How to Photograph Babies and Young Children

[Sh4x]

Thanks for this. I'm in the child market myself so it's nice to get some perspective on it.

[Sparhawk of Reed Court]

I see all of the stuff you put into the site here and you and benji add so much . I shot professionall i use the term loosely from 1979-1986 and wish i had some one like you to teach me. I agree with the squeeky toys and clickers. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us .

[Nada Almashat]

that's cool thank you I'll be reading it later on, I needed such a topic long time ago because photographing babies n children is very difficult!

[akit]

useful article, thanks!

[Steve_in_FL]

Ed, thank you so much for this tutorial. The generosity of people like you and Benji is amazing.

Just one question: I guess it would be considered inappropriate to nail certain hyperkinetic kids feet to the floor as an aid to getting good portraits, huh? : )

[Ed Shapiro]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Perhaps a bit of Velcro- That's a joke.

There are baby posers (devices) which can restrain kids gently but you can't use nails, straps, screws, glue or drugs! Anything else constitutes abuse and that ain't funny You need to follow my suggestions and cajole all kinds of kids into doing what you need them to do. Patience, perseverance and love of children are the requirements.

Seriously - Never make jokes about child abuse. In today's day and age there are so many cases of hideous acts perpetrated against children that even a silly remark can bring the police to your door. I even have a rule and a business policy of forbidding any kind of reprimanding or punishing a child in my studio if they do not behave or follow my instructions. Gentle coaching is encouraged but no slapping, spanking, shaking, hitting or yelling- not in my shop! Besides those acts are against the law! I have had some parents (over the years) say "if you don't be a good boy/girl the photographer will spank you"! I simply send them home- no charge- no fee- GOODBY!

Ed

[mchinault]

I loved the article! Thank you for taking the time to write, and post it.

[Gerald]

Thank you for your tutorial, very helpful!

[jerryph]

Photos won't help as much as this text does. If you need photos of specific kinds, look for Anne Geddes for newborn and baby pics and then go visit flickr, do a search and find an additional 10,000 or so photos of babies to kids to teens and peruse to the limits of your patience.

In this case, the info is what is going to give you more value than looking at a photo.

[sentaser]

Thanks a lot ! Will need this next time i go visiting my little cousins.