Create Child Pictures
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Child pictures and child photography are parental favorites because this type of photo answers this question: "Do you remember how cute they were when..."
When our child moves from one age to another, how we remember their passage is with our memories... and our child portraits.
Allow a professional photographer (that's me) to provide children photography tips on how to best capture your child's pictures.
Then you can determine if you'd like to be able to create a collage with your child as the star. Or, you can see how your child looks on their very own web page by submitting their photo here, just like the parents of these children did...
Before we get into the poses, let's discuss some key children photography tips.
First, "Know Your Audience" (one of THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF PHOTOGRAPHY). Photographically speaking, a "child" is between 2 and 18 years of age. Each age requires different strategies (i.e., "tips") to obtain the best pictures of your children.
Remember These Key Points:
- Young children will occasionally cry and have tantrums (like that comes as news to you). At that point, if you have other family pictures to take, do that while the child calms down.
Getting their attention with a toy, bell, light, balloon, or anything else that works is typically the first step to having them calm down. And, whatever works - let them hold it when you take their child pictures!
- It sounds too obvious, but if one parent isn't getting anywhere with the child, don't have them try harder, have someone else get involved (don't you just love how some children photography tips can state the obvious?).
If there is a lot of noise in the area, quiet it down and see if the child does the same.
- As much as I hate to suggest this one... sometimes, you'll just have to wait them out.
- Child Pictures Truism #8: Children under 5 may not mind having their picture taken, but they sure do hate looking at the camera!
Have a parent stand behind the camera and (when you're ready to shoot) make a noise, squeeze a squeaky toy, play "peek-a-boo," or just mention a funny word or phrase.
"What's that?" you say. Ask the child. They probably have 1 or 2.
- Teenagers pose a whole different challenge. Teenagers (especially boys) can turn "child pictures" into "child torture."
For some reason, teenage boys believe it's not cool to be in pictures. If they're forced to, they'll often rebel by not smiling.
In that case, (and this works in group as well as in child pictures) ask them: "So, [insert first name], trying to look macho?"
Often he (and the family) will laugh, so be ready for that rare child picture.
- Another common challenge is brothers and sisters. When you pose them together, they will often react by pushing, poking, or making faces at each other. Ask them to look at each other.
Be prepared for great child pictures! If they stick their tongues out at each other, take the shot! If they snarl, take the shot! Because, after you do, they'll probably laugh...and... that's right... you just snapped a rare child picture! (This one's known as "The Snarling Children Photography Tip.")
- Once you have taken fantastic photos, you certainly don't want to lose them, so check out of how to handle problems.
Think of this pose as a toboggan. The key thing to remember is that the shoulders are facing the camera, the children are positioned 90 degrees away from you, but their heads are turned toward you. The children can sit on stools, crates... anything sturdy and short. Note that this pose is also suitable for a larger number of children.
With more children (and adults also) involved, the number of different possible photographs skyrockets.
You can pose them by height, by sex, by age, by hair color... whatever looks good.
If you run into "that teenager thing" where they don't want to be touching, the separation can be increased without changing the pose.
Children Photography Tip #10: Terrific child pictures using a less-than-ideal pose are better than no child pictures at all.
For this photo, these sisters were very loving, so there was no problem creating a priceless portrait.
Parents often tell me that one of their biggest challenges is taking pictures of their new baby with their older child.Actually, the challenge is not just taking ANY kind of child pictures... it is taking a picture that can truly be a keeper.
There are several things to keep in mind when taking pictures of very young siblings:
- Rather than force poses upon children, look for a more natural event to happen, such as sleeping.
Older subjects can be guided into posing. Babies and most children cannot.
- Wait until the older child is interested in the event.
The parent will age rapidly by trying to pressure a 3 - 6 year old into taking a picture with their younger brother or sister.
However, an older sibling's curiosity and attention by their parents will often produce a sure winner.
If you're interested in taking better baby pictures (up to 18 months), you may want to take a peek at Oh Baby! Turning Memories into Masterpieces.
