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12/04/2011 12:30:06 PM · #1 |
today as some of you know, I had a shoot with a family. well its difficult for me to make kids laugh or smile. Not saying that i'm bad with kids, its just hard when i have camera in my hands...
Any tips or words that you say to make kids laugh? what about toys, should i bring some the next time that i shoot younger children? Anything is helpful! |
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12/04/2011 12:56:23 PM · #2 |
| Have them sing a song with you and then get all out of key, lol! (I've not shot any kids and don't own any, so take the suggestion for what it's worth...and don't anyone hate on me for not being more eloquent in my experience description, lol.) |
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12/04/2011 01:02:52 PM · #3 |
If it isn't a family portrait, I'd appoint someone to be the kiddie wrangler. (I learned a helluva lot from working as an extra, you're stuck there on set for hours on end with nothing to taxing to do, may as well watch how the pros do things). And guess what, the camera crew are there to only capture the scene. Animal trainers are responsible for the animals; a child's acting coach/parent/guardian are there on set usually anyway as it's a legal requirement. They are often roped in to help evoke emotion.
Your job is to get the shot, true enough. But if Mom or Dad or an elder sibling/relative who is good at making the kid laugh can do so, I'd have them stand behind me (I would have camera at about kid's eye level, but that's my style) and have them do whatever they do best.
Also if working with very young kids things are probably easier than getting an older kid to laugh and relax. It helps too if the kids are prepped in advance...are they wearing comfortable clothes? Are they rested up or had the edge taken off them if they're fidgety? Have they eaten recently? Had the requisite potty breaks beforehand? All that should be addressed before they come to set, wherever it may be.
Anyway how did today's shoot go? |
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12/04/2011 01:19:09 PM · #4 |
Kids laugh at the unexpected. Peek-a-boo (which you can do from behind the camera) usually works with the younger set. If a youngster does not want to be in the shoot, that's the first thing to overcome. Its hard to laugh when you're angry or frustrated or self-conscious. Good luck!
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12/04/2011 02:30:26 PM · #5 |
Slapstick, the kids can't get enough of it.
... and make fart noises whenever you bend over, that is comedy GOLD !
Message edited by author 2011-12-04 19:31:38. |
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12/04/2011 02:38:39 PM · #6 |
It very much depends on the child and on the age, but practise helps a lot. Make sure they are well rested and fed (tell mum beforehand to find the right timeslot).
I used to be good with 4 years old on on, but bad with younger ones. Now I can sit down on the floor at the local library and have pretty much any age range smile, my kid taught me how:) One thing that normally will not work is to put pressure on them, which sometimes parents do. As a rule, I never ask a child to smile for the camera
I don't think there is any special formula a complete stranger can use to to walk into a room and make you laugh. Or if there is, the same might not work with me. Children are not different.
Put yourself a bit in the role of aunt mcnutty and forget for a sec that you are there to photograph.
What I find works quite well is sitting on the floor and show a genuine interest, just be careful not to be too outforward with a shy child, let them take the initiative.
At first, make gentle statements rather than questions. Things like "I like your monkey/cat/bear" if they are carrying a stuffed toy helps a lot in building a connection and show you are ok and probably interesting because you take an interest in what they like.
If you actually like their hat or shoes, try saying so and see what happens.
If you like to bring toys which will work well as props, do so. What makes them smile is normally something that will give them some reward, a silly noise when pressing a button or squishing the toy, anything surprising. Just make sure it's easy enough rather than frustrating. Most will be fascinated by woodwinds, like a little recorder or tin flute, and give you a nice smile when they hear it.
But in reality most children will be even happier with a bunch of colored, fluffy fabric or simple things. If they show an interest in your camera and gear, show them or let them touch a bit (a lens cap is a great thing to have handy, the big eye on your camera attracts them like magnets). If it's your studio, show them around a bit. If it's their house see if they like to show you their room and their toys. If mum it's ok with stepping out of the room for a moment, have them jump on the bed, if they are normally told not to do so they'll be all smiles.
Some pros organize pre-sessions to talk about the clothing, the type of shots and so on, and ask parents to bring the kids along, so they won't be complete strangers at the actual shot.
I think I said that in the other thread, but, asking them to climb on something will give you a very nice proud smile when they manage to, if you are ready to take the shot. If necessary, reinforce with a gentle "hey, well done" :)
Very small babies might laugh if you make faces and strange sounds, and you can tickle (very gently) their toes with a feather to elicit a smile.
Nursery rhymes work as well, as having them sing, but it really depends on the child.
