Children's pre-school portraits - Guildford portrait photographer

Taking a child's portrait photograph

When in a studio setting, remember that the whole environment can be very overwhelming. The child has never met the photographer and didn't request the photo shoot so there is no reason why they should just perform instantly in front of the camera.  If the children are very apprehensive about the studio setting, take a picture of a toy they have brought along or take a picture of them with their parent or guardian, so they can see how the lights will flash, that it does not hurt, this is very useful during nursery and pre-school photography . Also, they often love seeing themselves in the image preview on the back of the camera – although don’t fall into the habit of doing this every picture every time you press the shutter button.

To save time on image retouching in the post production stage, check for clean faces and hands, before you start taking the photographs. Try to get the parent or guardian to bring a clean tee-shirt in case of an accident early on in the shoot, and watch out for noses.  It is far quicker and more effective to get it right in the camera than try to correct things in retouching after the event.

Don't rush, crouch down to their eye-level and talk to the child; find out the toys they like, talk about a film or television programme they enjoy watching to get them chatting.

Once I have started the portrait session I find that keeping the conversation going helps to make them animated and forget their shyness, getting them to recite their favourite song can often produce the most endearing mannerisms.  Place your helps that are interacting with the child near you and at the camera angle level, so that eye contact from the child is towards the lens.