This pose could be your "safety net" when others don't work. There are few complaints when using this child picture, even when you're posing 2 boys or a boy and a girl. Since the subjects are back-to-back in a very natural-looking comfortable position, a smile is pretty easy to get (although not essential for excellent child pictures... note the sister on the left.)
There are numerous advantages when taking child pictures in an activity they enjoy...1) Less bribing, kicking & screaming is involved
2) This type of child photography will typically produce a more animated, enthusiastic look, since the toy/activity appeals to your child
3) Little Jimmy will behave better and longer, thus providing you more camera time to make adjustments and check your notes
4) Child pictures involving their areas of interest are always a big hit when families get nostalgic and go through the old photos. (They can also be used as blackmail when you want older Jimmy to do something they don't want to do.)
And a "poor man's" backdrop can be fashioned out of a smoothly hung sheet.
This is a very easy child photography pose that looks great. All you need for an entire series of "toboggan-like" child pictures is a bench between 10-15 inches in width (a sturdy wooden board set on top of 2 cinder blocks will work just as well).Position the children so they straddle the board, and are touching each other (like in a toboggan).
The children's shoulders should be pointing directly at the camera while their heads are turned approximately 90 degrees, also toward the camera. The reason this is an excellent set up for taking a series of child pictures is that there are so many little options that result in completely different looks. For example...
- Change the number of children on the bench (ALWAYS VERIFY THE SAFETY FACTORS!)
- Change the arm positions (around waist, neck, at side)
- Change tilt of body (sit straight, pivot forward for that "going downhill" look, or have the child in back use the child in front as a pillow)
- Head position (all looking at camera, all looking forward, and if you have 3 or more children, experiment with capturing creative child pictures where the head positions alternate or mimic the "hear no evil," "see no evil," "speak no evil" classic)
- Create totally different looking pictures by changing the amount their upper body fills the viewfinder. (In this example, a tight crop was chosen, showing little from the shoulders, down.)
Children Photography Tip #4: Crop the exact same pose differently for surprisingly different results.
I strongly suggest (a little more than a children photography "tip") that whatever other child pictures you take, always include INDIVIDUAL child portraits of your kids. Down the road, you will regret it, if you don't.In keeping with that suggestion, here is another "child photography series" pose. All you need for this is something for the child to prop their elbows on.
If it's high, they can stand; if it's low, they can sit. After the photograph is taken, nobody can tell what position they were in.
This "child photography series" pose incorporates many options that result in completely different looks. For example...
- Hands on cheeks or chin
- Use one arm or two
- Tilt head or keep straight
- Arms laying on the table/bench, in a "hand over elbows" position, with the child's head on top of the arms.
- Same as above, except one hand is on top of the other
Your Child's Picture Can Be Posted Here!
PLEASE NOTE:
Very soon, all pages will be better organized, thus making it easier for you to navigate. However, you can still COMMENT on the child pictures ALREADY POSTED ON THIS PAGE.
if you would like to add comments below
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(Click the links below to see samples of child pictures. They were all contributed by other visitors to this site.)
Loving expression
I love to capture my son's expressions and I just loved how this turned out.
By the waterfall at sunset
This is my cousin Mckenzie who I photographed by this waterfall at a local mall. She was having a great time playing by the water and tossing in pennies!...
Boys will be boys!
A day on the beach in sunny Brunei! .... Awaiting a perfect pose, 'Look at me' which never came! Instead, he enjoyed showing me his lovely little hands ...
Watching Dolphins #2
Our 10 month old seeing dolphins for the first time (daddy is also in the photo).
Just a few feet away, using a Canon Powershot S5 IS.
My Little Man
We were outside playing on our swing set. My 17 month old son loves to swing and looked so adorable that I was hoping to be able to catch a few good photos ...
Beautiful & Peaceful
I was taking pictures for my wall and just happen to catch this while she was spinning on the swing pole. It was so beautiful! This is a perfect example ...
