Children are amazing!! They bring happiness wherever they go and make everyone around them smile. Despite being wild at times, kids will always be remembered with fond memories. It’s important to get kids photographed once they start to grow up so that we can keep them young in our minds. once in a while. They'll love seeing their photos when there older, and you'll get some great memories too.
children photography
Your child’s a huge part of your life – and by huge, I mean HUGE!
The instant they’re born, your life changes for good; the way you spend your time changes too. You go out of your way to help them grow and enjoy themselves, without really realizing how quickly they’re growing up – their little antics are the perfect disguise.
Then, before you know it, they’re walking, talking (a lot), and blowing out more birthday candles than you have fingers. I guess you could say time really does fly, especially when you’re having fun raising a child. Corny I know, but nevertheless it’s just one of the reasons why documenting their younger years with children’s photography, is essential.
Repeating a child photography session every few years is a great way to document their development.
Why should I book a children's photoshoot?
What happens on a children's photoshoot?
Your child gets ALL the attention – sorry Mum & Dad.
I should’ve renamed this shoot playtime because that’s essentially what it is. Your child has half of the shoot to roam free, while I catch them on candid camera. They could be exploring your chosen location, playing a game of hide and seek or pulling funny faces in your direction.
Combine these candid captures with the other, slightly more posed half of a children’s photography shoot, and we achieve a broad mix of images, brimming in character, charm and attitude.
*If you have any particular poses you’d like to achieve, or your child’s a natural model and you want to go down the more posey route, do let me on the day.
WHAT AGE GROUPS DOES CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY COVER?
IS THERE A DRESS CODE FOR CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY?
WE’RE A VERY CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY. CAN SIBLINGS STAR IN THE SHOOT TOO?
IT’S RAINING - DOES THAT MEAN MY CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY IS CANCELLED?
FAQs
IF MY CHILDREN MISBEHAVE, WILL THIS AFFECT MY PHOTOGRAPHY?
DO YOU REQUIRE ME TO BRING ANYTHING TO A CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?
MY CHILD’S REALLY NERVOUS. DOES THIS MEAN CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY IS OFF THE CARDS?
HOW MANY SHOTS WILL I ACHIEVE WITH A CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?
WHAT AGE GROUPS DOES CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY COVER?
Practically any.
While the majority of children’s photography sessions are booked for someone who’s under the age of 15, that doesn’t mean to say they wouldn’t work for anyone older. Heck if you’re knocking on 80 but you’re still a child at heart, that’s good enough for me.
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IS THERE A DRESS CODE FOR CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY?
Nope.
When children’s photography is all about being yourself, the last thing I want to do is impose is a dress code – they have enough of that at school. Although, I do have some advice.
While you’re free to wear whatever they like, I would suggest avoiding bold colours and flashy patterns as they can very easily draw attention away from the face. If you do want to get some pattern in there, try a neutral.
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WE’RE A VERY CLOSE-KNIT FAMILY. CAN SIBLINGS STAR IN THE SHOOT TOO?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
If you wish to have more than one star in your shoot, you’re more than welcome, be they a sister, brother or cousin. Group pictures add a whole new dimension to your child photography as they typically throw up more candid poses.
*If your child is sometimes unsettled behind the camera, then group shots may also be a better option. Siblings can often be a good distraction.
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IT’S RAINING - DOES THAT MEAN MY CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY IS CANCELLED?
Not necessarily, although it will depend on what type of shots you’re after.
If you’re after some pictures of a younger one in their swimsuit on the beach, then yes, a rainy day wouldn’t be ideal. But if you’re after some cute pictures of your toddler it could actually work in your favour. I’m yet to meet a little person who doesn’t have a fetish for splashing around in puddles and getting messy, so catching them having fun in their rain suit and wellies, may actually work out better.
*If a rainy shoot isn’t up your street, then don’t worry. We could always take your shoot into the studio.
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IF MY CHILDREN MISBEHAVE, WILL THIS AFFECT MY PHOTOGRAPHY?
No, but it may delay the shoot.
Luckily for you, I have the patience of a saint so if our model is a bit tetchy or shy about having their photo taken, I’m not going to suggest you just reschedule and call it a day.
I’ve worked with children many a time in the past and know how to keep a smile on their face. If they feel uncomfortable or a bit giddy, I take them off to the side and give them a 1-1 shoot, meaning they get all the attention, or at least until they’re settled.
But to be honest, most children enjoy being photographed and behave in front of the camera. Well, either that or I just attract well-behaved clients.
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DO YOU REQUIRE ME TO BRING ANYTHING TO A CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?
No, you can just bring yourself and your young model if you like.
Although if your little one has a favourite toy or blanket, it’s always good to bring that along too. For me, it was a teddy bear called Baba. Whereas if your child’s slightly older, you could substitute this something like their skateboard or favourite football. But like I say, that’s completely up to you.
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MY CHILD’S REALLY NERVOUS. DOES THIS MEAN CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY IS OFF THE CARDS?
I appreciate how daunting children’s photography can be.
Having someone you’ve never met before pointing a big scary lens at you and making clicking sounds can be a lot to take in, especially if you’re a junior. So what I usually say in the case of children’s photography is that to ease your child’s nerves, I’ll try my best to meet them beforehand, as doing so should also give us a chance to discuss possible locations and preferred shots.
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HOW MANY SHOTS WILL I ACHIEVE WITH A CHILDREN’S PHOTOGRAPHY SHOOT?
Lots. On a typical shoot I can take a couple of hundred images. How many you receive depends on the package that you opt for, how many poses we try out and how picture friendly our model is.
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This mostly depends on the age you’d like your child to be when they’re photographed. There’s no real age limit on child photography, so it could be your child is 2 or 12. I even take ‘big kids’ so don’t let age put you off.
Saying that, if you’re struggling for ideas, here’s a few to get you thinking…
When should I book my children's photoshoot?
Starting school – catch them in a mix of their own clothes and their very first school uniform.
Birthday time – book a children’s photography shoot for their birthday. If you’d like to dial this up a notch we could turn this into a cake smash or their very own photography birthday party!
Christmas cheer – dress them up in a festive outfit and have them strike a pose. These shoots work really well for a family Christmas card.
Toothless – loosing their first tooth is a big deal for them, so why not make a big deal out of it yourself and catch it on candid camera?
Learning to Toddle – Document some of their first steps through a children’s photography session.
Spontaneous – pretty much as it sounds. Surprise them one weekend with their very own photoshoot.
In the case of child photography, booking 12 weeks in advance is my usual advice, especially if you’re after a certain date or time. But that’s not to say that last minute bookings are impossible – in some cases they can fit in rather well. Only I wouldn’t rely on this being the case as I don’t like to disappoint.
