Learning how to take portraits of kids

[kat]

I have kids of my own and they are great subjects - even if they don't stop for a moment for a pose.

I've recently received Lightroom (actually had and lost now) and absolutely love it. These photos have been processed using that program.

Until I came onto this site and have done some reading and listenting do I see what is wrong with some of the angles, the eyes placement and even the focus of these photos (which were may favorites). It's a great thing to realize - now to get better.

So here are the beginning photos and along the way hopefully posted pics will get better!

I should probably mention that I am an at home mom with lots of time on her hands..lol 0

[tirediron]

Nice work. #1 seems just a bit soft and mid-tone rich. Perhaps boost the contrast a little. #2 I really like. Excellent use of selective focus and the post treatment really works. Her expression is also perfect. #3 is somewhat over-exposed; notice the lost detail in her toque. The hair over her right eye really bothers me, but the general pose and composition is nice.

I understand that this is the 'Show photos' thread, but I took the tone of your post to mean that you were interested in comments/critique. If that was not your intention, please forgive me. If that is the case however, may I suggest that you post your images singly in the critque thread? They'll likely get more and and deeper feedback there.

[kat]

Critiques are always welcomed. I guess I was just trying to show the beginning and then later the better

I definalty have to start the single photos though..I keep trying to make them smaller and smaller so they fit on the screen nice and neat..not happening!

Thanks again!

[milt210]

here is one of my attempts

[Marko]

TI is correct shot 2 is the winner here - VERY nice. Sharp eyes are almost always the rule and these eyes are sharp. Colour, exposure and selective focus also nice.

milt210 - please start your own thread with this pic. This is kat's thread. (I'm sure this was done unintentionally so no worries at all)

[tomorrowstreasures]

Kat = all three are beautiful! The middle one and bottom one really speak to me. Lovely.

[mindforge]

A few new ones here and the last one I have posted here before. The first two are right out of the camera, the last edited in photoshop. I prefer unposed shots of children. On one note, I get most of my photog money from taking children and family shots in lifestyle situations. I have some gear with me usually. I am trying to enter wedding photography though but I find that to get the bread I gotta shoot the kids and families.

[kat]

Beautiful work! I love the colors!!! So vibrant!

I've never really had my kids pose..find that it's a greater pic to follow them around and get them in action...better emotions!

I would love to get into money making in real life situations!!! What a great idea!

[mindforge]

Kids were not posed in these. Too hard to get reactions like the ones above when posed. On the third, I just had the parents pose while firing off shots. You have to have subjects that want to interact though, hard to get shots like these with kids that will not leave the parents legs. I think photos with kids always turn out well if you can engage them at their level.

I can't do kids in a studio though, I have to do shots at the park or anywhere that is not a standard portrait.

By the way Kat, I love your #2. Best of the three imo.

[kat]

Thanks!

I'm with yah.

Kids are hard to keep still!