No, I love you more...
(Editorial comment: As child pictures go, it doesn't get much better than this. Super job!)
About two years ago, I became frustrated because my son ...
Funny Face I Love You
This is a shot of my grandson. He was acting silly so I got my camera out. He was holding his breath so he wouldn't smile for me, but he looks adorable ...
My Favorite Photo
The best time of the day to take outdoor photos is just about an hour before the sun sets. The lighting is low, has a great hue to it and it typically ...
Jenna in winter
It was a rare cold day in Houston and she needed to be bundled up. She is all girl so everything is pink and/or fluffy. I had her stop in the driveway ...
A Single Rose
My daughter loves to pose of the camera. I luckily got this while she wasn't looking.
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Sabrina-beautiful child- from Romania
Hi, i am Sabrina-Maria Purice. I am 6 years old. I am modeling with an assets company in Dublin and also am acting in Anna Kavanagh's AActing school in ...
FLAWLESS ANGEL
WELL, SHE WANTED TO TAKE PICTURES, SO I PUT A BLACK CLOTH OVER MY COUCH AND STARTED SHOOTING. I JUST USED MY XTI AND THE 580 FLASH ON MY CAMERA. JUST ...
Surprised Myself
I just got my camera about a month ago and started reading right here on this site. Also I've been looking at online portfolios to get portrait ideas; reading ...
Vike
Photo of my son at our school's football stadium in his pre-game gear. I tilted the camera a bit to give it an edgy look.
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Little Angel?
This is my friend's son. We were shooting pics in the the late afternoon at a creek near their house. I think it captures his sweetness and orneriness ...
Country girl
Told her to play on her Pops Tractor and just started snapping pictures saying her name every now and again getting her attention.
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Brotherly Love
Taken at Norton's Art Gallery in Shreveport, La, these two guys, Joseph and Ethan Isbell, are so easy to photograph. Their loving personalities come ...
My Baby Boy
Didn't seem to mind interrupting Teletubbies!
Natural Instinct
I sat the baby down on the floor with a large feather boa and gave her a string of pearls that I picked up for about $2 at a Goodwill store. I let her ...
Waiting for Daddy
I took this portrait of my Granddaughter. At the time her Daddy was in Iraq, and had sent a set of fatigues home for her.
To me... her in the fatigues,...
Flying High
My son was throwing his son into the air and I wanted to capture the moment but side angles were just not doing it. So I laid down on the ground under ...
Contemplation
Managed to catch one of the grandkids deep in thought.
A quiet moment....
The grandson was laying on the couch and I had just received my new 50m f1.8 lens for my Nikon D50. I just started snapping available light pictures and ...
Sweet Eyes
Was sitting with Family and Summer (pictured) was playing on the fire place climbing on it. and I had gotten a new camera from my parents. Summer was turned ...
I SEE YOU!!!!!!
I love taking pictures of children. We were having a playful shoot and the kids were just acting themselves. This girl decided to get close and personal....
Toddler at play
Last November (2007) I went out to rake up the yard. My 4 yr. old came out and started to play around the leaves. I proceeded to rake them around him....
Alli in gold, side lighting
OK, here's my best pic of late. I was doing a regular session with my daughter (which I normally do as a "normal" portrait, straight on or so), and decided ...
Sweet Face
I took this picture of my best friends 13 month old in my studio. I had a main light then a fill light also. I took it at ISO 400 1/60@f5.6.
Don't wake me! I'm sleeping!
I was at My Grandmothers and "Summer" (who is my daughter, pictured) was asleep leaning on her side sleeping.
I was trying to wake her up and she wasn'...
Sisters
Two sisters out for a day in the park.
(Editorial comments: What an outstanding black and white photograph! Interesting perspective and good non-distracting ...
Cutie
This picture is of my 3 year old Dylan. I just thought this picture was so cute/adorable. He has such big blue eyes and they pop out so well.
