SUSIE Q Loc: Colton, California

Hello,

I have been asked by a co-worker to photograph her family for a portrait shot to be given as gifts for Christmas. There will be the mother, father, 11 year old boy, and 2 year old boy. I believe they have chosen an outdoor background in either a park or a nearby quaint old hotel.

I have never done this before. Could anyone just give me some basic, general tips for doing this? I appreciate any information you would take the time to give me.

Susie Q

Dave K

One of the most important tips I can give you is to take the time to let the kids - especially that 2-year-old - become accustomed to you. Expect him to be intimidated at first. One thing I like to do is just sit down and let the child approach in hiser own time. I talk to himer softly, introducing myself and explaining what a camera is and that it doesn't hurt you. I did this with a two-year-old girl once and even held my camera out where she could examine it. She was too scared to actually touch the thing, but she was also consumed with curiosity. Finally, I simply pressed the shutter release. I figured what's a wasted frame if it will make my subject comfortable. That shot, showing her looking into the lens with fascination in her eyes and chocolate smears on her face and hands, was perfect - the parents loved it.

I'm being long-winded, so I'll stop here. Just give the kids all the time they need to become comfortable. Oh, and be prepared for them to do some really funny, poignant, or cute things at any time.

SUSIE Q Loc: Colton, California

Your suggestion makes sense to me. I will do that, I will let the little boy get relaxed with me first, and then the camera too. His parents are very interested in candid shots, I am too. I really don't care a great deal for posed people, but at the same time I understand they want a photograph.

You are not long -winded...I appreciate and soak up anything that I don't know about....So, if you have any other ideas, please add them if you have the time. Thanks.

SusieQ

mommy115 Loc: California

Dave's idea is very good. Let the child play a little to tire him out just a little. 2 year old are an extreme challenge. Take several shots, if possible even one before they know you are taking it but are more or less in the positions you want. Sometimes less pose is a better shot. Be aware of your background. Keep it attractive and not too busy. Maybe a somewhat short DOF would help put a little blur on the background while keeping the people focused. Make sure they are not in part sun and part shade unless you are close enough to do fill flash. Remember that built in flashes don't go that far and you may have trouble getting that close and getting everyone in. Keep the sun out of their eyes so they don't squint. But avoid super bright background to avoid having it be totally burned out. This sounds more complicated than it is. Practice with some people first on a sunny day so that you get a feel for how to position them and get good exposure on bothe the background and foreground.

SUSIE Q Loc: Colton, California

I am taking note of everthing you are saying. I especially like the idea of making the DOF relatively short. That is one thing I hadn't thought of. And also I will avoid a super bright background. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. I will take your advice happily.
Susie Q

Dave K

Thanks for the compliment, and I'll give you one more bit of advice: be patient and don't try to force the issue. The children will respond in their own time.

Okay, I lied a bit. Here's another piece of advice: make sure your equipment is ready. This means battery fully charged, spare battery to hand (also charged, of course), and manual settings (aperture, shutter, ISO) done. They can be fast little critters, so you've got to be ready for 'em.

Another example, if you've time. If you're busy, just stop here. I assure you I won't mind. I was once assigned to take some photos of a new day-care center's opening. I took a few stock shots - "teachers," building, grounds, that stuff - but I really wanted the kids. It's all about them, y'see.

Well, another two-year-old gave me the shot. I can't remember now if it was a boy or girl, so I'll blame it on her being a her. <grin> She was being introduced to finger paints. She'd apparently never seen such a thing before and was more than a wee bit leery of it. She saw her classmates readily digging in and really getting gloppy and creative, but she just wasn't quite sure she wanted to take the plunge, as it were. I watched her and just had a feeling I should keep my eye on her, that she was going to be a star. She'd already become accustomed to me and I was just another grown-up piece of furniture, so all was well. She finally reached slooooowly toward the paint. It took her about five or 10 minutes for her to actually get the stuff on her fingers - a nice, bright blue color. Finally, she dunked her fingers into the paint ... and put her paint-smeared fingers in her mouth. I tripped the shutter just as she made her opinion of that stuff plainly evident. That was the shot that ran in my paper - and her parents even asked me for a print of it. It's just too bad that it was in b/w, but still...

Dria Loc: Ohio

Dave is right on the mark about making "friends" with the kids.
I never "planned" on doing family photography-- I was doing mainly Senior HS "portrait" type shoots (only privately --word of mouth -- I guess I would be termed a semi-pro)
Anyway--- an acquaintance (now friend) asked me to take their family Christmas portrait. I thought {oh no} but said OK.. we did them at their home in front of their tree. 1 of the 2 kids knew me pretty well--the other 2 more hesitant-What really "broke the ice".. I put their mom and dad together in front of the camera 1st-- had them do a couple of poses then told the dad --give mom a kiss silly-- the kids cracked up - loved it-- wanted in-- the shoot when fantastic--smiles and sparkles. When kids see their parents can handle it and the photographer is a bit of fun they loosen up.
With a 2 year old I get down low to the ground- hand hold the camera and offer to let hem look at the screen while I take a few shots of mom and dad--they warm up pretty quickly.
I have a family of 8 to do this weekend--oh boy!

Good luck with your shoot!

bal41572 Loc: Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Hi Susie,
All the previous suggestions are great. You might also want to be careful how short your DOF is, since you are shooting multiple people, part of them can get a little soft (Blurry), so you might want to shoot at around f/5.6. I would also try to keep your shutter speed up, just in case there is some movement from the kids.

familyphotogiuy Loc: Kingsport TN

Kids love to be silly another way to break the ice is let the whole family make some silly faced shots and have fun, then the kids get all into it and are laughing and smiling quick, theres you some candid shots like it was said before if you can do it and they dont know. I have one family I do often and they always start this way no matter what, and mom always loves those keeper shots even if its just for her.

cathie

Make sure they are not looking into the sun. Else you will have Squinting people . Also you will want to have your flash gun near by for fill light and if you have a reflector throw that in as well

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

Children can be a challenge but also very rewarding images can come along. One thing I do is have just the kids sit down and make funny faces while I shoot. You'll get some great shots and interactions between the kids as well.
On one shoot the youngest boy would not be still, so I let him run around while I followed him taking some candids. I got one of him sitting in the low branches of a small tree with a real thoughtful expression. The parent loved this one. Just have fun with it as you can't force kids to look natural.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

Here are a few of these shots

Making faces


In a tree


Having fun

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I am not a professional, but I can tell you what I learned from a recent family shoot. I shot a family portrait for my daughter with her infant son and 21 month old. I have to say the 21 month old was a challenge. I set up first while she played. Then because she likes to sing we sang songs. The trouble is tell the other adults not to sing along. I got lots of strange open mouth pics. :)
To get a picture of her and her brother I had to allow her to include half of her toys in the shot. Oh well a tight crop and we got a decent picture. Expect to take lots and lots of shots and only get a few good enough to use. Take lots of breaks and take your time.

catcher T Loc: Detroit

I have done many family portraits, and i agree on making friends with the kids. The kids are always walking in so quiet hands in their pockets, heads down, so somber like they're walking the plank. I let them know that we'll have fun!
I asked them where the best place for them to have their picture taken, then this is the result of their idea and me making them laugh

plwf

I am doing a family of 3 this weekend too. The child is 18 mos. I am experienced in photographing kids and warming the child up is good advice. For the posed shots, my advice is to make sure your subjects faces are on the same plane, so they will all be in focus. Hope this makes sense, I'm not very good at explanations! ;)