Hello,

I'm studying photo at university and have just recently begun to venture into the world of studio portraiture. This week I have to photograph a family and am a bit worried...how do you get kids to relax and be themselves? and how do you arrange a portrait so it doesn't look too much like a sears portrait but yet deals effectively with so many different heights?

-- Friedel (flrthr@mta.ca), March 08, 2000

Answers

A couple of basic rules and suggestions. Don't try to control the kids too much. You can't anyway. Just keep your eye on them and catch them when it's right. Never put people shoulder-to-shoulder. Never put people against a wall. Carry on a conversation with the subjectsso they will, eventually, relax. Everybody stiffens up when they're about to have their photo made. Take your time but don't take so long they become bored. And the kids again, they will totally forget you within about two minutes. Then you'll see them relaxed. Try to put the whole family in a setting where they can relax and be, and look, natural. Let them be comfortable. Good luck

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), March 09, 2000.

I would advise to do this with a family you know (and who knows you). Unless you need a formal portrait, it might be a good idea to have them (meaning the whole family) play together or something else which takes their mind off you. Actually, I think it's often the adults that need relaxing. Kids are often quite willing and cool about being photographed.

-- Thomas Wollstein (thomas_wollstein@web.de), March 10, 2000.

get out of the studio and try photographing the family in their house or yard, the results "feel" more intimate, plus people will ALWAYS be more relaxed in a familiar enviroment

-- jason tuck (jtuck80@csi.com), March 15, 2000.