How important is the Photographer-Child Interaction?
Pre Session Warm Up
What is this, you might ask? This is the photographer-child interaction time that occurs before we begin the session. I always suggest that you show up a little bit early, maybe 15 minutes, to your session so we have this time to get to know each other. Especially with young children, it’s going to be a little bit scary interacting with someone they’ve never met before. We want to ensure we can really show off your child’s personality, so we want him or her to be comfortable with us and with the environment.
I believe that our time together is just the beginning of a great relationship; one that will last for awhile! I want to see your kiddos grow up before my eyes year after year. So, having time to get to know each other before we see each other at the actual photo session is a very crucial part of the session.
If we were to just throw them into the middle of the session and there’s this stranger with a camera jumping around trying to get them to look and smile, your child is going to tense up and there may even be confusion. I really just want everything to run smoothly, and be able to produce great images that are authentic for you.
If they have met me ahead of time, at least they know a little bit about what I look like. If I have had a conversation with them, that is even better. They will feel much more comfortable and at ease.
It could look like this-a child, all dressed up and ready to go, a little apprehensive because he or she has no idea who I am. This look is priceless, isn't it?
Yes, the one she is staring at is a horse, not a person, but I have seen that look before when I do not meet my clients ahead of time and get to know the kiddos beforehand.
I like to meet with all my clients, if possible, beforehand so the kids will feel more comfortable. If you have non verbal kiddos, who are at the stranger danger age, this is even more important.
If for some reason, though, we are unable to meet beforehand, I usually ask if you can arrive early as this will give me time to introduce myself to your child, and to try to get a vibe on how the session will go. Some children warm up right away, while others need the entire warm up time to start to feel comfortable and come out of their shells. And that is certainly OK.
After I introduce myself, I will try to get to know your child. I’ll ask them him questions about what they he likes, what they he don’t like, sing songs, maybe play a game, etc. Just to break the ice a little, so by the time the session starts, your child is happy and more familiar with me. Making sure you’re there early enough to have this time is probably one of the most important tips I can give you for your child’s session.
Once we’ve done a session and your child realizes that I’m not scary and we have fun together, the next session shouldn’t need much warm up time at all, if any. But for the very first session together, it is a must.
And, sometimes, no matter how much planning or engagement happens, some kiddos are just not ready. And, that is ok, too. They may never be. Still, that should not deter you from capturing your family's beautiful love story with photos because every minute counts. Whatever stage your children are in. If they never engage with me.
Making sure you have beautiful images of them in your home however they look is extremely important now and for the future. Kids do not have to be smiling and posing all the time; having real life moments captured is more important and valuable anyway. That is why we focus more on the real life moments of your lives every time we meet.
Your story will unfold every year through our images and you will see your children grow up before your eyes in "real life".
Get started today capturing the beauty in your every day life with us.
0 Comments