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A lot of my clients are surprised and pleased at the expressions I capture on their kids’ faces. My ultimate goal is to get a sparkle into their eyes and a true smile on their lips.
Sometimes kids, especially when they are in the 9-13 age range, don’t know how to stand or sit. They are in that awkward phase where their bodies are growing and they aren’t quite used to all those long limbs. Add to that the fact that their parents have often told them they need to ‘smile nicely’ for the camera and you’ve got a recipe for plastic frozen looking little people.
One thing I really like to do to loosen things up is I have kids run and jump. Kids are often surprised when I ask them to run to the end of the block and back, or, on the count of three jump up and down, or jump off that boulder over there. I’ll take pictures of them while they are doing these activities and sometimes I will get a real gem. What I am really going for, though is the picture I will get right after. Those unguarded sparkles.
Here’s an example. I asked Joy to stand in the middle of the bridge for me. The first picture is cute but a bit static.
Then I asked her to jump up and down. I asked her to do it again and again. That is how I got this next picture. It’s a subtle difference, but I can see it in her eyes. I wouldn’t even show the parents the picture above because I find it somewhat blah but I’ll happy include this next one in the gallery.
Just my two cents for you photographer types. Try it on your own kids!