There are some methods that work and some that do not here are a few hints that I've learned along the path. Don't jump into things. Youngsters can be shy initially and it requires a real talent to get a child's trust in a brief period of time. I have an edge over studio photographers in that I constantly shoot out doors ( about 95% of the time ). This implies I will frequently meet the youngsters at there home or a place familiar to them which makes it easier for the kid to be relaxed. Having appeared at the location I set about gaining the kid's trust and breaking down the shy barriers. This is vital if I want to capture the totally natural photographs I have made my name on. I never take the camera appliances in to the house immediately. Its crucial to realize each small one is an individual and as such there isn't any fixed rule of how best to treat any of them. Timing not only is your timing of each shot urgent but also the time of the day. If you plan the shoot to occur in anything aside from a kid's natural play time you are looking for trouble. It should be fun for all concerned. If you need to capture natural expressions of joy ( and who would not ) then the only real way to succeed in this is to make it a laugh. Depending on the age group the way this will be achieved differs but the basic guiding principle is, you play by their rules.
For instance for 0-4 year olds can be simply distracted with a bubble machine.
For over four's maybe a kite or radio control car something that's both colorful and pleasurable. What you are trying to achieve is an ecstatic kid who shortly forgets about the camera and actually is having great fun. Don't force things As any parent will tell you making an attempt to get a kid to do something they do not want to do is as near to most unlikely as things get. You can guarantee paddies and tears follow if a kid is forced into doing something they have decided they do not want too. The trick is to make them need to do whatever it could be. When I am snapping youngsters and for who knows what reason they decide that they are not going to lie down / kneel or stand I try once and then move on to something else. 10 or 20 mins later I may come back to the first pose and try it again, 9 times out of 10 this can succeed as the kid can not remember about not wanting to do whatever it was and we get the shot. Be prepared You never know what every second holds when snapping kids particularly when you are outside. Many things can make superb footage, throwing stones into a lake, patting a dog, throwing leaves all this and more. If you switch your camera off and put your lens cap on it is a sure way to miss amazing unscripted moments. I'm hoping these points have sounded right and will help you next time you take on the challenge of snapping kids.
