for the photograph. Clothes which are not patterned or in strong colours that would distract attention from the subject work best.

Children Portrait Photography Tips No. 2

Don't be afraid to ask the parents to keep their distance when photographing children as your subjects may relax more if they don't feel they have to 'perform'. Parents may want to watch at the beginning but can then slip away and leave you to work on your own with the child.

Children Portrait Photography Tips No. 3

Great child portrait photography is sometimes most easily accomplished out of doors, either in the garden or in nature, as children love being out of doors and often feel less constrained in a natural environment. Even when children are dressed up that won't stop them from climbing trees or, in Alice's case, from riding her quad bike. Children give the best photo opportunities when they are relaxed and in the above shot Alice, in her best dress, was completely at home posing for the camera while sitting on her bike.

Children Portrait Photography Tips No. 4

Try to work mid-morning or mid-afternoon as at these times the light is softer. Direct sunlight will create hard shadows which are unflattering and can be too intense, especially with younger subjects. Try to avoid areas of direct sunlight but position your subject with open sky illuminating their face. If this is not possible, use fill flash to bring detail to the shadows.

Children Portrait Photography Tips No. 5

Childrens portrait photography is sometimes more convenient when done indoors. If you would prefer an indoor setting, trying using a window as the light will be soft and flattering. The larger the window the better, and here Alice is posed in front of French windows so there is plenty of light. I asked Alice to sit on a high bar stool so she was comfortable and relaxed but not too low down, and I positioned the chair right next to the window because the strenghth of daylight drops rapidly as you move into the room. Even a few feet in it becomes much weaker.

Finally...

If your subject is positioned next to a window, they will be back-lit so it is important to expose for the face, not the background. You will also need to use a reflector to avoid deep shadow on one side. I used a reflector with the gold side towards her face. The silver side would have produced a cooler effect but Alice is pale-skinned and the gold side of the reflector helped to warm the skin tones. If you use a reflector in this way, you will need an assistant to hold it for you, and in this case Alice's brother happily obliged.