An assistant good with children (or mum/dad, if they are relaxed) is obviously a great asset, as it is having a light set up which doesn't require you to fiddle with your camera too often. Remote control and camera on a tripod rather than in front of your face is also a great option if it fits the situation, they'll smile more at your face than at the front of your lens :)
But in any case, the time spent building a connection pays back afterwards.
Message edited by author 2011-12-04 19:44:13. |
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12/04/2011 03:33:36 PM · #7 |
Have a stranger walk past behind the photographer and make a goofy face. Totally unexpected. I did that a couple of times recently and the photographer thanked me for giving them a natural smile to photograph.
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12/04/2011 03:56:59 PM · #8 |
Having someone else (parent, assistant) in charge of entertaining the kid is the most consistent advice I've heard -- you want to be concentrating on operating the camera and capturing the right moment.
If you are working alone, and the child is old enough, try having them tell you their favorite joke -- they are almost sure to laugh at something they themselves think is funny, and you may learn a new joke as a bonus; then you can use it at your next session. ;-) |
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12/04/2011 05:13:47 PM · #9 |
I know I'll sound hard-hearted with this one, but... I ignore the child who doesn't want to participate after trying all of the nice stuff. I tell him/her... you stay there... I want to shoot... xxx and xxx right now.
That usually makes them want to be in the shot. Then, I use their "good behavior" as a reward for getting them in the next shot... IF they've had good behavior.
:D
Usually, I can find something to compliment them on. If not... it's all up to the parents to make them happy. I mean... after all... they're the ones who trained the kid to be compliant or ...not.
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12/05/2011 07:40:29 AM · #10 |
I found this always works....when the family is telling the child to smile, the child will do the opposite... The best thing you can do is LIGHTEN the mode for the entire shoot. This will work 100% of the time!
1 Side with the child by yelling at the parents! "NO, DON'T TELL HER TO SMILE, SHE DOES NOT WANT TO SMILE!!!"
2 Match her Mood for the photo! "EVERYONE, I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME YOUR BEST ANGRY FACE!, LETS SEE THOSE POUTY LIPS!!!"
3. Change it up, "LETS SEE YOUR BEST SAD CRYING FACE" (taking photos the entire time)
4. KEEP CHANGING IT UP, Lets see your best crazy silly face...
by now everyone is laughing and relaxed and HAVING FUN, really having fun and not pretending!!!
5. YELL AT ANYONE EVERY TIME THEY SMILE! "STOP SMILING!!!!"
6. Last shot, YEP, LETS SEE A TINY LITTLE SMILE, and then yell at them for smiling to big, "we need to do it again but do not smile that big, we need a LITTLE SMILE"
You will never be stressed ever again when someone will not smile, it works always and will turn everyone around regardless of their attitude in "taking a picture" that they do not want.
It is usually a good Idea to do this if the shot is not going perfect in EVERY WAY!
Do this and ever shoot will be more fun than you can ever imagined it could be. If your stressed, your doing it wrong, if they are stressed your not doing this! Have Fun and Please let me know how this works. If it makes that much of an impact as it did for me, please affirm it here so other will understand as I did how much of an effect this will have!
Message edited by author 2011-12-05 12:45:22.
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12/05/2011 08:08:57 AM · #11 |
When I shoot preschool pictures, one of the directors pretends to sneak up behind me and tickle me while I'm taking the shot. The kids love it because they're seeing someone they know acting funny. When she "tickles" me, I'll giggle, and the kids almost always giggle perfectly as she's doing it.
I've found that to work pretty reliably... it also works well because it keeps the kids focused on looking at me/the camera.
Message edited by author 2011-12-05 13:10:04. |
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12/05/2011 08:21:35 AM · #12 |
Well, here is what I think...
Message edited by author 2011-12-05 13:23:10. |
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12/05/2011 08:47:37 AM · #13 |
I agree with Lydia, in my experience if you don't put any attention onto the reluctant child, they see how much fun the other kids have with goofy faces/jokes etc. and they eventually want to join in! You can then let them be in the next shot and shower them with praise for a job well done.
Every kid loves to show off their best silly face and they usually dissolve into laughter after they've done it, so asking for that and 'reacting big' to it usually works! Having a toy for them to hold can make for a cute shot and keep the really young ones occupied (at least enough for them to stay where they are for a few minutes) but never have a collection of toys on hand, especially if you're shooting more than one child, as a group of children plus loads of toys makes for playtime in their eyes and ignoring instructions from you.
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12/05/2011 09:40:12 AM · #14 |
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12/07/2011 01:23:24 AM · #15 |
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12/07/2011 08:30:55 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Derf:
5. YELL AT ANYONE EVERY TIME THEY SMILE! "STOP SMILING!!!!" |
LOL, this really does work. Even adults can't resist.
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