Life's Long Walk
I had just attended my grandson's soccer game and was leaving when I saw my grandson walking down this beautiful long sidewalk. With some slight cropping ...
Little Angel
I was using my 35mm Minolta camera and was taking child pictures for Christmas cards and she was playing around and I caught this cute pose of her. I ...
cowgirls
I tried all day to get a good child pictures, to no avail. she was just to tired to move.
(Editorial comment: Lynda, I'm curious why you feel this ...
pumpkin movers
With my granddaughters struggling to pull this giant pumpkin out of the field, I was in the right place at the right time.
Super Kid
I had this idea and thought it would look cool. So I tried to pose him the way I wanted him and you know that he didn't stay exactly like I put him, so ...
A little Cold!
I was standing watching a parade and just started taking pictures!! Kind of "Right Place Right time!" I always have my camera waiting and ready! That is ...
Spring Smiles
I was a spring day in May and she was standing on her tip-toes trying to reach and smell the Lilac bush. It was out of her reach so she started laughing....
Mirror of dreams
Photo was take when my daughter was performing at the Magic Valley Jubilee. They put on local singing concerts monthly.
We have found a ...
Sweet in pink
I took this photo of my daughter this past summer at my niece's wedding. She loves wearing beautiful dresses and had been waiting for a long time to wear ...
my best friend
My daughter wanted me to take picture of her and her new kitty in our studio.
Princess Shelby
Playing dress up...this photo was taken spur of the moment.
3rd Birthday Party at Chucky Cheese
Taking child pictures at her 3rd birthday party had the potential of major stress, but this time I planned for it and followed some of the tips I read ...
the first day school
For her first day of school, my granddaughter Kristy was very happy and excited. I just had to take this picture.
Hannah the Rain Dancer
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Right after purchasing my new camera, we were blessed with a beautiful rain. As my 4 children played in the puddles, I noticed Hannah dancing. What a ...
SUMMER DAY
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I WAS JUST TAKING SNAP SHOTS OF MY SON PLAYING ON THE BEACH AND I ZOOMED IN FOR A CLOSE UP OF HIS CUTE LITTLE FACE. I LOVE THE WAY THE PHOTO SHOWS HIS ...
BEACH
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I was taking group photos of my family when my son Gabe was waiting his turn on the rocks. I couldn't resist the natural look of the shot.
All smiles
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Just caught this picture of my son at lunch during a trip to Vancouver.
'Booo'!
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Just a day at the beach..... Harry age 6.
Another cute child picture.
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"Birthday Cake" Drunk
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This is my son on his first birthday eating his cake and as he was asking for more we snapped this shot.
(Editorial Comment: This is one of the ...
Breath Taking
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In the hospital right after my son was born. I used a Kodak Easy Share digital camera, ISO set at 800. The only source of light was from the hospital room ...
Birthday Boy!
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Was at my friends B-day party and was taking a few pics and she had Remington (pictured) sitting on the table! I love this pic I think it looks like a ...
Glee
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I was video taping my daughter using my JVC Everio...I love it :p and while reviewing the video on my computer I took a snapshot...I find this the best ...
Watching Dolphins #1
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My daughter had her Make-A-Wish trip and one of the things she wanted was to see the dolphins. She was absolutely fascinated by them.
I was just a ...
Maya's Misfortune
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My Baby girl, Maya, was "helping" me water the caladiums. I took the hose from her for a second and tried to hand it back when this happened. It was ...
my little princess
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Kaileigh is one of the funniest girl I have ever met. She can be a bit bratty but you gotta love her (my niece).
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first smile
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This is my best friend's son (my nephew). He was in his car seat and I looked at him and next thing you know he smiled at me.
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The Big Blue Ocean
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Just hanging out at the beach with my son. He was doing the thing he loves the most. He was throwing rocks into the water.
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The Love Of Lime
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This was taken of my grandson at a family gathering. His face told the story of how sour the lime was, but he kept going back for more.
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