School photography is at our door, and with it comes capturing some of the most challenging subjects: children. Here are some tips that will help you get the best portraits while having fun with the little ones.
Before delving into the actual directing of young subjects, there is a very technical aspect every green screen photographer needs to be aware of. To avoid shadows and reflections, make sure that you position your subject 4 feet away from the green screen. This will save you a lot of trouble in post-production. If you still can’t decide which green screen to choose, here are some tips!
Now that this has been noted, it is time to learn about some of the best-seller poses that you can get your subjects to do. Of course, feel free to try anything that feels natural to you, but having some classic poses in the back of your head can help with your efficiency.
To create a feeling of confidence, ask your young female subjects to pose with their hands on their hips. Be wary of tilted heads and stiffened shoulders, which can create an impression of discomfort. For boys, placing one hand in their pocket, with their thumb out, will easily do the trick.
If you feel like adding some accessories, be sure to standardize them to avoid problems in post-production. For example, it is better to use a notebook with a solid cover, since flexible covers may cause some reflections. In any case, photos with accessories are harder to pull off, since they can’t be used on every background and the choice of background should be left to the parents.
On the other hand, some accessories can be life-saving, especially when working with very young children. Kids in nurseries usually can’t hold a pose as well as children in primary school, so seating them on a chair can make life easier for everyone. It also makes for very cute poses!
The last thing to keep in mind is that parents usually prefer close-up portraits. The background and decor is important, but what they really want to see is their little one’s face.
Having said all this, what will make the biggest difference is how you interact with your subjects. Making your model feel at ease is always necessary when doing shoots, but it is even more so with kid portraits.
The day where the school or sports photographer comes around is always an exciting and intimidating one. Try to talk to them, learn more about them, and if you can, make them laugh. Establishing a small rapport will immediately make them feel safer and thus, more at ease in front of the camera.
Don’t try to impose a standardized pose on everyone. You should learn to adapt yourself to your subject, not the opposite. Giving clear and simple directions will also greatly help. If your subject knows what you want, he or she will more easily give the result that you are expecting.
Combined with our solutions, this knowledge will allow you to be the best you can be just in time for school photography season.
Don’t forget: we at 36Pix are always here to help you and answer your questions concerning green screen photography.
All in all, the most important thing to remember is that being photographed is supposed to be fun. If you’re having a good time and get the kids to enjoy themselves, they’ll not only have the picture as a memory, but they’ll also remember spending a great moment with you.
Feel free to try out different poses and send them to us as a test!