Photographing Kids

Photographing young children, is...shall we say...unpredictable? You just don't know what they're going to do. Some love it and will do as you ask, and others, not so much. But that's part of the allure, fun and challenge of photographing young children. It's all about capturing the moment — and the moment may quite hysterical!

While on location photographing a young family I was reminded of a photo that went viral a few years ago. The image is of three children, sitting on a front step, beautifully clothed...all SOBBING while holding the letters: J.O.Y. It was the moment, it was real, and it was perfect.

But, as a relatively new photographer I'm looking for the ideal shot (or what we call the "money shot"). The one the family can hang and cherish for years to come. So when I got home and discovered that I didn't have that shot I was a little worried. Thank heavens for Photoshop. I was able to triage a photo and provide an image that I'm proud of and that my client can be happy with as well.

Take a look at the animated gif for some of the out takes and the final shot I was able to cobble together.