How to photograph a baby at 6 months. Is it possible to photograph newborns? Basic rules for photographing babies at home

300 photos, 10 with retouching

9980r 1-1.5 hours

Dear Parents, children's photo shoot- this is an exciting adventure, and it’s very inexpensive! Order a photo shoot for a child from me and I will take care of everything: I will help you choose clothes, advise places in Moscow for shooting, fulfill and deliver your order by courier. A sea of ​​pleasant impressions and bright, memorable shots are guaranteed!

Book a photo shoot with your children from me

Children's photography is ordered from me by mothers who want not to miss a single stage in the life of their child. Photographing children requires from a professional not only technique, talent and skill, but also special props: for little ones I have baskets, headbands, blankets, scarves, hats, knitted with my own hands. In my work, I think the most important thing is to gain the trust of a wonderful hero, allow him to behave at ease and take great pictures! Kids always reciprocate with me, because I try to see the world like them. After the meeting, I’m even a little sad, saying goodbye to my new little friend...

Ideas for a children's photo shoot

In Moscow and the Moscow region, I conduct photo sessions for children in any of the places listed below: in a children's studio or outdoors, on the street or in a park - I have a lot of ideas for a children's photo shoot, I will offer the best options!

Children's photo shoot in the studio

Photo sessions for children in nature

A photo session in nature will not seem boring to a child: the park has a large space for games, movement and communication with peers. Conduct outdoor photo session with a child on the street, in nature - at any time of the year, summer and winter. While I'm looking through the viewfinder, he can be riding a bike or sled, running through puddles, chasing pigeons, lying on the grass or in the snow!

Photo session with a child at home

A home photo session with a child is inexpensive and is suitable even for little ones: at home, surrounded by their own walls, he will feel comfortable, and we will get magical photographs. Favorite toys will become accessories, and I will remove unnecessary parts using computer processing. For a home baby photo shoot, I can take with me a variety of accessories that I knit myself.
May you and future generations have memories of the wonderful and unique time of childhood in many years to come.

Children's photographs in home environment always more than photographs taken anywhere else. But these photographs do not always satisfy the quality of the parent photographer. Why is this happening? Perhaps you didn’t take the lighting into account and didn’t set up the camera correctly, or maybe you just took the wrong correct angle. There can actually be many reasons.

In order not to repeat your mistakes again and again, you need to carefully prepare for shooting, armed with our tips for photographing children at home.

Photograph your baby in natural light

Best time for children's photo shoot at home - sunny morning. In sunny weather, the bright rays of the sun pass through the window glass, which in this case plays the role of a diffuser and well illuminates the room, the child and other subjects.

If there is not enough natural light to take a child’s portrait and deep shadows form on the face, then you can install a photo reflector on the shadow side. You can make it from ordinary foil by gluing it to a durable cardboard.

Use a portrait lens

If you have a fast portrait lens, then use it for a photo shoot. It will help you take bright photos and, thanks to its maximum aperture, will “blur” the unsightly background in the room.

Use the window as a pedestal for a photo shoot

An ideal place for a children's photo shoot - window sill with a closed window. On it, including near it, you can take wonderful children's photographs with natural light without using flash.

Sit your child on a window sill and ask him to tell you about what he sees on the street. While the baby is telling his story, take pictures of him from different angles and be sure to maintain a conversation with him, otherwise he will quickly get bored with this activity and ask to get down.

“Dilute” the photo with a teddy bear. Ask your child to show his stuffed friend the trees and the road outside the window. The baby will gladly accept your offer. Engage your child with different views from the window. Come up with and tell us about a dog running outside the window. This way you will get great shots of the baby looking intently out the window.

Play hide and seek with your child near the window. Let him hide behind the curtain and joyfully look out from behind his hiding place. Just have time to seize the moment! But do not forget that the child’s movement may be blurred in the frame, so set up the camera correctly: short shutter speed(1/250 and more), maximum open aperture (f2 - 5.6), if necessary, turn on the flash and, if necessary, adjust its “puff” a couple of stops to the minus, so as not to overexpose the child’s face.

Organize a cozy corner for a photo shoot

Doing this at home is not at all difficult. You just need to find a fairly well-lit place where you can hang the background.

The background will be a plain white sheet or tablecloth. You can attach it to the wallpaper with pins or pushpins. If you cannot do this, then choose a place where the child will be comfortable to sit, for example, a children's sofa or chair. “Update” such a place for a photo shoot so that it does not become familiar in family album, you can use a beautiful cape, pillows and plush toys. But do not overdo it, otherwise your photo will not show the child, the main subject of the photograph. Everything should be in moderation. 3-4 toys surrounded by the baby are quite enough.

Take photos of your baby in action

If you already have a lot of photographs of your child playing, drawing or swimming, but you don’t know what idea to come up with for a children’s photo shoot, don’t despair.

Have you photographed your child while he was drawing at the table? Then move to the floor! Put down a large piece of whatman paper, give him some paint and let him draw with his hands and feet. In order to take several excellent photographs of your child drawing, you will only need 20 minutes. Then film him trying to wash the paint off his hands in the bathroom. Such moments, captured in photographs, will amuse all your relatives and friends, and will also make a lasting impression on the child himself.

Another option for a children's photo shoot at home : modeling dough. Sit your child at the table and give him dough, flour and a small rolling pin. Ask your child to bake you some buns. You can also involve your child’s older siblings or friends in such a fun photo session. It's always more fun with company!

At home, even the floor can become a wonderful place and at the same time a backdrop for a children's photo shoot. Many children love to play, read, and watch TV while lying on the floor. During this time, parents can take great photos by photographing the baby from above, standing on a chair when the baby is lying on his back, or from eye level with the baby when he is lying on his stomach or side.

Take pictures of your child in the evening by candlelight

If you didn’t have time for a photo shoot in the daytime or in the morning, and it’s been dark outside for a long time, and the lighting in the room is not good enough, then we advise you to conduct a children’s photo shoot by candlelight. Toddlers may be scared, but older children usually enjoy these photo shoots.

