Life in Germany,
life snippets,
Natural Light,
Photography,
Photography Tips
5 Tips When Taking Lifestyle Portraits of Your Toddler
Monday, March 07, 2016
I love
following this little girl around with my camera and capturing how she
experiences the world. Witnessing her reactions and documenting her real
moments is so fun and rewarding, but capturing lifestyle portraits of an
energetic toddler can be tricky. They are wiggly, unpredictable and constantly
on the move! Most days capturing a simple snapshot is a challenge, let alone a
beautiful or thought provoking frame! Fortunately, I have a few secrets.
Below are 5
ways I personally set myself up to capture engaging moments of my toddler that are honest, (as
in not staged or forced but really happening) interesting, and beautiful.
The best part
is anyone can implement these. No previous photography training or camera
know-how is needed for you to start using these tips... although it helps.
5
Tips for Capturing Better Lifestyle Portraits of Your Toddler
1. Give them a
Safe Environment to Explore
When you can,
give your toddler a location where they can explore their world freely without
danger. That being said, there will (most likely) still be times when you have
to guide your child away from something or remove an object from their grasp
before they put it into their mouth! It's unavoidable. So when it happens, be
calm, smile, and kindly distract them with a different object or location to
explore. Young children are highly sensitive to others emotions. If they sense
that we are panicked, angry, or stressed, they will feel uncomfortable and most
likely become distressed, clingy, or fussy.
2. Let Your
Child Take the Lead
Hang back and
see what your child is drawn to. Photograph them as they poke at a leaf, point
at a bird, or push their truck through the dirt. Children are naturally curious
and playful with their surroundings, so be patient. Follow their lead and watch
for that perfect picture worthy moment.
Letting your
child decide where to walk or what to play with makes it difficult to always
compose a perfect shot or to get that dreamy portrait of them looking straight
into the camera. But it sets you up for a crucial element when shooting
lifestyle... real moments. Now that's not to say you can't interact with them at all.
If at any time
they want your participation in the play, need help, or want some encouragement, set aside your
camera (Mine hangs on my side so I can pull it out quickly if I spot a great
shot) and oblige them. Talk
to them, play with them, tickle them, just try not to direct every
moment of their play and if possible, never pester them to look at the camera and say
cheese. It may get them to look at the camera, but it also reinforces fake expressions and smiles.
3. Get Low
Crouch, sit…
do whatever you need to shoot at your child's eye level! When you photograph a
child from their height, you are photographing the world from their
perspective. This alone creates much more striking and personable images versus
standing and shooting down at them. So transport yourself and your viewers into
their world by getting down to their level.
4. Get a
Variety of Shots That Tells Your Child's Story
You can make
your photos much more interesting by catching frames of your child from all
angles. So every few frames move your feet and go somewhere different. Back up (or zoom out your lens) and get wide
shots of the whole scene. Then come in close and get detailed shots of their feet
leaving footprints in the snow, or of that snowflake clinging to their eyelash, etc. While you're moving your feet, think about showing the
details and think "How can I tell their story?”
5. Slow Down
and Have Fun
Similar to the
end of #1, our kids know when we're in a hurry or have an agenda. So give
yourself time and permission to slow down and have fun interacting with them as
they explore and play. It may not happen the first time out, but eventually
your child will completely forget you’re holding a camera documenting their
lives. They'll be far too busy enjoying their play-time and more importantly, the
time they are spending with you.
- - -
These tips may
seem simple and straightforward, but taking great photos of our toddlers, or
any of our kids takes practice. So don't give up and keep shooting! One day
you'll look back and thank yourself for taking the time to photograph the
little moments of your daughter or son's life.
Do you have
any tips you'd like to share for photographing natural everyday moments of your
toddler or child? Write them in the comments below, I’d love to hear
them!
