There are a few key things I think about with each child session. Each photo shoot is completely different from the next, which is why I love photographing children. I get to see such huge personalities come out of this little tiny being. Part of my job as a child photographer is play time, after all that’s how I get to know your little ones and capture their personalties. Play dress up, blow bubbles, wonder around the forest trees, all in a hard day of work… not bad at all!
Here’s my top 5 C’s to Child Photography:
Color: Color is probably my number one key element to child photography. It is a very personal aspect of my style. I love how colors can change the way you feel. In a photograph, it can make you feel nostalgic, happy, warm, and even sad… I tend to lean towards the nostalgic & happy spectrum! I bring various clothing items to each shoot, just in case you want to add some extra flair to your photos. I also advise parents to bring different outfits that have some bold colors for that extra “pop”. Here are some examples of color in my sessions.
Candid Expressions: You’ll notice I try to keep the overly posed portraits to a minimum here on the blog. Of course, you need that family portrait where everyone is smiling up at the camera… but what you also need is Dad stealing a kiss from Mom or your baby laughing out loud because you’re singing their favorite song. The candid expressions are the ones you’ll look back at 20 years from now and think, “This photo reminds me of what she sounded like when she giggled.” Those are memories I strive to preserve for your family. In this photo below, we were singing “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” to Lilly. Since she was an infant this was their go-to song, it made her laugh out load every time! So, there we were singing Christmas carols… in June!
Composition: There is no right or wrong way to compose a photo. It really all depends on what looks good to your own eye. I love to show the woodsy backdrops of the locations, and also like to use tight shots to show off a child’s expression. My style is evolving over time, and I’m always learning new tricks for my sessions.
Creative Props: Children like to play, explore and try new things! My prop styling is a way to keep your kiddos interested and playful during the session. I get to know the children on a deeper level, rather than just clicking my camera. By playing and interacting with my clients and their kids, I get know what makes them laugh, what makes them give me that irresistible serious face, and most importantly, through playful interaction, kids show me their true personality. What can I say? It just works. If not, lollipops (organic and sugar free, of course) usually keep them interested!
Controlled Chaos: I like to think of my sessions as “Controlled Chaos”. The only way I can capture a child’s true personality is by letting them be FREE! Run through the fields and dance around in my tutu’s. Go ahead… Play. Be silly. Be you.
The End.
XO, Tami