In order to take beautiful photos of your child by candlelight, organize a shooting location. Place a candle in a beautiful candlestick on a children's table or on a stool, turn off the light and turn off the flash. Set the camera: ISO 100 - 200 (the higher the ISO value, the more noise is formed in the image), aperture - 3.5-5.6, shutter speed 1/10 - 1/15. If your camera doesn't have manual settings, then switch it to night mode.

Photographing children at home , experiment not only with lighting and angles, but also with camera settings. Involve the baby’s relatives and friends in the photography, conduct the photo session in a playful way, and then your family album will contain only interesting and high-quality photographs.

Children's photo shoot at home the most convenient format for photographing, especially for a child. Let's discuss what parents and a children's photographer need to know to conduct a children's photo shoot in your home.

Home is a comfortable, familiar and familiar “habitat” for all family members. Already at 9-12 months, a child can navigate the apartment well, knows the places in the house where he eats, sleeps, plays, and bathes. Therefore, it is better to conduct a children's photo shoot, especially for babies under one year old, at home in a familiar environment.

The child will feel safe at home, especially if there are mom and dad nearby in addition to the unfamiliar children’s photographer. The baby will be able to quickly adapt and get used to a stranger on his territory.

Cleaning up the house – we don’t want unnecessary and unnecessary objects to get into the frame. To do this, we put the house in order in advance; there is no need to carry out general cleaning; it is enough to remove unnecessary, distracting objects so that they do not fall into the frame: bright carpets, stacks of newspapers and magazines lying on the coffee table, mugs forgotten on the table, etc. If the purpose of a children's photo shoot is to capture your mess at home, then there is no need to clean up.

Changing the interior – not necessarily, but perhaps in the process of preparing for a children’s photo shoot you will look at the interior of a room or apartment with different eyes. Just, for God’s sake, don’t move the cabinets and beds; it will be enough to rearrange the coffee table, or rearrange the flowers from the windowsill to the floor or to the same coffee table. A small rearrangement of interior items will refresh your room.

Choosing rooms for a children's photo shoot – We think in advance where we will photograph your child. If possible, do not limit yourself to one children's room, consider other areas of your apartment for a children's photo shoot. Good children's photos are taken in the kitchen or bathroom. When choosing rooms for a children's photo shoot at home, we pay attention to the area of ​​the rooms and their lighting. It will be difficult for a children's photographer to work in a cramped space. Select and approve at least two rooms for a children's photo shoot, because it is very difficult to keep a child in one room for 2-3 hours.

Adding lighting – required condition for a children's photo shoot. If the windows have thick curtains or blinds, if possible, remove them from the windows during the children's photo shoot. If there is insufficient lighting, photographs will turn out dull and blurry.

Choosing a time for a children's photo shoot – we adapt only to the daily routine of the most important person in this process, your child. It is better to photograph a child in the first half of the day, when the lighting is good, and the child is usually more active in the morning than in the evening. The duration of a children's photo shoot again depends on the child - for some, an hour is too much, and for others, three hours is not enough.

Preparing clothes – think in advance what clothes your child will be photographed in, take them out and put them in an accessible place so as not to waste your time and the photographer’s time looking for beautiful and, most importantly, clean clothes. Read this article on how to choose clothes.

We get the props – in other words, favorite toys or objects that your baby usually plays with. You don’t need a lot of toys, three to five are enough. If during a children's photo shoot a child asks for some other toy, do not contradict him, because everything that happens depends on his mood.

And lastly, prepare your child for a photo shoot , how to do it -

I will give you a couple of tips based on my work experience.

We play, not take pictures – I recommend conducting a children’s photo shoot in game mode. We do not ask the child to sit down and smile, tilt his head to the right or left, etc. We communicate with him, play, evoke only positive emotions in him, we can capture very few negative emotions, and during the game we catch good moments on the fly. The quality of the photographs will depend on your experience.

We photograph the child, not the child in the interior – we remember why we came here. We came to photograph the baby, his emotions, to capture, so to speak, the most successful and funniest moments. At the same time, try to get closer to the child so that the photographs turn out more portrait-like. Of course, you can capture a little of the interior, but don’t get too carried away. In the interior photographs, the baby’s facial expression and facial expressions are not visible, but the children have very lively and not childishly acting facial expressions.

Let's follow the child – we do not limit the child to only one space. If he wants to go to another room, we go. If he throws a toy under the table, we don’t help him, but watch how he gets it out himself. At the same time, don’t forget to take pictures and capture moments on the fly. I poured compote on myself - very good. How many emotions can run through this child's gaze for a few seconds. Give him more freedom, and you will see the whole spectrum of your kinder’s behavior: from a calm and sweet quiet person to an active and restless tomboy. Don't scold him during a children's photo shoot, let him throw out all his emotions. After all, this is a child, and sometimes he simply does not know how to behave in a given situation, so he tries to express himself in different ways to see your reaction. And this is only to our advantage, even if he misbehaves a little today, but then the whole family will look at truly amazing and unlike all other photographs.

I have described only the main points that need to be taken into account when conducting a children's photo shoot. If you have any other questions that you did not find answers to in my articles, write to me by email. I'm always glad to talk with you.

All in all! If you want to hold a photo shoot for your little one and are racking your brain for suitable ideas, then you are incredibly lucky! I made a small selection of unusually touching and drooling versions of children's photos. Believe me, your children will not be ashamed to show these shots to their friends, even when they become big and important people. Go.

1 I'm flying away in a big hot air balloon.

I just don't know what could be more adorable than a baby cheerfully sticking out of a makeshift balloon. I think it would be cooler if the colors in the photo and the balls themselves were a little brighter. But for lovers of delicate shades - just right.

2 Military coup.

Of course, no one would be particularly comfortable in Dad's pocket. Even if it is big and roomy. But for the tiniest models, this is a very cute option for a photo with dad. After all, the baby won’t sit there for an hour?..

3 A coward doesn't play hockey!

If sports are a big part of your life, why not use some equipment lying around here and there for a couple of photos?

4 Business sausage.

A child in adult clothes is super cute. Look how professional he can look in a big or small tie over his bare belly))

5 Pippi is a long stocking.

Traditionally, you can take a photo of the baby in cheerful socks with bright stripes. Well, a must-have for any self-respecting beauty is a photo with a beautiful bandage. Fun to shoot and fun to watch!

