Need advice- lots of tips clear and concise.

I am trying to break into the people photography business. I want to focus on high school seniors, but need to build my portfolio, so I am right now shooting for free. I have a friend who wants to take advantage of this, but her children are 2 & 4 and are completely wild and basic little shits. Sorry to be so mean but I have heard stories through our Pre-School that make me cringe. That's the background.

Now for the tips- how do I best shoot in the scenario? I will probably have 15 minutes to shoot the kids before they go ballistic. I have been told they don't behave well in the heat, but I have no lighting so we need to be outside and well it is summer time here. What tips and tricks do you guys have up your sleeves? I know bring a few toys, use a tripod and a remote, and patience. Any tips on posing? What works best? Any good props? This is all new and I don't want them to suck so I can build on these images.

If you are shooting a low budget movie, it's best if you rehearse over and over again, so you don't waste film on the shoot. The same is true with this scenario. You'll need to spend some non-photography time with them. They need to get to know you and become comfortable with you being there. Have your camera with you. Let them ask questions about you and photography and maybe look into your camera (while you hold it). They're at an inquisitive age.

Then be patient, and wait for those special moments that ALL children give you. They let their guard down and become giggly "kids".

Be focused and ready to "click".

HTH,

Matthew

For me too kids are hard to wrangle. The biggest thing I could say is get a flash, even an inexpensive one will help, it can help you stop the motion of the kids and if they actually sit still, nice portraits can be made. Flash photography can be a trick to learn but it takes practice.

Catch them in unguarded moments too

mj~shutterbugg wrote: I am trying to break into the people photography business. I want to focus on high school seniors, but need to build my portfolio, so I am right now shooting for free. I have a friend who wants to take advantage of this, but her children are 2 & 4 and are completely wild and basic little shits. Sorry to be so mean but I have heard stories through our Pre-School that make me cringe. That's the background.

Now for the tips- how do I best shoot in the scenario? I will probably have 15 minutes to shoot the kids before they go ballistic. I have been told they don't behave well in the heat, but I have no lighting so we need to be outside and well it is summer time here. What tips and tricks do you guys have up your sleeves? I know bring a few toys, use a tripod and a remote, and patience. Any tips on posing? What works best? Any good props? This is all new and I don't want them to suck so I can build on these images.

I wouldn't use a tripod for kids. Just shoot at a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action. You should get down on their level. Go to a park with swings or slide, give them a ball, their fav toy to hold. Other tricks for small kids is to put a sticker on their finger, gives them something to look at for a different pose. Squeek toy to get their attention. The mother should help out to.

Nikonjan wrote:

mj~shutterbugg wrote: I am trying to break into the people photography business. I want to focus on high school seniors, but need to build my portfolio, so I am right now shooting for free. I have a friend who wants to take advantage of this, but her children are 2 & 4 and are completely wild and basic little shits. Sorry to be so mean but I have heard stories through our Pre-School that make me cringe. That's the background.

Now for the tips- how do I best shoot in the scenario? I will probably have 15 minutes to shoot the kids before they go ballistic. I have been told they don't behave well in the heat, but I have no lighting so we need to be outside and well it is summer time here. What tips and tricks do you guys have up your sleeves? I know bring a few toys, use a tripod and a remote, and patience. Any tips on posing? What works best? Any good props? This is all new and I don't want them to suck so I can build on these images.

I wouldn't use a tripod for kids. Just shoot at a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action. You should get down on their level. Go to a park with swings or slide, give them a ball, their fav toy to hold. Other tricks for small kids is to put a sticker on their finger, gives them something to look at for a different pose. Squeek toy to get their attention. The mother should help out to.

Good advice!

I'm assuming that your 50mm macro is a pretty fast lens (lets more light through), I would choose that one simply to get a faster shutter speed, good focal length for portraits. with a fast lens you can shoot in aperature priority for a nice portrait and in 90 seconds when they get squirrely ( give up on the dream of 15 minutes) you can switch to shutter priority with a setting of .... oh say 1/320 to 1/500 sec to freeze the action. You shouldn't need a flash during daylight hours UNLESS you want to add a little fill light as long as you have a fast lens on your camera body.

This age group seems to be most common of my sessions these days. They are at a great age to try simple posing. (Complex poses won't last long enough for you to get focused on much less shoot) Make sure it is a pose that is comfortable & natural for them. If you do plan on posed images..take them in between candid shots. It will let the kids get a chance to burn up the energy they stored while posing & keeps them from becoming bored.

I have found that bubbles allows some really good candid shots & keeps the youngsters from roaming off for a bit. If you have good lighting you may be able to capture the rainbow of color in the bubbles. My example below was taken at a bad time of day so it is a bit overexposed, but the pose is a good one for kids the age range you indicated. Another trick I use to keep them interested is to let them see the picture on the LCD screen that I just took. This age range loves to see themselves on the camera. You may find that they will be more open to posing for you.

Ok, the example below has several images, some strong & some that are not so good, but the posing was the reasoning behind the choices. All the children in this grouping are from 2 yrs to 4 yrs old. Take a variety of angles & close-ups as well. Good Luck & I hope this info helps a bit.

I specialise in childrens photography and it can be very hard, even to the point where getting an image can be impossible, dont use a tripod, hand hold, iso400, 1-250th around f8 or aperture priority set at f8, stay down on the floor, if they are inquisitive then let them look at the camera, tell them what you are doing, "getting some nice photos for mummy can you help me", have some drinks at the ready, if there are tantrums walk away for 5 mins while mum does her best, dont take it to heart if they refuse, and stop taking photographs for free as soon as you can, your services are worth something, you should at least be covering expenses or charging per print.
Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

photobod wrote: and stop taking photographs for free as soon as you can, your services are worth something, you should at least be covering expenses or charging per print.
Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

I need models for my portfolio. I am giving one print per kid and then if she wants more charging 50% off my price list so $11.00 for an 8x10. I am using bait to get free models

mj, that's exactly the way I have my portrait students begin. You build a clientele by showing your work, not by posting ads.

And while you portfolio build, you get a chance to hone your skills and establish policies without needing a business license. You can't have a successful business without both.

Once you have "business" then go into business (license, taxes, etc.). Not before.

WTG

PS after doing this as a "job", many decide they prefer it as a hobby. You need to really love what you do before you display your "pro" plaque.

mj~shutterbugg wrote: ... but her children are 2 & 4 and are completely wild and basic little shits. Sorry to be so mean but I have heard stories through our Pre-School that make me cringe.

.... I have been told they don't behave well in the heat, but I have no lighting so we need to be outside and well it is summer time here. What tips and tricks do you guys have up your sleeves? I know bring a few toys, use a tripod and a remote, and patience. Any tips on posing? What works best? Any good props? This is all new and I don't want them to suck so I can build on these images.

Duct Tape and a dart gun come to mind ....

Sounds like you should switch to pets .... most behave better then kids.

photobod wrote: I specialise in childrens photography and it can be very hard,

Hang on?! I thought you did weddings...