Any ideas on how to convey to photographer that we would like very artsy children photography?

Question

We're finally splurging on some hopefully great pictures of our girls. However, I want more than pictures, I would like pieces of art. Close-ups of extreme expressions, side views of the face, and random pictures of hands, feet, silhouette, -- Is this classified as a certain type of photography? How can I convey this exactly to the photographer?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I would approach this from two different directions.

1. Find some examples of what you want and show them to the photographer.

2. Interview various photographers and ask to see their portfolios. Average professional portrait photographers tend to gravitate to a personal style. If one does it day in and day out, one falls into patterns from which it is an effort to break out. You'd be better choosing someone who has already done the kind of work that you seek.

Answer 2

I think you expressed your desires quite well here. Tell your photographer just what you said here and tell them ahead of the shoot so that their creative juices can get to work ahead of time. It would help if the photographer knew what your kids looked like prior to the shoot.

Answer 3

The only fool proof way is take examples of what you mean to show the photog. Your idea of artsy and someone else's might be entirely different.

Answer 4

Just tell him/her exactly what you just told us. If they're a good photographer, they'll know exactly what you mean and they'll produce the kinds of photos that you want. The word I think you're looking for is candid, not portrait. Portrait shots are the kind of photos you'll get at a Wal-Mart or Sears....candid photography is the kind of artistic photos you'll get from a professional photographer.

Hope I helped! And good luck with the pictures!

Answer 5

What you probably want is a location portrait work not a studio portrait. Talk to the photographer and describe what you want as you did here. Then they will just hang out a while letting the child get used to them, talking with you and taking some shots of the child. Once the child is used to them being there and taking the occaisonal shot its more likely that the child will play naturally and that is when the best expressions are caught. Add in favorite toys, pets or play games with them that you know they enjoy. Act as if you do not even notice that the pictures are being taken or at the least taht its not a big deal and its a normal occurance. The child will often key off your reactions. Occaisonally these shots jump out at you in the first few moments but more often they are the result of taking your time and not rushing things.  

Then when you look at the proofs in addition to the "artsy" ones that were taken look for the pictures in the picture on all of them. Can the image be enlarged and cropped to only show a certain part that you want ? If so tell the photographer and they can certainly do that for you

I hope this helps