6 Be my Valentine!

Hearts of all colors and sizes - plush, cut out of cardboard, sewn from velvet - any will do for the first declaration of love.

7 Jumping bunny.

If you don't have such a cool hat with bunny ears, you can again make them yourself using all available means. The main thing here is not to be lazy, but to approach the matter creatively and with inspiration. After all, your baby deserves only this approach, right?...))

8 The Queen in Pearls.

Well, my favorite topic for photos. We have these pearls at home - as if a pirate stole them. So the child appears in the frame every now and then, hung with pearls of various stripes.

9 Favorite bear

Surely your home is full of all sorts of different plush toys. Sit your child down, surround him with soft friends, and touching memories are guaranteed.

10 Easter Bunny.

Another cute idea for a spring or Easter photo shoot. However, a baby that has just hatched from an egg will look amazing at any time of the year.

11 Happy New Year!

New Year is an almost inexhaustible source of inspiration. A baby looking enthusiastically at the Christmas tree, a baby caught in the rain, a baby in a cherub costume - I just don’t want to go for a walk!

12 Magic light.

Another variation for a New Year's photo. An angel in the light of garlands is just a 100% c-c-combo!

13 While you're sleeping...

This collection of photos is designed to show you how many amazing shots you can take while your baby is sleeping! And he rested, and you had fun)

14 There is a framed picture on my table...

And sometimes he lies down and sleeps. It’s just a sin not to take advantage of your angel’s peaceful sleep and not do whatever you want with him!)))

I'm talking about again New Year, but look what a gift Grandfather Frost brought you! Cover an ordinary basin with something red and get a red cap for 500 tenge and a great idea for a photoset is ready.

16 Basket question.

You simply must get a wicker basket if you want to take cute photos. Imagine a series of photographs where your baby first sleeps in it, placing his hand under his cheek, then sits, laughing with pleasure, and then displeasedly steps over the small and boring basket? I personally am ready to give birth to a second one immediately just for these photos!!!

17 A little nude

OOO, these folds! Those chubby legs and arms! Everyone should have naked pictures.

18 Gyulchatay, open your face!

Babies look really cool wrapped up in a blanket or scarf. Try it! You will see that I am not lying one bit.

19 This skirt is TUTU

Any girl has the right to be a ballerina. Even if her shape is far from ideal 90-60-90.

20 The Little Mermaid

It’s much easier to come up with ideas for photo shoots with girls than with boys. This is a fact, and it must be recognized and accepted. So you can always tell her the story of how dad caught her in the stormy sea.

21 Pumpkin carriage.

What girl doesn't dream of being in the place of a fairy-tale heroine? And even if your princess is still too young to dream of carriages and princes, dream for her!

22 Playing with colors.

If you are unbearably lazy to sit and pick a pumpkin, you can simply play with color as an accent. A bright accessory successfully matched to the color of clothing, even the most a simple photo will make it unusual and memorable.

23 Kisses

A win-win option for your family album.

24 Bookworm

A baby dozing off over a book, or intently looking at pictures - in any case, such a photo will make you smile and a lot of pleasant emotions.

25 And again pumpkin!

Here, in short, you have to get confused. It’s not enough to find a pumpkin that is suitable in size and condition; you also need to cut it beautifully and process it. Pumpkin is an interesting option, but not for the lazy.

26 Catch fish, big and small.

A great gift option for grandpa or dad. Especially if they are passionate fishing enthusiasts.

27 Sweet dreams

Here's a photo idea for twins.

28 Put out the fire!

If you manage to get a fireman's helmet somewhere, please lend it to me for a couple of hours. I really dream about my own little extinguisher of the burning fires of love in my heart!)))

29 The Great Gatsby

Well, where would we be without these breathtaking outfits in the style of the 20s of the last century? All these vintage outfits suit the little ones very much. Tested from my own experience)

30 Owl

Owls have the inexplicable ability to add +500 points of cuteness to a photo. I don't know why, but it is so.

31 Lion King

You can imagine it yourself, right? This lush fiery mane around a tiny face. I just don’t know where to get such a mane.

32 Boots

This option is not for the squeamish and those obsessed with cleanliness. Send your dad a WhatsApp message like a toddler is waiting for him at home, hugging his boots, and the father of the family will simply be obliged to immediately drop everything and rush home to sniff you.

33 Vintage suitcase

Surely your mother or grandmother has it. Even old and shabby, it will help you take an interesting photo.

34 Initials

The capital letter of your baby's name or the entire name. Fortunately, such letters are now made everywhere. And they are inexpensive.

And a couple of final tips. In order to make good ones that will delight you for many years, you don’t have to rush to a photo studio. You can shoot them perfectly at home. Children themselves are ideal models. They look good in almost all photos. Just try to do your photo sessions on a well-lit day. Bad light is a bad assistant in posing a photo. And don’t forget that this process should be enjoyable for both of you, or at least not disturb the baby. Then you will definitely succeed!

56212 Improving knowledge 0

How should you photograph children? This question is asked by many parents, which is why we dedicate this lesson in which we will help you with the choice of equipment and shooting parameters, give advice on layout and working with light, and also reveal the basics of communication with children necessary for their photography.

Traditionally for our photography school, all tips are divided into 2 parts - camera settings and actual shooting practice. And don’t let the lesson number confuse you - you will succeed! :)

Let's start with some tips for setting up your camera for photographing children.

Aperture priority mode. Shooting in this mode and high-aperture optics will allow you to control the depth of field (DOF), which is important for portrait photography, so that the background in the photographs is blurred, focusing attention on the subject. The optimal value will be f/2.2-2.8 (according to shooting conditions) for a portrait close-up, and f/2.8-4 for shooting a full-length portrait. These values ​​are conditional, used personally by the author of the lesson, and you can practically determine the settings of your camera that you consider more correct.

If your camera doesn't have aperture priority mode (i.e. your camera doesn't have manual settings), you can use portrait mode. When using this mode, the camera's automation will open the maximum aperture for the focal length you choose, reducing the depth of field.

