How To Engage Children During A Photo Session

Want to know how to engage children during a session?  I’ve got your answer here! As a photographer, you probably  have the technical piece of photography down.  You understand light, you know how to expose a photo correctly and you am aware of composition and color rules.  But, what about the subjects  in the photo, especially children.  You can have a perfectly technically correct photo, but if the toddler in the photo is unhappy or not engaged with the camera it no longer is that perfect photo.  Engaging children for their photos is an art all of it’s own and even the most skilled photographer may not capture the beauty of that child if they aren’t around kids often and don’t know how to talk to them.  (For more tips specifically for toddlers read here)

As a mom of four young kids and a former elementary and preschool teacher,  I have worked with plenty of children.  I am also a part time child development professor at a local Phoenix college.  I’d like to think that I am pretty good at understanding kids and getting and keeping their attention, especially when they are in front of the camera.  Here are a few tips for photographers or moms and dads with cameras who struggle with getting those captivating shots with children.
GET DOWN TO THEIR LEVEL 

When you first meet the child, make sure you acknowledge them as well as the parents.  Don’t just stand over them and say hello, but bend down so you can look them in the eye too.  Introduce yourself to them  and say their name back to them.  You can even shake their hand. Make sure you bend down throughout the session as well when you are speaking to them so you are at their level.  This will give them some amount of comfort and make you seem not as intimidating.  Remember they are most likely meeting you for the first time.

MAKE A CONNECTION

Once you introduce yourself, make an effort to notice something about them right away and remark on it.  This could be something as simple as the color they are wearing or a toy you see that they were holding when they got out of their car.  Saying something like “You have on a beautiful pink shirt” or “That’s a fast looking truck you have” makes a connection with you and something that is important to them in their world.  It makes them believe that you care about something about them.

POSITIVE PRAISE

I cannot emphasize this point enough.  Even the most difficult of children still want to “be good”.  From the beginning, acknowledge anything they are doing that is favorable.  Say things like “I love how you are looking at the camera” or “great job staying right by your mom”.  My oldest son really loves it when people call him a “rockstar”.  Use a lot of words that are positive and praise them. It will make it a fun experience and make them feel good about themselves which will shine through in the photos.

TRICKS AND TIPS

Some children will just naturally be slow to warm up to you and that is OK.  Take your time with these kids and don’t try to force the camera in their face right away or you won’t get the pictures you were looking for.  Once you have gotten their attention try evoking different emotions by asking them simple questions: “What makes you happy?” or “Tell me about something silly you do with your sister”.  Sometimes I will say “OK, now whatever you do, don’t smile at me at all, not even a little, don’t smile, don’t do it…”  I will either get kids that will instantly smile and laugh after hearing this or the kids that will take it very seriously and give some great serious expressions.  Either way it evokes great emotion.

Thanks for taking the time to read! Please feel free to like, share or leave a comment.  I love hearing your thoughts.

You can also connect with me over  in my exclusive Learn and Inspire Group for Photographers on Facebook.  I’d love to see you there!

Emily