By: Ola Pat
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In this business, photographing a
minor is tedious assignment even for the best of us. In taken the photographs
of minors, minors in this case being younger children from age 4 down to 3
months, the following rules must be followed and apply to ensure a successful happy
photo session either at home, outside the home or at the studio. Understanding
that minors are in their own world is the first step to a happy photo session.
There are minors that are calm and playful, another set are calm and hyperactive
but they are always playful. These are the ones that you chase around the
studio or stage while the last set is in the majority. These are the apprehensive, un-calm and
restless “gang”. The real nightmare of photographers that do not understanding
their temperament and nature.
1. Do not wake
them up to take photography especially 2 years to 3 months, they will be
disoriented and will never cooperate.
2. Your
photographer most times is a stranger, so don’t dump your child on the
photographer. In other word, the photographer should instruct you on what he/she
wants the child to do and not to instruct the child directly.
3. Whatever you do,
do not shout orders and instructions to the child during a photo session. Be
cool and sympathetic; remember you don’t want to heighten the anxiety level.
Related: Tips for building child confidence
4. Children love
routine and familiar things during photo session; they become apprehensive
because of the unusually attention and the present strangers.
5. The flash light
frightens most kids and in some cases hurt their eyes, be patient with them and
comforts them.
6. If the photo
session is outside the home or school, which is their comfort zones. Do please
take along their favorite toys with them so that it will help to create a
friendly and familiar atmosphere.
7. Your
photographer must be very friendly and down to earth to alleviate the child
fear and anxiety of both strangers and the flash light.
8. During a studio
session involving minors, the photographer must take time to warm up to the children
by playing with them and sometimes bribe and offer them gifts. After all, if
the minor is not cooperating the number of order will reduce.
9. Do not denial
them food because you fear they will soil their clothing.
10. Pet them at
intervals with hugs and if possible a sweetie short breaks.
11. Don’t force a 3
month old baby to sit up for photograph; he/she has not attained seating
expertise and a strong stable neck that don’t need support.
12. Don’t insist that
your 1 year old must stand right and appropriately for photo shots, the
unconscious are better.
13. If he/she doesn’t
want to take picture, placate him/her and try again. If he/she insistently cries
in protest then postpone the session.
14. Young children
get bored easily; their photo session with dress change should be limited to 30
minutes and at most an hour.
15. If they are
tired take a break or postpone to another day.
16. Forcing children
to snap pictures will never get you the desire postures and result. So, when
next your family is preparing for a photo session, tell and calm the children
in advance.
17. Lastly,
children do not attached much important to photography as adult do and don’t understand
its essence. So, weigh very well your own desire and their needs and what is
important to them.
Ola Pat is a Printing and
Production consultant with training in Journalism, Graphic Design and
Photography. He lives and run a Photo Studio in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Please, do share your insight and experience.
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Email: communemagazine@gmail.com
Call/Whatsapp: +234803 550 2253.