Recently some feedback came my way from clients : While they were happy with their photographs, some felt that the photo-shoot itself weren’t as candid as they expected them to be.
One of the moms shared with me as well, that she felt quite stressed because she had to manage the children throughout the shoot. She wondered if fewer verbal directions (both from herself and the photographer) would be a better idea, with more settings for the children to play in during the shoot; while the photographer just took natural, candid pictures of them.
As I always strive to achieve the best photoshoot experience and imagery for all my clients, this got me thinking on how to best capture “real” candid photographs with minimal direction.
THIS IS WHAT I REALISED:
The truth is: Candid Photographs are seldom genuinely candid.
Down to the very basics, our body postures are seldom “correct” for that perfect shot. Would you sit upright with shoulders pulled back when you’re relaxed and playing with your baby at home? Hardly.
The same applies to our hair, our clothing and even our expressions.
For many of us, a TRULY candid photograph would seldom look good, AND beautiful. Candid photographs are in fact, frequently “posed”; with a lot of work and direction put in to create the best conditions for that great shot.
THIS IS WHY.
In a shoot, it is necessary for the photographer to place you under the correct lighting, facing the correct angle (so that nobody’s faces are blocked), with your hair pulled back (ensuring again, your faces are not blocked), and not showing any double chins etc.
Your photographer usually has to create that perfect photo-opportunity (tell you some jokes, or get you to tickle each other) to capture that natural smile or laughter as well.
In a large group, this process has to be repeated multiple times, because more often than not, someone will blink, or look away or has their hair/hand blocking their face.
When photographing children, the same process (but requiring more work and direction) is a more pressing necessity. Young children, being naturally inquisitive and over-energetic, will seldom stay still at one spot. They do not easily take instructions neither.
Some parents may think that a fast camera is enough to capture their little ones at play, and thus produce natural and candid photographs. Well in reality, this is seldom the case.
Often, the little ones will be looking down with their hair blocking their faces, hugging their siblings a wee bit too tight ( think: strangled and struggling younger siblings!), or simply turning away from the light or camera.
True, a fast camera may be able to capture a fast-moving child, but there are a million reasons why that image would not be a good one. (Eyes looking away/ expressions are wrong / hair blocking their face etc).
So, why can’t the photographer simply just shoot my toddler while she is playing?
In short, simply putting the child in front of a photographer will not result in candid pictures by its own.
A tried and proven technique is for you (the parents) to instead interact with the child – engage and really PLAY with them. Only when the child is in this comfort zone, will truly stunning images be produced.
Being a mother of 2, I do understand that it’s exhausting for the parent to chase after your child, physically hug and toss them around or even struggle with an unwilling toddler. However, as the saying goes, “the years are long, the nights are short”; and we should instead strive to create and capture more of such memories, while we still can.
Have a read at this article – The Ultimate Guide to Managing Toddlers at a Family Photoshoot or Tips & Hacks for a Multi Generation Extended Family Photoshoot! and let’s discuss your next photoshoot with us!
