P#14 Q2D: When Taking Pictures of a Child, How Do You Keep Them Entertained and Engaged So You Have the Time You Need to Get the Great Shots?

Meet Them Head On

Vik Orenstein: The most important thing when taking pictures of a child is to get down on their eye-level. If they're little kids, I sit down on the floor and I start chatting with them before we even start the shoot. Before we go near the window for the window light, before we go into the studio, get to know them a little bit and tease them.

Teasing is important. I don't know why. I think everybody likes to be teased, even adults.

I'll ask the child what their name is, and say if their name is Dilly and I'll ask, "Can I call you Elmo?" If Dilly is obviously five or six, I might say something like, "How old are you, 11 or 12?" Get them engaged that way.

If they're really shy, I use puppets because it's kind of like a third party and you can triangle with the puppet. That puts them at ease. If I can get them to interact with the puppet or even touch it -- I'll have a doggy puppet and I ask them to rub the stomach or something like that -- then you've broken down a wall.

The most important thing is getting the child to interact with me before I even go behind the camera. Then we've got that connection before the camera is between our faces.

To Conclude

Want to keep your subjects engaged? Get to know them before you get behind the camera. By building a connection before you begin shooting, it will be much easier to keep your subject engaged and entertained when taking pictures of a child.