Travel Photography: Photographing Children
This travel photography article pretty much states the obvious. But I do believe that sometimes, stating the obvious helps us to be aware of things and apply when opportunity arises. Do let me know your take on it. Thanks!
This article appeared in April issue of Terrascape, a travel magazine for which I am an editorial consultant and also write a column on photography.
Because they are full of life and usually active, children make great subjects for photography. Their lively company makes the whole activity of photographing them a pleasure. Similar to any genre of photography, getting familiar with the subject, looking for the right composition and right moment play an important role in photographing children too.
Make friends with kids. It is easier to shoot children whom you know well. It could be your own son, niece or a friend’s daughter. Familiar children make good learning subjects, since they are at ease with you. Even when you are shooting outside, it is important to talk to them and make them comfortable with you. Take plenty of trial images and make them get used to the camera. Eventually they will get used to the camera and continue doing whatever they were up to. When they stop being camera-conscious and remain natural, you are likely to get your best photographs.
Catch them in playing. Look for small group of children involved in a game. When they are playing, they are usually completely immersed in their game and are hardly bothered about anything else, allowing you capture their natural expressions. But make sure you are at a distance and your presence doesn’t disturb them.
Catch them smiling. Children usually have a natural, qualm-free and photogenic smile, even when they have broken teeth. A smile or laughter without any inhibitions makes the photographs look very lively. Again, talk to them, amuse them and get them to smile. Show them their photographs on the LCD that could make them happy. Or catch them smiling when they are playing, when they see something interesting or when they are in a group of their own kind.
Wait for the right moment. Keep your camera ready and wait for the right moment, like a good smile (or even a frown), an intimate moment or an expression of curiosity that you can frequently see in a kid. When you do see it, it is important to be ready to shoot or you may miss the moment. Have your camera aimed and ready. Wait as long as it is necessary; take your time and never be in a hurry to get a picture. Best shots will take time and effort, but they are worth it.
—
+ Buy prints of these and other images of India Travel Blog