Kim Loupas
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Taking pictures of children
So yesterday I had my first paying job to take pictures of these two children I babysit. The shoot went okay at first, but I could never get both of the children to look at me at the same time. Or one would smile and one wouldn't. Now, I know I'm not a pro, but I work as a photographer at the Santa Set and I take pretty good pictures of children. Do you guys have any tips on how to get children to listen? I think half of the problem was the little girl didn't take a nap. I set my appointment up right after her nap, but for some reason she didn't take it that day. I'll try to put some pictures up later of the shoot. Some of them came out okay, but I'd like to know what you guys think.
12/5/2006 8:29:48 AM
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W.
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Whipping works! Remote too!
12/5/2006 4:48:56 PM
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Danielle E. Rutter
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How old are the kids? It makes a big difference. I think studio photography and santa photography can be quite different because Santa can keep the kids contained. It takes a lot more energy when you're going at it on your own. Yes, missing the nap can make a huge difference. But even with the nap... if either one of those kids is between 15 months and 3 years... there is a very small window of time to get the photo you want. Those are the typically difficult picture years. If you have the time, though, you can stop, give them breaks, and play with them. Then try again. The most important thing is patience... because doing this will reveal just how much of it you have. :) Just don't get frustrated and you'll be fine. If you let me know how old they are I can give you some tricks to make them smile.
12/6/2006 5:25:58 AM
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Kim Loupas
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I guess you've never done stuff with Santa, because it's very hard. Half of the kids are frighten by him. And then you have to have all of them to keep their eyes open. The girl is 2 1/2 and the boy is 4. But the mother decided to use a different picture instead, so I guess I don't need help anymore. lol. But I honestly think it was the nap, because I come to their house often and she gets very cranky. I also think because the mother was right behind me that this didn't help. But any other suggestions would be great.
12/6/2006 6:30:15 AM
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Debby A. Tabb
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Kim, as I suggested in the"Toddler Thread"
you guys might want to go through the " Studio Photography" thread.
I know it takes time , but as Danielle can tell ya , there is a LOT of ideas there to help you.
from starting a Studio to lighting, to Business of.
Speaking of Danielle, could I get a numbe rand call you about some Networking?
Thanks,
Debby
12/6/2006 6:44:18 AM
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Danielle E. Rutter
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Yeah you're right. I haven't done anything with Santa before. I had forgotten that a lot of kids are frightened of him. But it still is very different. And those age groups together are really hard because most four year olds won't sit still and smile while you make the two year old smile (although sometimes you get lucky). Something that sometimes works with both age groups, though, is "I'm Gonna Get You." It's surprising because it's a little too immature for 4 year olds but they often still find it funny. I have a peice of cardboard that I use ALL the time. I can squish it flat and do I'm gonna get you and wave it at the kids so they get a breeze on their faces... and then it also turns into a hollow rectangle (hope that makes sense) that I call my peekaboo box. With 3 and 4 year olds I play a more grown up version of peekaboo. I ask them if I can find them in my box. And then I look through it and start looking around the room for about three or four seconds (saying "where are you... I can't find you...") and then I look at them through the box and say "oh! I found you!" Most of the time it gets a smile... but with shyer kids it makes them hide their faces from you. :) But yeah... the breeze the face and I'm Gonna Get You often works with both 2 and 4 year olds... if you can get em to sit still long enough to do it. :) Good luck!!
12/6/2006 7:41:39 PM
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