Photographing your Own Children… and not GOING INSANE WHILE DOING IT!
So, back in January, a week or so after Ezra’s Birthday, I knew it was time.
It was time to take Ezra’s Portrait.
Now, I photograph my children ALL the time! I actually shoot most of the stuff I post here and document their every day lives with my point and shoot.
We have two…and old Fugi that takes great photos and our new Lumix that does not take great photos, but takes HD video (a requirement for David) and takes Underwater photos and videos (a requirement of mine for our Jamaican Destination wedding last summer). Besides being water-proof (which is always a good idea around me – I am apt to spill any number of liquids on any available unsuspecting electronics near by), it is also Shock-proof – which was also one of my requirements. Our kids take their own pictures with our Point-and-Shoots, and I wanted to encourage this without being paranoid if they drop it, etc.
Our Fugi is actually easier for them to hold and take pictures than the Lumix – so so much for all the protective abilities they have.
However, when I do “portraits” of my kids, I am intentional (plan the time of the day, what they are wearing, plan ambient or artificial light, decide on place or backgrounds) and I pull out my DLSR! =o)
So, we decided – since it was January and Freezing outside, we’d put the background up and do an inside shoot. I had high hopes because it was something new and exciting for them, just not another time with them in front of the camera.
They WERE excited and this opened the opportunity for non-compliance and disobedience. I used ALL the tricks in the book! (I used to work at Olan Mills, so I have actual professional training and experience getting kids to look AND smile)
I. WAS. SWEATING! We had to open the windows and let the 32 degree weather in to cool me down! =o)
One difference when we shoot other kids, is that David or I shoot, and the other of us help get the kids to look, smile, etc….
David was shooting too, so it was EXTRA work. We shot for about an hour, and even though it was stressful, I was sweating and jumping through hoops, I was able to get a LOT of really great shots.
A couple tips to pass on:
1 – Shoot in a familiar place….when you take them somewhere new – it’s another wall to take down before shooting.
2 – Play peek-a-boo with them behind your camera. (or get another person to hide behind you and peek-a-boo with them)
3 – Put a stuffed animal on your head and pretend to sneeze it off.
4 – With older kids who know humor – say funny things…not too funny or you’ll loose them. (Daddy has Smelly feet, Pickle face, make animal sounds, etc…)
5 – If you’re really desperate (like I was) you can put an actual sticker on your forehead….tell them to look at it, ask questions about it….what color is it, how many eyes does it have…etc…. This was a new thought for me, so new for my kids and it TOTALLY worked to get them to LOOK in my direction)
6 – If they don’t know what to do with their hands, or they aren’t sitting still tell them to fold their hands …show them how…works like a charm!
7 – To get faces and heads closer for better photos, tell them to put their arms around each other, hug, or kiss….gets them in close to each other!
Here’s some of the shots I got. (We did shots of them both, because I mean really!? all the stuff is out and when are we going to do it again?!) =o) 
I’ve been wanting to do bare-bellies and jeans for awhile – before Araya gets too old! (hopefully I can do it one more time outside this
Spring or Summer – super cutie! 
Mama trying to be funny – over board….. 
The truth does come out!!! 
Precious Kisses! 
I was trying to get a shot of both their feet and was unsuccessful, but this is cute –them looking at their feet while I am trying to
get the shot. 
Big Hugs! 
LOVE THESE! 
One of my most Favorites! 
This did not work in our little living room…will be better outside in a field or down a path… 
Ezra’s hair----he NEVER lets me do this…he has a total nerdy comb-over that he insists on always having.
I was grateful he let me do something fun with it…it didn’t even last through the whole shoot as you’ll see. 
These chair photos were not working ….obviously!!!! LOL!
Starting last year, we started getting these giant number balloons for the kids birthdays – so great to see them change next to the numbers!
Yep! He’s 4! (In case you were wondering!) 
I’m losing him!
Yep – Cross-eyed! 
And we’re back!!!
Say “don’t you smile! Don’t do it! I don’t want a smile!” First you’ll get this…which IS cute… then you’ll get this!
The basket is significant because when Ezra was a
TINY baby I put him IN the basket for photos, and have several times
since…
it’s been great to see him grow in relation to it. When he was a baby I had to put towels in the basket to prop him up he was so tiny …. crazy!
See?! One is smiling and one is NOT – there are MANY MANY more like this…drives me crazy!
Again…he looks great---what is she doing?
Great portraits! 
Again…don’t be TOO silly! 
Here’s my last attempt and pose to get them both together looking at me and smiling…. 
This cracks me up! I can’t catch them both looking at the same time AND smiling, but I can catch them both with their eyes closed?!? 
Tickles! And we’re done! (and I’m exhausted!)
So, all in all, we took 380 photos, of which 171 were worth editing, and I only posted 90ish…
You don’t have to shoot as many as I did, and you should get some keepers. What do you think? Do able?
2 comments:
AWESOME!!!! I love your kids! They are so angelic and so photogenic. I can totally picture Ezra doing his fake laugh with some of those pictures. The video on FB was LOL funny!! You are so talented!
Super cute! Thanks for sharing all the work that goes into it!
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