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Phoenix Children’s Photographer- “How to Engage Children During A Photo Session”

How To Engage Children During A Photo Session

Simple tricks to engage children in a photo session





Want to know how to engage children during a session?  I’ve got your answer here! As a photographer, you probably  have the technical piece of photography down.  You understand light, you know how to expose a photo correctly and you am aware of composition and color rules.  But, what about the subjects  in the photo, especially children.  You can have a perfectly technically correct photo, but if the toddler in the photo is unhappy or not engaged with the camera it no longer is that perfect photo.  Engaging children for their photos is an art all of it’s own and even the most skilled photographer may not capture the beauty of that child if they aren’t around kids often and don’t know how to talk to them.  (For more tips specifically for toddlers read here)

As a mom of four young kids and a former elementary and preschool teacher,  I have worked with plenty of children.  I am also a part time child development professor at a local Phoenix college.  I’d like to think that I am pretty good at understanding kids and getting and keeping their attention, especially when they are in front of the camera.  Here are a few tips for photographers or moms and dads with cameras who struggle with getting those captivating shots with children.Scottsdale Phoenix Family Photographer
GET DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL 

When you first meet the child, make sure you acknowledge them as well as the parents.  Don’t just stand over them and say hello, but bend down so you can look them in the eye too.  Introduce yourself to them  and say their name back to them.  You can even shake their hand. Make sure you bend down throughout the session as well when you are speaking to them so you are at their level.  This will give them some amount of comfort and make you seem not as intimidating.  Remember they are most likely meeting you for the first time.

MAKE A CONNECTION

Once you introduce yourself, make an effort to notice something about them right away and remark on it.  This could be something as simple as the color they are wearing or a toy you see that they were holding when they got out of their car.  Saying something like “You have on a beautiful pink shirt” or “That’s a fast looking truck you have” makes a connection with you and something that is important to them in their world.  It makes them believe that you care about something about them.

Phoenix Family Photographer

Scottsdale Phoenix Family Photographer

POSITIVE PRAISE

I cannot emphasize this point enough.  Even the most difficult of children still want to “be good”.  From the beginning, acknowledge anything they are doing that is favorable.  Say things like “I love how you are looking at the camera” or “great job staying right by your mom”.  My oldest son really loves it when people call him a “rockstar”.  Use a lot of words that are positive and praise them. It will make it a fun experience and make them feel good about themselves which will shine through in the photos.

TRICKS AND TIPS

Some children will just naturally be slow to warm up to you and that is OK.  Take your time with these kids and don’t try to force the camera in their face right away or you won’t get the pictures you were looking for.  Once you have gotten their attention try evoking different emotions by asking them simple questions: “What makes you happy?” or “Tell me about something silly you do with your sister”.  Sometimes I will say “OK, now whatever you do, don’t smile at me at all, not even a little, don’t smile, don’t do it…”  I will either get kids that will instantly smile and laugh after hearing this or the kids that will take it very seriously and give some great serious expressions.  Either way it evokes great emotion.

Scottsdale Phoenix Family Photographer

Thanks for taking the time to read! Please feel free to like, share or leave a comment.  I love hearing your thoughts.

You can also connect with me over  in my exclusive Learn and Inspire Group for Photographers on Facebook.  I’d love to see you there!

Emily

 



35 comments
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  • AlyssaJuly 8, 2014 - 7:04 am

    These photos are great! And the tips are fantastic for any child photographer. You are so right…it really is a talent of its own to connect with a child and capture their beauty and character!ReplyCancel

  • BonnieJuly 8, 2014 - 5:37 am

    Love these tips! All true!ReplyCancel

  • LisaJuly 7, 2014 - 5:51 am

    Very good articles!! Love the tips!ReplyCancel

  • AmyJuly 6, 2014 - 8:22 pm

    Love this! Great tips!ReplyCancel

  • Melissa WisemanJuly 6, 2014 - 4:41 pm

    These are all great tips, thank you for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • GinaJuly 5, 2014 - 7:06 pm

