photographing babies

[Lois]

I recently went to my friend's baby's 1st birthday party. I took a couple of pics and she liked them so much she's asked me to go round in 2 weeks and take some 'proper' pics of him.
Anyone got any tips for photographing 1 year olds?!

[htmlbloke]

Candid, candid, candid

Done a couple of 1st birthday parties, and the best shots are when they least expect it. What lenses do you have? I used the 50mm f1.8 and 70-200 (arghh, both were stolen, not by the 1 year olds..). Anyhow, take a flash and bounce of the ceiling if the lighting is terrible.

Also, take lots of shots

Etited to add, just read your post again and see you already did the party

Try and get the kids outside playing and just linger about in the background.

Edited by htmlbloke on Monday 22 November 22:51

[ian in lancs]

dont!

[ian in lancs]

In a party I wouldn't use flash - too unatural. Put on auto iso, min shutter speed 1/125 to freeze action and as said above shoot candid so telephoto for face & expressions and maybe a 50mm for contextual. Shallow depth of field to throw the background out of focus.

For more posed I'd use a softbox (wide spread of light) or as said above bounce the flash but watch for colour casts from reflected light - use a grey card or you could process them black and white though.... Not seen that done before lol.

Think about what they'll wear. Clothes that are heavily paterned will look fussy. Simple plain colours are best. Light colours for light skin and stronger colours for darker skin. Also think about staging and decluttering the background. Where will they be shot? Is it a clear plain floor or paterned carpet. Is there a plain rug, can you use, or a quilt laid on the floor.

Judicious use of toys works too - but make sure they're in good condition.

Keeping them in one place will be fun... A friend uses either something to sit in (a suitcase is a 'boat' apparently) or mark a 'magic square' on the floor they will be happy to stay within.

Shoot the first few with parents in shot, maybe playing a game with the child, to reduce the tension in both parent and child. Get them used to the flash going off. Keep the mood light - don't let the parents get stressed cos it'll end in tears! Do the prep, have a laugh and it'll be fine.

Oh, one last thing. Avoid shooting down onto the child. Eye level is king! Be prepared to grub about on the floor!

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 23 November 07:40

[vtecstu]

Since there's a thread on it... What should you do about a flash when taking photos of babies? Have a 3 month old nephew and always a bit wary of blinding him. (should add that I only have the fixed flash, not a handheld, so bouncing off something I assume isn't an option)

[ian in lancs]

vtecstu said:

Since there's a thread on it... What should you do about a flash when taking photos of babies? Have a 3 month old nephew and always a bit wary of blinding him. (should add that I only have the fixed flash, not a handheld, so bouncing off something I assume isn't an option)

I wouldn't use direct flash on a baby for two reasons, blinding and startling. It's also quite harsh. With a fixed flash i'd either not use it and shoot high iso or difuse it with a plain hankey or tissue paper. Depending on the camera it might not be powerful enough difussed.

I shot a six week old baby with a SB600 off camera flash difused through a thin cotton sheet. Worked a treat - nice soft even light. Like window light really.

[Simpo Two]

I sometimes photograph babies (as part of a wedding, not posed portraits). I use bounce flash and they don't even notice it, they just keep staring at the lens. Mind you I'm only taking one or two photos and it's over quickly.

[vdubbin]

[01101001]

Make sure they have some toys to play with or they will get bored within about 10 seconds. Here is a 1 year old from a studio shoot last week.

[Zod]

Don't try to pose the child. Just make sure the child has toys or some other distraction to keep him/her busy and that you have enough lighting and/or a fast lens if you are indoors. Take lots of shots.

Some of my most successful shots of my kids have been taken with a long lens outdoors when they haven't noticed me.

[M-J-B]

[quote=ZodSome of my most successful shots of my kids have been taken with a long lens outdoors when they haven't noticed me.
[/quote]

Totally agree Zod.

Much like the wedding I did - alongside the official photographer, but I had shots that captured moments rather than poses.

[thinfourth2]

Its easy you just have to keep them in one place

[LongQ]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sedation.

Also make sure you get a CRB check or a signed authorisation from the parent(s). You wouldn't want the wee mite turning up in 20 years from now, having been tortured by its parent(s) showing your pics to every passing stranger during that time, and seeking revenge by claiming some sort of 'unusual' or 'inappropriate' activity took place ....

[Gemm]

I agree about the long lens too. Also get down to their height.

[M-J-B]

Gemm said:

I agree about the long lens too. Also get down to their height.

Right down to their height


Sam 14/11/2010 by Martin_Bennett, on Flickr

[muppetdave]

I did some of a friend's littlun in the summer and a key thing is to keep them smiling and not getting too restless, so make sure you have a bit of a plan in mind. DPS has had a couple of written bits with some ideas recently:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/differen...

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/baby-tim...

The second one I found to be more informative, wish I'd seen it before I had a go!

1.


2.


Ps. Handywipes should be kept close to hand, they get grubby quickly!

[Fetchez la vache]

01101001 said:

Make sure they have some toys to play with or they will get bored within about 10 seconds. Here is a 1 year old from a studio shoot last week.

They are lovely!