Photographing small children seems to come easily. They’re happily unaware of our presence, and usually give us moments effortlessly. But as children grow older, their awareness of the lens can make capturing authentic moments more challenging. With each passing day, children grow older, wiser, and more independent. During this hands-on shooting class we will delve into what intimacy with older children looks like. Through the stages of childhood and adolescence, their means of affection subtly change. While a 5 year old will unabashedly shower you with kisses, the 10 year old may reluctantly hug you, and the tween may briefly lay their head on your shoulder. Each stage can have it’s own love language and level of affection, and parents relish in whatever is handed out. We will walk through step-by-step how to navigate sessions with older children, from pre-session questionnaires, to putting them at ease before and during shooting. This hands-on class will reproduce an in-home setting, utilizing available light. Attendees are welcome to bring a flash as well, if time allows to cover fill flash. Lens preferences: 35mm Prime, or 24-70mm. Experience shooting in manual is preferred, but the instructor will call out settings to help assist beginners.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how interact, disarm, and bond with older children and their families for authentic emotions - Learn how to utilize window light during in-home sessions: Positioning subjects in relation to window for best light and composition - Learn how to investigate family dynamics ahead of time via questionnaires, to best understand optimal poses and family dynamics - Learn how to control and minimize mixed light during in-home sessions