    What great tips!ReplyCancel

  • TaraJuly 5, 2014 - 2:40 pm

    Awesome tipsReplyCancel

  • Melissa DotzkoJuly 3, 2014 - 6:06 pm

    Fantastic tips for photographing children! Phoenix is lucky to have you 🙂ReplyCancel

  • HannahJuly 3, 2014 - 9:58 am

    Great tips for a child photo session! I love the advice about positive praising, I think everyone should focus on the positive instead of negative actions. Phoenix is lucky to have such a thoughtful and talented photographer!ReplyCancel

  • sugashoc photographyJuly 3, 2014 - 9:55 am

    These tips for photographing children are so good! Thank you so much for sharing! Phoenix is lucky to have you as a children photographer.ReplyCancel

  • StephanieJuly 3, 2014 - 8:38 am

    Great advice! These are wonderful tips and techniques for photographing children. Your photos are beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • Vic JohanssonJuly 3, 2014 - 12:27 am

    Great tricks for kids portraits! =)ReplyCancel

  • MelissaJuly 2, 2014 - 8:32 pm

    Great advice and beautiful photos!ReplyCancel

  • SuriJuly 2, 2014 - 4:35 pm

    Phoenix Children Photographer’s tips for working with kids are wonderful. Enjoyed reading them.ReplyCancel

  • Rena ChristineJuly 2, 2014 - 3:42 pm

    Great Tips! and cute kiddies too 🙂ReplyCancel

  • AsheleyJuly 1, 2014 - 8:38 pm

    Great tips and examples. The connection you’ve made with your littlest clients shines in your photos!ReplyCancel

  • Kim MillerJuly 1, 2014 - 7:34 pm

    Great tips! I love photographing children but they are definitely challenging!ReplyCancel

  • Angela KayJuly 1, 2014 - 5:59 pm

    Lovely pictures and great tips!!ReplyCancel

  • AmandaJuly 1, 2014 - 4:00 pm

    Great tips!! I struggle with photographing little kiddos sometimes!! Especially my own!!!ReplyCancel

  • Kayla GonzalesJuly 1, 2014 - 3:44 pm

    Excellent tips, thanks so much for sharing!!ReplyCancel

  • dariaJuly 1, 2014 - 3:29 pm

    Amazing tips! Thanks so much for writing thisReplyCancel

  • Stunning images – excellent article!!ReplyCancel

  • RebekahJuly 1, 2014 - 6:27 am

    These are all great tips! Working with children can be a challenge, but they are so much fun. 🙂ReplyCancel

  • christineJuly 1, 2014 - 6:14 am

    Great tips!! Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel

  • JennyJuly 1, 2014 - 2:18 am

    These are great tips for working with children! And such gorgeous photos you’ve captured!ReplyCancel

  • HaleyJune 30, 2014 - 9:19 pm

    Wow, these are some really great tips! I’ll keep these in mind!ReplyCancel

  • AnalieseJune 30, 2014 - 6:32 pm

    Awesome advice! Thanks for sharing.ReplyCancel

  • heatherJune 30, 2014 - 2:40 pm

    beautiful photos and great tips on working with kids!ReplyCancel

  • RobinJune 30, 2014 - 2:03 pm

    Great tips and beautiful work!ReplyCancel

  • Patricia KnightJune 30, 2014 - 11:47 am

    These are some great tips Emily.ReplyCancel

  • Michelle BJune 30, 2014 - 11:33 am

    beautiful photos and thank you very much for the wonderful tips!ReplyCancel

  • harshitaJune 30, 2014 - 10:27 am

    very good article….love the tips and tricks…i am definitely going to use these when photographing a babyReplyCancel

  • jessicaJune 30, 2014 - 10:24 am

    Great ideas on how to connect with kids during their photo session. It can be so tricky some days to get those genuine smiles!ReplyCancel

  • SaraJune 30, 2014 - 9:10 am

    Love the tips, they’re so true! Working with kiddos is hard, but it’s so much fun!ReplyCancel

  • AubreyJune 30, 2014 - 7:45 am

    These tips for child photographers are great! Phoeix, AZ is very lucky to have you as their family photographer!ReplyCancel

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