by Mark Burch

Created on: February 18, 2009

Kids are wonderful subjects for photography, but you need to take a slightly different approach when photographing them. The results will be stunning, and the memories will last a lifetime for the parents, the child, and the photographer.

First, keep your distance and capture shots of the child when they are not aware that you are taking pictures. Most kids will act silly once they realize you are taking their picture. So sit at a good distance with a zoom lens, and snap away without flash as they play and interact with the world around them. Don't say a word, just wait for those special moments to appear before your lens. If they see you, just put your camera away for a few minutes and they will continue to play.

Second, get down to their level, sit on the floor, eye to eye with a child and play with them. Tell silly stories, and when the time is right, start taking photos of them playing with a wide angle lens and bounce flash, or no flash at all depending on the lighting. Ask them to tell you a story about their favorite teddy bear, truck, or friend. Ask the mother or father to sit on the floor with the child and talk to them, tickle them, and give them hugs and kisses. No matter how those pictures turn out, the parents will love and cherish them forever.

Finally, if the child is 4 or older, you can sometimes get them to pose and take directions for specific shots. Get a basket of different flowers and ask the child to pick up each flower and tell you something about it. What's the color? What kind of flower is it? What does it smell like? Have the child stand by a bright window, next to a tree, sitting on a dock, pool, or park. Go to a petting zoo and get pictures of them with the animals. Ask questions, and photograph the answers and results. Remember, children that are thinking are more likely to give you very good expressions and different shots that you are looking to capture. Don't forget to have fun with some silly shots too, jumping in the pool, the bubble baths, and the cake icing on the face and hair.

Some of my best shots were taken while my daughter was sleeping, or waking up in the morning. Nothing is more precious than a child sleeping in the early morning light, or waking up with massive bed head hair. Take close ups of their faces, hands, and feet. Put their little hand in yours and take a few shots, you will be amazed how valuable those photos will be to you in a few short years.

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