ISO- Depending on where the photo is being taken (indoors or outdoors) and the light, set the ISO value to the lowest possible value to prevent noise. ISO at 100-200 - if the lighting is good enough. If the lighting is insufficient and the shutter speed at low ISO is long, you can compensate for this by increasing the photosensitivity, but I recommend no more than 800.

Excerpt- try to use 1/200 for static prophecy when your child is posing, and if children are not sitting still, go up to 1/500 or higher. As mentioned above, if there is not enough light and the shutter speed in aperture priority mode is set longer than 1/125, increase the ISO or open the aperture slightly. If your camera does not have manual settings, use the sports settings mode.

Focus mode- set the focus mode to one point - with children who are constantly moving, this will optimal mode. In simple point-and-shoot cameras, unfortunately, you cannot select the camera focus mode (maybe you should think about changing the camera?).

Image format when shooting- if you have the time and skills to process photos, then try to take pictures in RAW format. This will give more possibilities for post-processing. And again, I note that digital compacts do not allow you to choose the format for saving images.

Flash/Lighting- if there is a hot shoe connector in the camera, it is better to immediately refuse to use the built-in flash. If the photo is taken indoors, use an external flash to bounce the light pulse off the wall or ceiling (if they are white) or use a diffuser to get indirect light. If you don't have an external flash or the camera doesn't allow you to install one, try to take photos in natural light and don't worry about the flash (except for moments when you're shooting into the sun and you'll need flash fill light).

Lenses. If your camera has interchangeable lenses, then the choice is determined by the condition described at the beginning of the lesson - large aperture. When photographing children dynamically, it is necessary to use a zoom lens; when photographing statically - the best option There will, of course, be a lens with a fixed focal length. A TV zoom lens allows you to capture casual scenes from a distance, while a wide-angle lens allows you to take panoramic shots.

Now that the settings are complete, it’s time to move on directly to shooting practice.

Practice photographing children

Before giving specific advice on photographing children, it should be mentioned that the child should feel as comfortable and at ease as possible during the photographing process. You can show your child the photographs you took, let your child look at the camera, or let him take a few pictures himself.

The place where you will take photos, if it is situational, but try to think through 2-3 scenes in advance that you would like to capture. Shoot outdoors (for example, in a park or forest), and indoors (for example, a bedroom or a room where a child plays). Find a place with a simple, low-key backdrop for posing (and make sure there's no carpet behind you!). Choose places where children will find it fun and interesting, then you can photograph them in a relaxed atmosphere while playing.

Hidden photography- try to photograph children as secretly as possible. They can do their favorite things during this time. Use a TV lens.

Avoid staged shooting where a child, for example, sits among toys with a sour face and looks at them indifferently. The picture is called “Happy Birthday,” but another name suits it best: “This photographer got all your gifts.” Unfortunately, social media they are simply teeming with just such photographs.

Posing- older children love to pose, but small children are not very attentive to this and photographs in which they pose may look a little unnatural and forced.

Most best period for photographing babies - from 6 to 9 months. Then we have the most angelic faces, wide-open eyes and the most controlled mood. During this period, babies look at what is shown to them, lie where they are placed, and touch what is given. In general, ideal models. In a year or two, character begins to emerge. It depends on your luck. Maybe all the games that you have prepared for him will be completely uninteresting to him. At three or four, it is difficult to get children to stand in one place. Don’t even hope that you will put a small child in front of the lens and he will smile radiantly at you, turn in different directions and react to everything you say. Will not be. 100%. The film set turns into a playground for active games, and you always want to play in places other than where they are taking pictures. But closer to 5 years, a child can already pose well.

Take photos at the level of the child's face- ordinary Small child no higher than half your height, and if you photograph him from your height, the pictures will turn out ordinary and inexpressive, and the proportions of the child’s body will be disrupted. Therefore, sit down at the child’s eye level.

Using the zoom. Can be increased focal length zooming, but do not forget that in this case lenses with a variable aperture value reduce the aperture, and, accordingly, the shutter speed increases and the depth of field increases. It is better not to use the zoom, leaving the lens in a wide-angle position and taking pictures in the surrounding context, not forgetting that the children’s faces should also dominate the pictures, and not just the surroundings.

Focus on the eyes. Pay maximum attention to the child's eyes. Clear eyes in a photo will always draw the viewer's attention to it.

Background. Pay attention to the background of your photos. The background gives context to photos, but it can also distract attention from the main subject. Before shooting, remove all unnecessary objects from the frame. Experiment with backgrounds of different colors and textures, or, on the contrary, take a photo so that the background is not visible at all.

Cloth- choose clothes that the child will feel comfortable in and that will reflect his personality. It's also good to have several different costumes if the shoot will take place in different locations. Avoid bright, flashy colors and accessories in the frame - they distract attention from the child’s eyes and create a certain spot of color - the visual center of the photo.

To obtain original photos use continuous shooting mode.

Include other people in the frame as another way to help your child relax - add parents, brothers, sisters, friends, etc. This will add a sense of relationship to the frame and will distract the child from the photographer. Filming two children is more interesting than one, but also more difficult. Here the emotions of one child must coincide with the emotions of another, otherwise there will be complete confusion. Here, too, it’s easier to give them some kind of task and film what they do. Only then will the photograph not look artificial.

Make the photo shoot as fun as possible. Try to make your child happy by asking him to do some fun things, this will make the pictures more energetic and help the child relax. The more fun the child is, the more sincere and original his photographs will be.

Light scheme, which you will use indoors, should not be complex and difficult to customize. You tell the children to stand here, and they move half a meter to the side. And it is on the sidelines that the best personnel will be found. If your light is set to a specific point and a specific angle, you won't achieve much. It is easy to photograph children against a white background, where a step to the right or a step to the left does not play a big role, although, of course, you still need to monitor the light and, if possible, adjust it.

We will highlight photography in kindergartens and schools separately.

The production process of school photography requires careful organization. The fact is that photographing one class can usually take time comparable to one lesson. There are from twenty-five to forty-five students in a class. The lesson lasts forty-five minutes. Therefore, the photographer has only one minute for each portrait.

