Honest Kids

I recently had a mini session with a family and their little girl, and like all children, they have only so much patience when it comes to photoshoots. We didn’t have that much time together, but I knew that Mom wanted some photos of just her little girl. After getting a group of them, little one just wanted to get down and walk! So, we walked…I made sure I was in front of her, casually hanging out, and started snapping away! I shoot a lot to which my camera is set to fire 5 shots each time, and I don’t stop until the child wants me to. You really never know what you’re getting in the end; every expression, every movement will give you another story, and that’s my aim. I want to be able to give this family their story and that’s the special little movements their unique child does.

 It’s really important to be able to read children, because if the child is having a bad time, the parents have a bad time and the shoot won’t be successful. I often stop to see if the child is hungry and we’ll take a break. I once even had a 12 year old be a little grumpy, and I asked her if she was hungry and she WAS! I happened to have packaged snacks with me and after she ate…she was great! Adults can mask their needs (mostly) but children are very honest when their needs aren’t met, and that’s where I come in. You take care of your smallest clients and they’ll take care of you.

Working with children during photo sessions requires a unique understanding of their needs. Recently, I had a delightful mini session with a family, where I learned the importance of being attuned to the little one’s mood. Kids can be quite honest about their feelings, and recognizing when they need a break or a snack can completely change the dynamic of the shoot. After all, happy kids lead to happy parents and beautiful photos! By prioritizing their needs, we create an environment where their personalities truly shine. 

#ChildPhotographyNYC #FamilySessionsNYC #ClientCare #PhotographyTips #HappyKidsNYC