Photographing Kids: Everything from what to expect...to expectoration

In my limited photographic career, I most often find children posing (or crying) in front of my camera. While a child shoot isn’t as stressful as a wedding gig, it’s certainly not as predictable as, say, an engagement session either. 

The reason for this is simple: kids are a mess, most often in the literal sense. A fun mess, but a mess. Perhaps they didn’t get a good night’s rest, or maybe there was a vegetable battle over lunch, or a tricycle accident that morning, resulting in a scabbed chin. Anything can be a factor in the quality of the pictures, and the results can vary across an extreme spectrum. 

 Allow me to illustrate.

First, we have the classic screamer. This is what you absolutely hope does not happen, for obvious reasons. It’s the worst possible scenario in a photo shoot because, honestly, who on earth wants that framed above the mantle? If you’re lucky, the little tike will perk back up with some comical dancing around by mommy. In this instance, it worked! I'm pleased to say that the unhappy camper below came around nicely :) If you’re not lucky...better just pack it up and blame the untimely teething process. 

Next, let’s move on to The Expectoration, most commonly exhibited in children under the age of 1 year as a the result of significant jostling. While an occurrence of The Expectoration does not necessarily bring about an early end to the session, it can cause wardrobe complications to the unprepared. I’m pleased to say that this particular shoot was not inhibited by the reappearance of this little man’s 4 o’clock feeding, thanks to his  lovely and got-it-under-control mama. :) 

A third example of the unpredictability of children photo shoots would be an attitude flare. The factors contributing to this type of picture are literally endless and range from outfit disagreements to a general disdain for having one’s picture made. Don't be deceived...the tiny diva pictured here is a fantastic actress. 

The prospect of photographing a single child poses infinite outcome possibilities, but do a set of siblings and you have double-infinite outcome possibilities. Yes, double-infinite is a real quantity. I would know. 

The Pulling-of-the-Hair is not an uncommon result of pitting brother against sister in a photoshoot...

...but then, neither is the inevitable Wrestle-to-the-Death. Now that’s the perfect Christmas card. Notice how they're trying to suppress the urge to completely crush each other :) 

Extra points to the photographer who can manage to capture the proper end of both siblings simultaneously. 

The “I’m going to laugh harder than you” is a fun shot to capture, but difficult to create...especially when the subjects involved are brothers under the age of 3, and if the father is unable to contort his face and body into positions hilarious enough to cause a giggling contest. Amazingly enough, we got it. 

Then there’s the sweet hand holding shot. Word to the wise: Take age and audience into consideration. Only a big sister who feels that her 11 year old coolness isn’t threatened will allow her 6 year old little sister to run up and grab her hand. 

At the end of the day, I recommend a children’s photographer try to be as laid back as possible (a laughable proposition, coming from me) and use rapid shot. That plus an especially cute subject makes taking the perfect picture easy to achieve. :)