I need help taking pics of 4 boys!! So very frustrated! I am on my 3 rd try, trying to take pictures of 4 boys ages 3 1/2 to 11 yrs old. I am not trying to making money doing this...

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

So very frustrated! I am on my 3 rd try, trying to take pictures of 4 boys ages 3 1/2 to 11 yrs old. I am not trying to making money doing this, just doing a favor for a friend. I can take amazing shots of two kids at a time, but when ever I try and get all 4 in a picture, forget about it. It's not about exposure, but trying to get one shot with everyone looking ok. I do either aperture or shutter priority and continuous shots. I had 5 different sets with at least 15 to 20 shots, and dog gone it, in every picture someone is moving or looking down or has a really silly face. In one set I had the boys sit on a banister, and in a matter of less than 10 seconds, we almost got everyone up than we had a man overboard. Than we try and put mom into the mix and not one good shot.
We are trying to get one great picture for dad for fathers day.
I try to pose and to have them play does not matter.
SO HELP!! Yes I'm shouting cause I really could use any suggestions.
They are the cutest boys ever and the sweetest just very active.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Photoshop or similar. Combine the best shot of each kid into one image using layers.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

Rope, tape and a couple of chairs. :-)
Bribes, threats. :-)

Or you could try one them at a time and then in post work, put them together.

Good luck!

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

For situations like this, in my opinion, a tripod is a must. If you are not using a tripod, I can see you get them the way you want them and THEN you raise the camera, compose, focus...crap, they moved.

A tripod gives you two huge advantages: it makes it MUCH easier to do head swaps since the framing does not change from frame to frame AND once you get their attention, you press the shutter WITHOUT LOOKING THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER.

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

OddJobber wrote:

Photoshop or similar. Combine the best shot of each kid into one image using layers.

Looks like I'm going to have to brush up on my PSE12 and really learn how to do this. I have had 3 shoots with these kids, and have hundreds of great pictures of them in twos or single, not one good picture of all of them.

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

CaptainC wrote:

For situations like this, in my opinion, a tripod is a must. If you are not using a tripod, I can see you get them the way you want them and THEN you raise the camera, compose, focus...crap, they moved.

A tripod gives you two huge advantages: it makes it MUCH easier to do head swaps since the framing does not change from frame to frame AND once you get their attention, you press the shutter WITHOUT LOOKING THROUGH THE VIEWFINDER.

That sounds great in theory, but there is no way I can use a tripod with these kids, they move at the speed of light. lol

lifenprism Loc: Upstate S.C.

Try using a laptop with a DVD of some humorous cartoon they all can relate to. Once it grabs their attention, wait for the perfect opportunity and fire away. You can even set it up a little to the left or the right if you want a shot of them looking at an angle instead of that dead in the lens look.

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

These were taken on continuous, and they were a few that I did not dump, just to show you what happens in a matter of split seconds.

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

lifenprism wrote:

Try using a laptop with a DVD of some humorous cartoon they all can relate to. Once it grabs their attention, wait for the perfect opportunity and fire away. You can even set it up a little to the left or the right if you want a shot of them looking at an angle instead of that dead in the lens look.

OK now I think your on to something. I don't have a problem with the older ones, usually the young ones, but as you can see here it is all of them.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

I would have a real sit down with the boys and tell them they need to behave and follow derictions. Make it a real formal session. Shoot ab burst of three shots on each pose then if need be you can switch heads in PP I can in elemints 8. If you have live view on your camera use it with the camera on a tripod as the Cpt. suggested. If you ever have a store shooter go watch them work for an afternool They know how to handle kis. - dave

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Moxiesmom wrote:

That sounds great in theory, but there is no way I can use a tripod with these kids, they move at the speed of light. lol

And yet the 3 images you posted they are all in one spot. Perfect for a tripod. I have done these with the hyper kids and you just need to frame it a bit loose to allow for movement.

You know what they say about doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results...

I will say that the images you posted are pretty good considering the activity!

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

I just realized after I post the pictures the board will move this post. Oh well at least I am getting some ideas and thanks to all of you for your help.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

I've had some success with a tripod and a wireless remote shutter release. I got one at Amazon for my D5200 that was less than $15. You can get setup and then you fiddling with the camera is not a distraction. You can be off to the side and be tripping the shutter at will as you keep their attention. I've done well with aperture priority mode and manual focus with a lens that has enough depth of field to keep everyone in focus. Good luck, they're cute kids...

Moxiesmom Loc: Sarasota, Fl

Mr PC wrote:

I've had some success with a tripod and a wireless remote shutter release. I got one at Amazon for my D5200 that was less than $15. You can get setup and then you fiddling with the camera is not a distraction. You can be off to the side and be tripping the shutter at will as you keep their attention. I've done well with aperture priority mode and manual focus with a lens that has enough depth of field to keep everyone in focus. Good luck, they're cute kids...

I have the wireless shutter, so I guess it's off to Amazon to buy a tripod.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

One thing you may try is tell the kids - lets to some silly pictures first. Make faces etc. Sometimes these are the ones that are liked the most. Then get on with some they hold still. You may want to bribe them to follow directions. Remind them that they are doing this for dad not to just have a fun time. - Dave