Photographing children...critique and advice please :)?

Question

Hey all, I love photographing children. These are my latest:

http://sappygolucky.deviantart.com/art/For-Mommy-95669689

http://sappygolucky.deviantart.com/art/Squints-94991120

http://sappygolucky.deviantart.com/art/Someone-Needs-A-Wash-95298600

http://sappygolucky.deviantart.com/art/Gage-95670560

http://sappygolucky.deviantart.com/art/Tortoise-Whisperer-95297667

Are they any good? Any tips and advice for photographing children? Thanks!

Answer 1

They are such cute kids!  Okay, first, watch your backgrounds.  Try to keep them as uncluttered as possible.  The first picture has something off to the left that was a bit distracting.  

The lighting in the second one was a bit harsh, and made the little girl squint.  Try it a little softer, maybe from a bit farther back.  Shine the light across more of her face, instead of ending it at the mouth.

The third one made me smile as big as her cute smile!  If the background was all trees, it would have been even better though.

The little boy in the 4th one was ever so precious!  But again, the background is an issue.  It's terribly bright, and there's something off to the side that distracts.  Try portraits in the shade.  It softly filters the light.  Step back a bit and zoom in.

The girl with the turtle is another cutie, but again, I'd try it zoomed in from farther back, with a plainer background.

You did a great job getting them relaxed and smiling for the camera.

Answer 2

Just go easy on ones like the 2nd.

I had a friend who was asked questions by the police 'cos he had some head & shoulder photos of his daughter with bare shoulders.

I know it's stupid- but they're paranoid about that kind of thing.

Answer 3

1. I like it.

2. Light is a bit harsh for my tastes, and she looks like she's about to cry, but it's interesting.

3. Cute, but there's a roof-line coming out of her head.

4. Not my favorite. Background needs work (again, something coming out of his head)

5.  Nice idea, but without the hairline there, her forehead looks huge.  Kinda like that old rule: if you show the elbow, show the hand or the arm looks chopped off.  This makes the top of her head look flat.

Children are tough.  They get bored with the process very easily.  Best thing I can recommend for that is to take A LOT of pictures as you may catch the right expression.  And get down on their level rather than shoot down on them; we all look down (literally) on kids, so taking a shot while you're squatted or seated on the ground will give the picture a new perspective.  

Depending on the age, learn some silly jokes -- they love them.

Answer 4

I think candid ones are much cuter than when you say, "hey jonny smile for the camera!" because then they make silly smiles and don't look their usual cuteness...your pictures are very good though. but candid is easier too

Answer 5

I think they're pretty good. I would try action shots and candid moments so it would look more natural. You could also mix up angles and portions of the picture (like have the child in the left thrid of the image, rather than the center and so forth). Good luck!

Answer 6

Wide angle lenses aren't very good for portraits... as you may have noticed, the boy's head is extremely large compared to his body.

Nice try on the second one... but the difference in light and shadows is extreme.

A lot of these appear to be snap shots.