A portable studio in a miniature version consists of a studio flash with a power of 150 J (at a distance of 130 cm from the umbrella to the child’s eyes, it gives an aperture of 8), an umbrella with a diameter of 100 cm (moving the umbrella more than thirty meters from the eyes is bad. At the same time, it ceases to produce a soft cut-off pattern, but large-diameter umbrellas cannot be used: they take up too much space), a reflector to the right of the photographer (about twenty cm from the child’s shoulder) and a source of drawing light (ideally it should be positioned so that during the shooting process it is not needed too much) move frequently, approximately 20 cm above the child’s head, at an angle of 45 degrees to the lens axis).

Opening a hole even larger than 8 is bad, because there is no reserve of depth of field, and in case of the slightest mistake you can get a defect. Considering the pace of filming, it's best not to take risks.

During recess, children run wild and run around like meteors, constantly knocking over the fence of chairs built around the studio. It costs them nothing to knock any of the flashes onto the floor. Therefore, during breaks, filming stops, the photographer retrains as a security guard.

The lens should allow you to shoot a half-length portrait from an arm's length distance. This is important because every now and then children have to straighten their shirt collars, ties, and bangs. Portraits are characterized by a soft pattern, shallow depth of field and usually large aperture ratio.

When photographing a class, turn off autofocus and frame the frame so that the subject's head occupies three-quarters of the frame, there is not too much of the body, and there is a small space of blurred background above the head. Now focus on the child's eyes and seal the focusing ring with tape. The main thing is that the image scale of the heads does not change during the work. When they all come together in one cool vignette, the different-sized heads will look ugly. You will have to focus by changing the position of your own head: either approaching the client’s eyes, or moving away from them. Not very convenient, but the output standard of the product is guaranteed. One more important detail. At the moment of shooting, the camera mirror rises, and for a short moment you lose sight of the person. And at this very moment he strives to blink. There is only one way to avoid this during the shooting process: you need to look at the lens with one eye and directly at the child with the other and, if necessary, take a double. Avoiding mistakes by looking at the camera display every now and then is not an option - the pace of work will be disrupted.

On the eve of the shoot, children usually receive a lot of “useful” advice from their parents. A trained child, sitting on a chair in front of the photographer, inflates like a bubble, begins to straighten his hair, his collar, chew his own lips, or gives such a crooked smile that he is just about ready to burst out laughing. A lot in this case depends on the behavior of the photographer. You can’t let the child come to his senses. As soon as you sit him down and straighten his hair and clothes, immediately ask him some stupid question that has nothing to do with the shooting, but requires a switch of attention. For example: “How many kwa will there be every time?”, “What is the name of your cat?”, “Turn your nose a little to the left,” etc. You should have quite a lot of such blanks in stock so that the question is unexpected for each subsequent child.

Children usually stand in line outside the studio and watch everything that happens like a small performance in which the photographer is both a director and an actor at the same time. And whether children are interested in the performance depends on their behavior during filming. The moment a child hears a question, he willy-nilly switches his attention from the desire to be beautiful and control his facial muscles to thinking about an unexpected question. At this time his face takes on a natural expression. This is the moment of truth, catch it, pull the trigger. After a moment, the child will think about the question and respond: he will begin to talk, smile and again begin to play “handsome”.

You shouldn’t film children talking or squeeze smiles out of them if they themselves don’t smile at you with a full measure of trust. Uneven teeth or any glands in the mouth are very unsightly. It’s better for these guys not to open their mouths at all.

Children should not be allowed to stand directly behind you. They begin to make faces, show their horns, in a word, entertain the one who is already filming. This disrupts the rhythm of filming and prevents the creation of an optimal mood for the entire class. Confidence, goodwill, calmness, gentle tolerance for children's pranks and at the same time firmness in organizational requirements are absolutely necessary. If you can persuade the teacher to tidy up your tomboys, and you don’t waste time combing unruly tufts and putting collars and ties in order, you’ll be able to take down the whole class in forty-five minutes and still not create a marriage.

Higher grades are more difficult to film. The girls are all fashion models. They may sit on a chair with their back to the light because that side of their face seems better to them. Persuading someone to change seats is useless. It is necessary to prepare in advance for rearranging the light and mark on the floor where the umbrella stand will be installed. Large guys will have to be filmed while standing. Conversations with them and distractions should be more sophisticated and humorous. Commands in an orderly tone do not work. In a confrontational environment, filming goes poorly. Many guys have teenage acne. Therefore, stock up on good covering powder and concealer pencils. Accompanied by friendly laughter, the children will have to quickly paint their cheeks and foreheads, without listening to objections. The result is quite decent portraits without pimples and freckles. An alternative is computer retouching.

That's all for today. I hope the materials in this lesson were interesting and useful for you. Good luck and all your photography!

It is important to know children's developmental stages when photographing. Photographing a newborn baby, for example, is completely different from photographing a 6 to 9 month old baby. It's such a fun transition from a tiny newborn bundle to a giggling, bubbly little person. Photographing a baby at six months can be a real joy! The family has already been formed, everyone is accustomed to the fact that there is a child in the house, and individual family traits are reflected in it.

Set yourself up for success.

Be sure to talk to the parents before the shoot, make sure you choose a suitable time for the shoot when the child is rested and well fed. There is nothing worse than trying to make a tired and capricious child smile - he will squirm, cry, be capricious. Believe me, nothing good will come of this.

Often, if different people are trying to draw a child's attention in different directions, the child will look confused, you will spend much more time filming, and the child will be more tired. If baby is fussy, have mom or dad hold him to calm him down and you can take an over-the-shoulder photo. Focus on the eyes, they reflect curiosity and a great desire to explore the world.

Quick game.

Children from six to nine months do not have much patience. You can take a toy and make noise with it and then take a photo. If you try to get the perfect appearance, you will lose the patience of the child and the parents, and you will be the most unpopular person in the room.

What can you do with another six month old baby?

First of all, let's talk about the six month old baby. Most children at this stage have difficulty sitting still. You must ensure that the child does not fall or get hurt. If the child is already sitting, make sure that he is well balanced and has support - be it a soft pillow or the mother who is next to the child. Never leave a child unattended. If the child is not yet sitting, you can sit him in a corner or against a pillow and place toys nearby.

You can let the big sister hug the baby for an adorable sibling photo. Make sure you are on their level and photograph their point of view as well.

