Don Loseke
(K=32503) - Comment Date 4/8/2006
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It is very hard to take picture of your own children. Have someone they don't know take the pictures and maybe you could direct the operation. A stranger will have better luck getting their attention.
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 4/11/2006
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You can get something like a Sponge Bob stuffed character and dangle it in front of them from a fishing pole. If it works for cats is should work for kids! :=)
Other then that, take lots of pictures, learn photoshop and the art of head switching.
Phil
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Eveline Shih-Pitcairn
(K=4406) - Comment Date 4/12/2006
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Phil's got the right idea. In fact that's what I'm getting paid to do more and more...swapping heads of children in Photoshop.
I find a bubble gun/machine useful, too. Unfortunately, the 2-3 yr olds prefer to run around and pop the bubbles instead of looking at the camera, smiling and saying, "Bubbles!" like the older ones.
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Photo Veritas
(K=59) - Comment Date 4/16/2006
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Photo Veritas recommends giving a dose of Nyquil to each child. Problem solved.
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Eveline Shih-Pitcairn
(K=4406) - Comment Date 4/17/2006
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I've heard of the suggestion of giving children 1/2 dose of Benedryl. It supposedly increase more cooperation and reduces the hyperness from them... if they don't fall asleep that is.
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SQirl
(K=2742) - Comment Date 4/26/2006
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Bribery? I find chocolate is quite useful. ;)
SQirl
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 4/27/2006
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Sheesh, all this talk of giving them drugs, why not just take them to a taxidermy shop and have them stuffed and positioned the way you want them. I want the kids I shoot to be full of life, not in some drug induces haze.
Seriously though we shoot kids all the time, it is just a matter of working with them and being patient. Moms and dads should not be present while shooting if possible and if they are they should be right behind the camera since the kids will always look towards their parents. Limit the amount of distractions in the room, certainly nothing moving or making any noises. You want to be the only distraction so they will look at you. Be ready to snap the picture quickly you may not get too many chances to capture the look you want. Shoot a lot of images so you have stuff to work with and I am serious about head switching, it is used all the time.
Phil
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Stan Pustylnik
(K=6768) - Comment Date 5/1/2006
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Karen, you need to setup the game. invent the game yourself. Most important part of this game should be them looking at you from one place, while you are pushing the shutter release button.
I'm doing it with my kids by setting camera on tripod, setting small bench for kids, and asking them to move around. On "STOP" they should jump on the bench, freeze while I shot the pictures. It doesn't work alsways, but I always end up with tons of smiles and funny images.
P.S. other way is to shot candid images without posing. Make them play and shot while they are busy. These images look natural.
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Eveline Shih-Pitcairn
(K=4406) - Comment Date 5/9/2006
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Great suggestion, Stan! Personally, I'm not keen on "druging" children. I was reiterating what I've heard some parents do. I like taking photojournalistic-style candids of children doing their own thing, but so many parents want that happy posed stuff on the quick. It's work and definitely takes time, effort, humor, and practice.
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