Tips for photographing kids/ Bay area photographer

I recently had a sibling photo session so I thought I’d share some of my tips and tricks for capturing real emotion and connection. These tips work best for ages 5 and up.

1. Break the Ice. Find one spot to have them sit or stand. I immediately break the ice with some Would you Rather Questions. For example, after I get them “posed” I’ll say, “I have a super important question to ask you. Would you rather sleep with a dirty diaper or a rotten fish tonight?” Immediate chuckles and giggles will follow. After a few of these questions the kids are more relaxed and in a playful mood.

2. Follow their lead. Kids are adventurous and curious and will almost always wander off and find something to sit on or look at. I followed this little girl to this old stump I didn’t even notice and some of my favorite images from the session were taken there.

3. Ask them to play. Have them skip down a path, jump on each other’s back, climb trees, collect flowers, etc. When kids are playing they are in their true element. Capturing real, raw emotion and connection is easy when kids are at play.

4. I Bet I can Guess Game. This game never fails when it comes to getting smiles. I’ll “pose” the kids and play this game. I’ll say, “I bet I can guess your middle name. I think its….Cheeseburger? Cinderalla? French Fry?” I’ll also say, “I bet I can guess your favorite movie…I bet it’s Frozen (great for boys and then I’ll sing Let it Go!)” I’ll sing the song off key and totally terrible but it always gets laughs.

5. Keep them moving. Kids can get impatient and bit antsy if you stay in one spot too long. Keep them moving. You can always take a break from one area/spot and come back to it.