Another one interesting idea for a child who is not yet walking, this is to lie on his tummy. This can be tiring for your baby, so make sure you take a quick photo and move the toys to get his attention. If you're filming indoors, you may want to use a flash, but make sure it doesn't disturb your child.

Nine months is fun in the sun.

A nine-month-old baby is very interesting to photograph; he already knows about many things, but still remains obedient. They don't even realize they're being photographed, so they're just having fun with mom and dad. Many babies are not walking yet by 9 months, but they are trying. Try getting down to photograph a baby taking his first steps while his parents hold his hands.

Beloved and precious children - how much joy and magical moments of happiness, how much pride and inspiration they bring to their parents! But how quickly they grow - just have time to follow their wonderful changes.

In order not to forget anything important and to be able to admire them as little ones when they grow up, it is worth taking photographs of children more often, putting them in a priceless family album.

But how to photograph children so that the pictures turn out really good? Which camera is better to use? Finally, what do you need to know to take really good photos?

Why take baby photos?

Our kids are best models in the world, since they are always at hand, or rather, spinning under our feet.

There is no need to ask them for permission to film for fear of violating their personal space. In addition, you can always post the photographs you take on a blog or on a social network page (before the child turns 18, his parent can do this without fear of violating copyright).

Finally, all children grow and change very quickly. And when they grow up and begin to ask what they were like in childhood, you can always show them the treasured album with photographs depicting best moments carefree life.

In other words, create a whole chronicle of childhood, returning when viewing the album to this wonderful time.

Choosing a camera for shooting: point-and-shoot, film or DSLR?

The quality of the pictures directly depends on what camera they are taken with. Although popular digital point-and-shoot cameras are always at hand and much easier to buy, they are not very suitable for filming on the move. As soon as the child moves or jumps, the frame will be hopelessly “damaged.”

Or is that not true? And the best pictures are taken when the baby behaves spontaneously: plays, laughs, eats a plastic watermelon and smears drops of juice on his cheeks?

If you have such an opportunity, purchase for yourself a film or reflex camera, and you definitely won’t regret it.

When working with a film unit, you will have many wonderful moments developing the photographs taken together, and if you choose a DSLR, then the photographs taken with its help (if you approach the device correctly) will turn out simply amazing.

Setting up a DSLR camera

Diaphragm

Her correct setting allows you to adjust the depth of field, which is the most important rule high-quality photo. To do this, select an aperture value of f5.6.

If the camera does not have such a mode, simply turn on the “portrait” function. Her automatic settings They will independently open the aperture and reduce the depth of field, making the background and subject of photographs beautiful and clear.

ISO

The light sensitivity setting depends on where exactly you will photograph your child: outdoors or indoors. Light is also important here: if the room is dark, then for a high-quality photo you need to set the ISO to 200. When the lighting suits you, this parameter can be reduced slightly.

Excerpt

It's best to use 1/200 if your subject is sitting down. If the child is on the move, raise the level to at least 1/500.

Not enough light? Increase your ISO even further by opening the aperture slightly. Finally, if all else fails, just use the sports shooting mode.

Focusing

It is best to set its mode at one point, because children who are constantly running around will not give you the opportunity to focus the camera on your own.

RAW

In other words - the image format. Do you do photo editing? Then take photos in RAW format, and if not, then calmly work in JPEG mode.

Flash

An external flash is much better than the built-in one. If, in addition, the shooting takes place in a room with light walls, it is better to reflect the flash from the wall or ceiling.

Do not use the built-in flash when working in natural light. Remember: when shooting standing against the sun, it is better to turn on the flash to fill the frame.

Lens

It is best to choose cameras with a good zoom (for example, with a 70-200mm lens). It will allow you to photograph children from afar. As an option, take a wide-angle lens, which will help you photograph your child with funny distortions.

To work in a room where there is little light, it is better to choose a device with a fast lens.

How to photograph a child beautifully?

All babies are different. This becomes especially noticeable when you start photographing children: when one baby sits calmly and looks straight into the frame, the other one at that time cannot be caught even with all seven of them.

But even this is not hopeless: the more alive the child, the more interesting the pictures are. And if your active child does not want to pose, take this not only as a given, but also as a wonderful reason to take a good photograph.

Posing

First, let's look at those kids who love posing.

The first thing you should know when photographing such children is that you should take pictures from their height level (at a minimum, it should be at the toddler’s eye level).

It’s great if the baby takes a good pose on his own, but if this doesn’t happen, you can help him.

Recumbent pose

Have your baby lie down on the floor or grass. At the same time, he can spread out on the ground or lie on it, carefreely resting his head on his hands.

Toy to help

You can calm your child down and get him ready to take pictures by giving him his favorite plush friend. In addition, photographs with toys turn out very cute and gentle.

Active actions

You can try to photograph a child at the moment when he is playing or painting with watercolors. Keeping the kids occupied with something really interesting will help you get a great angle and a great photo.

In addition, when the baby is truly interested in what he is doing, he “poses” perfectly for you as a photographer.

Laugh louder

Moments associated with loud laughter or screaming are incredibly valuable for any photographer: it is at these moments that photos that are priceless are obtained.

Just don’t ask your baby to laugh artificially or forcefully—it’s best to avoid feigned emotions for real photographs.

Eat for your health

During shooting, you can use simple food: apple, watermelon, candy or ice cream. Let the child eat them with appetite, and you do not forget to click the shutter at this time.

How to photograph active children?

Behind the game

There is nothing more beautiful than a child who is passionate about play. However, you need to choose the right type of fun, since not all games are good for photography: the model in the frame may run away all the time.

To solve the problem, also be a director, and not just a photographer, and offer your child rules: ask him to play with a ball, or even better, take someone as an assistant.

Your assistant will not only play with the child, but will also make sure that he is positioned harmoniously in relation to the camera.

In the sun

A habitual, if not ordinary, walk is an occasion for taking good pictures. Moreover, if it’s a beautiful sunny day outside, which is perfect for shooting.

While playing with water

All the kids just love water and love to swim. Use this habit to your advantage, because what bigger baby experiences positive emotions, the more interesting the pictures turn out.

