Photography 101

The Challenge

The most important thing to know about photographing children is to let the child act like a child! Children have a short attention span so be prepared before you bring them in front of the camera. You need to commit yourself to the task, so learn to be an entertainer in addition to a photographer. Don’t scrub off all their personality during the shoot. Let them come as children-relaxed and charming. Remember that the mood of the child will reflect your mood, and he/she will pick up on any tension you are feeling.

1. Have some fun with them during the shoot.
2. Play some of their favorite music.
3. Suggest special items or toys from home that will get the child’s attention and make them smile. Candid photos of children playing with these items are sometimes more endearing than awkward posed shots with unnatural smiles.
4. Collect some fun props to use in some of the portaits (ie old time hats, ball glove, feather boas, brightly colored scarves, etc). These can bring out the child’s personality and will make them laugh and grin.
5. Whenever possible try to use natural light with Children. The flash often scares and confuses them, or they blink or squish up their face. If you do need to use your flash, bounce it or diffuse it for better results.
6. It is inappropriate to photograph any child in the nude if they are older than an infant, and even in that case, only bare bottoms are acceptable.

Judging / Voting Criteria

Vote for the photos that are the best captures of children as natural, relaxed, and having fun.

Rewards & Prizes

Winner will be featured artist, Top Ten will be featured on the front page. Two non-placers will be chosen by moderator to also be featured!

Additional Information

AS ALWAYS:
Enter only photos with little or no post processing. No cards, no clothing designs, no words on photos, no excessively post processed images please. If any of these are entered it is the hosts choice remove them without notice.

For this challenge:

1. Photos should NOT be of teens. Please only children from 0-12.
2. Photos can be portraits, candids, or respected body parts (feet/hands/from behind/etc).
3. All photos enterd that contain ANY nudity will be removed without notice.

Cover Image

Dreaming of my NDS! by Squealia