Use protection

One “but”: in this case, it will be easier to shoot for those who have a compact camera with a waterproof case. This device is needed primarily to protect the camera from water and splashes.

With the case, you can put your camera under water without fear or reproach and capture the brilliant moment when one half of your frame (and the model) is in the water, and the other is on land.

Taking photos in the apartment

Undoubtedly, it is more often (and more convenient) to photograph children at home. In order for the pictures to turn out well, give up the flash - you don’t need it. It's better to use natural light sources.

So, if the sweet sun is peeking into the room: invite your baby to play by the window sill and take a touching photo against the background of the window.

Making a family portrait

Do you want to take a photo with your child? A mirror will come to help you, in front of which you will need to position yourself. Do this so that the reflection of the playing baby can be seen in it. The more natural the photo, the better.

Want something more fun? Set the camera on a timer (10 seconds) and jump up to the model at the very important point. Just don't take pictures with your arm outstretched - you'll only end up with two distorted faces, not a family portrait.

We pay attention to details

Everything ingenious is simple and it lies in the details: take a photo of the baby’s cute foot, which dad is holding in his palms at this time. Remove the touching fingers that are tightly grasping your finger...

The more you pay attention to important details, the more you will be able to remember in the future, wiping away the tears of joy and happiness that have welled up in your eyes.

How to photograph small children and newborns?

There are a few important rules for photographing small children, and we will be happy to tell you about them.

Poses for shooting

• babies up to 1.5-2 months: it is better to remove them lying down, just do it not from above, but from eye level. You can capture the baby in dad’s arms or film his face peeking over his shoulder;
• toddlers 2-5 months: given that they already hold their heads well, it is better to photograph them lying on their tummy. A sitting position is suitable for shooting, just do not forget to give the baby something to distract his attention;
• children aged 6-9 months: it is better to photograph these little ones by lying down on the floor;
• babies 9-10 months and older: confidently standing and running, they will fit well into the frame if the photographer, standing in a knee-elbow position, catches up with them with a shooting camera.

Different angles

Since babies don’t know how to pose at this age, try to diversify your pictures by approaching them from different angles.

Shooting during the day

Daylight is better than electric light, and the baby is much more inclined to work at this time of day than in the evenings.

Filming a sleepy baby

Let's reveal a little secret: it is not at all necessary to wait for the child to wake up. You can take a few shots of a cute sleeping toddler - he will look great in the photo.

"No" to flash

It is better not to use a flash to photograph small children, since its bright and blinding light, coming from nowhere, can not only frighten the baby, but also negatively affect the retina of his eyes.

Don't be afraid to cry

A real photographer (in the studio, in kindergarten or on the street), will not be able to frighten a child’s cry, but if the baby’s mother takes the pictures, then this is a completely different matter.

However, you should not be afraid of crying: this is a normal picture in which the child will turn out well in the photograph. They clicked a couple of times and calmed the child down.

Close-ups

They help very well to convey fragility and tenderness. little creature and they turn out great if at the time of shooting the child yawns or smiles timidly.

Shoot more often

Your children are growing every day and are also constantly changing, so it makes sense to photograph them, if not every day, then at least a couple of times a week.

Keep your camera handy

In order not to miss an important moment, do not put your camera far away in the wardrobe, because in everyday activities you can find a lot of inspiration for a good portrait!

Whether it's swimming or a wellness massage, traditional breastfeeding or a walk in the park - in terms of plot, such shots are in no way inferior to staged ones.

Tricks and secrets of beautiful children's photos

Zoom and focus

By increasing the zoom, you can photograph your baby in the surrounding context. It is worth paying great attention to the child’s eyes, because it is they – bottomless and sparkling with happiness – that attract the attention of observers.

Background

A correctly selected background is one that does not distract the viewer from the main subject of photography. Remove unnecessary objects from the frame and experiment with different colors and textures of the space.

Non-standard approach

You can diversify your photographs by capturing not the “whole” child, but individual details: shoes, hands or eyelashes.

Cloth

The child should feel comfortable, and therefore for a photo shoot it is better to choose clothes in which he will be comfortable working as a model.

Continuous shooting

Using the possibility of continuous shooting, you will get beautiful pictures filled with originality and your own author's style.

Assistants

The baby will relax much faster if a familiar person is present in the frame with him: dad, grandmother, brother or sister. In addition, the presence of another character in the photo adds the charm of a relationship to the frame.

Safety rules when photographing children

Photographing children is not only a pleasant activity, but also quite responsible. Therefore, it is worth thinking not only about the rules for conducting it, but also about issues related to safety (both the model and the camera):

• do not forget to protect the lens with a special filter;
• Never leave the camera unattended or where it can be easily reached by a curious creature;
• purchase a special lens cleaning kit;
• hold the camera firmly in your hands, or even better, hold it with a strap thrown over your shoulder;
• take photographs more often so that the baby gets used to the camera and does not try to snatch it out of his hands;
• sneak up on your child unnoticed;
• show your child the camera and allow (within reason) to press its buttons;
• If your child still shows increased interest in the camera and you are afraid for the safety of the unit, just give your child a child’s camera so the two of you can start shooting.

What else do you need to know?

1. Growing in value every day, children's photographs should be carefully stored and a lot of space on your hard drive should be allocated for this.
2. It wouldn’t hurt to set up your camera correctly and shoot your child in RAW format.
3. You also can’t skimp on a memory card. Stock up on enough of them, since you will have to mercilessly delete many frames in order to keep the most interesting ones as a souvenir.
4. Save the originals of the photos in a separate place, and if you work in a graphics editor, then do this with a copy of the photo.
5. Over time, you will master the new capabilities of these programs and want to process your “first shot” in a much more interesting way. How will you do this if the original portrait is hopelessly lost?

Three main rules for shooting

Do it!

The one who does nothing makes no mistakes, so remember: by being afraid of ruining the photo and therefore not taking pictures of your child, you are making the most important mistake!

After all, even not the most successful photograph capturing a beautiful child is the best picture in the whole wide world!

Print photos

Don’t forget to not only take pictures of your baby, but also print pictures regularly. Many “modern” parents do one thing, but completely forget about the other, but a photo on paper is much more “live” than a computer one.

Organize your photo bank

Hundreds of similar pictures stored in a laptop? This is yesterday - there is no point in hoarding the same thing if you can choose the best and save yourself from looking through tons of slides in search of “the one.”

Summing up

No matter how hard you try to make it real good photo, do not neglect the services of professional photographers. That’s why sometimes it’s worth going with the whole family to a professional photo shoot.

Firstly, there you can relax and pose with your child. Secondly, you will be able to get into the frame beautifully, and not stand at the “slab” on the other side of the camera.

Finally, thirdly, a true professional will not only set the light correctly, but will also capture your family using professional equipment, retouching and unique talent.

All this will give you the opportunity to admire a real work of art in just a couple of hours or days. Enjoy your creative moments!

In photographing babies you can get very worthwhile experience. Yes, they can be unpredictable. But the joy of playing with them, of being able to capture their spontaneity and individuality, can be limitless. However, choosing appropriate subjects for children's photography can be challenging.

Wedding and portrait photographer Kelly Weech from Cheltenham describes several subjects suitable for children aged from birth to 2 years. This period is characterized by the continuous development of the baby. She offers several plots that will most fully help you show the individuality of the little hero at different periods of his development.

Newborn photography

In the first two weeks after birth, the baby sleeps a lot. This is the ideal moment to convey in photographs the atmosphere of purity and the beginning of a new life.

Newborn photography can be intimidating, especially if you don't have children of your own. The subjects that Anne Geddes depicts in her photographs have become very popular. But we do not recommend recreating them without proper preparation.

However, without following anyone else, you can find opportunities everywhere and create priceless photographs.

“The photograph of the baby, who was born just two days ago, was created as follows. The mother sat on the bed facing the natural light source and leaned the newborn against her shoulder. I photographed from such a distance as to closely capture the baby in the frame and capture his beautiful eyes and relaxed state.”

At four weeks of age

This is the next key date in the life of a newborn. At this age, the baby is already stronger and shows more activity. However, remember that the baby's head still needs to be supported.

Take advantage of this opportunity to create group portraits of the entire family. The parents' hands will play the role of a “pillow” on which the baby can sit comfortably. Thus, you will be sure that the child, supported by the caring hands of his parents, will remain as relaxed as possible.

“I took this photo using one of my favorite lenses - 24-105 mm. I love that I can refer to the details of an already perfectly composed plot.”

Three months

Patience is the strength of a children's photographer. Prepare a story and spend time looking forward to relaxed moments, such as rubbing your nose against a parent's support hand or yawning.

“Such moments “revive” stories and make them unique for every child.”

Four months

When your baby is four months old, you still have last chance to capture a child sleeping on the parent's arm. Starting at this age, the baby will become more active and less tolerant of such static scenes. In addition, after 4 months, the baby may already be too heavy for the parent to comfortably hold him in his or her arm.

“This story is very popular. However, take care of the baby's safety. Have the parent hold him a short distance from a soft, shock-absorbing surface. I place the child on one parent’s hand, so that the palm supports the head, and with the other hand I ask you to hold the baby behind the back.”

“Pay attention to the background. It should be long enough so that you can build the composition you want.”

Five months

At this age, the baby can sit with support. This allows you to implement a number of new stories and ideas.

“I took this photo when the baby was sitting on a sofa with pillows. They supported the sitting child. I decided to convert the original photo into a black and white photo in high key. I love the facial expressions and wide eyes here.”

Parts photos

Don't forget to photograph your baby's feet and hands while they are still small and inactive. Typically, from the age of six months, children begin to grow rapidly and gain weight.

“I photographed the baby’s hands and heels while he was sitting on his mother’s lap. I then “bleached” the images to highlight the shape and texture.”

Six months

Now most babies sit independently and become more sociable with the photographer. Shooting at this age can be a lot of fun because you are now creating the stories together. Now your interaction is two-way, unlike the previously discussed stories, where you positioned and directed the baby yourself.

“I took this photo during lunch. I called the baby by name, and he immediately responded to me with a look. Which is what I captured.”

“I love the naturalness of this photo. It shows what actually happens at lunchtime. I used an 85mm lens in combination with natural light to softly darken the background towards the edges of the frame. Thus, focusing the viewer’s attention on the baby’s emotions.”

Remember the details

A nursery is a great place to take pictures. Usually, here you can find a harmoniously decorated background for future photographs.

“Usually, when a baby is over six months old, he can roll, but cannot yet move fully. As a precaution, I asked the child's mother to sit on the side of the baby so that he would not slip.”

“Some parents call this period in a child’s life “tummy time.” Most The child should carry out his activities lying on his stomach. To capture the best angle of your baby's smile, ask mom (or someone equally cheerful) to sit behind you."

Eight months

The child becomes even more active. But he still needs an afternoon nap. This circumstance provides excellent opportunities for creating cute portraits.

“Even older kids get tired; they need to take a nap during filming. I find props in the child’s bedroom that I include in the composition of the future photo. This creates a nice twist in the plot.”

“I waited until the mother put the baby in the crib. She returned 5 minutes later - the baby was already fast asleep. And I took this picture."

One year

The so-called cake smash is a massive trend in children's photography, born in America and migrated to the United Kingdom. Tortolyap is perfect for expressing children's individuality through the familiar fun of dunking in sweets.

“I photographed in a 2x2 meter space with a washed floor. We sat the baby in front of the cake and suggested that she first pick up a raspberry and then completely dip her hands into the cake.”

“Once the baby realized she could eat the cake the way she wanted, I had the opportunity to take a series of unforgettable photographs. Mom was standing right behind me, and the baby was reacting to mom’s emotions and approval.”

Two years

Children will not interact closely with you if you act like an adult. As a children's photographer, you need to revive the child's mentality in yourself in order to become an interesting subject and attract him to cooperate.

Get down to the children's level and enjoy being with them. Simply put, play with them and make it fun. Run, jump, jump, make faces and play tag.

“If you are a children's photographer, build a trusting relationship with your child. For at least half of the entire photo session, let him express himself as he pleases. Then he will want to do what you want."

To see more of Kelly's portraits and newborn photography, visit her page on