Anyone who has a brother or sister knows that there is a special relationship between them, love, competitiveness, understanding, a game code and even their own personal language. Siblings are more than just children placed together at a specific time in their lives. They have a unique relationship that many times not even their own parents are able to understand. They adore each other, sometimes they hate each other, sometimes they kiss and other times they may bite, they attract and repel each other and forgive everything. And all that complicated relationship can be expressed in images, we can try to explain their history, the history of their intimate moments, their games, their anger… Because memory is erased, but the images remain to remind us of the magic of moments that we live. Want to see a few tips for capturing that magic? Keep reading then 😉 But first, don’t miss the mega guide that we have prepared for you with all the tips and tricks to photograph children and this one to photograph babies.
Posed or spontaneous
First of all, I will make the difference between posed or spontaneous images, I recommend the former for photo sessions in which the children are not yours and, consequently, you have a limited access and a set time to try and get a good picture of them. The second are the most recommended when you have unlimited access to your day to day, it is there where you will have the best opportunities for capture the essence of their personalities and their relationship.
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find a good background
I often say that the background can make or break an image. If you are going to pose your little ones, you must first choose the right place to do it. The background must accompany your protagonists and embellish the image, make them stand out and never hinder the message you are looking for. You can look for plain or textured walls, a landscape, a complementary bright color that contrasts with the children’s clothing or skin tone, etc.
Pay attention to the wardrobe
Since you are going to prepare the photo session, you can try to get the little ones to dress in a combined way. Jeans and light shirts, dresses of similar or contrasting colors… As you like, but with artistic intention 😉
better natural light
Try to work in the last or first hours of the day to avoid too harsh light and unwanted shadows under the eyes. If it’s not possible, look for one. shadow area or one of these places.
Natural light will allow you to work with higher speeds, an essential requirement for anyone who wants to photograph children, and it is also more photogenic and gives better results than other types of lights.
Forget automatic mode
Don’t be scared, you can do it 😉 If you don’t dare with the manual mode, use some semi-manual mode. You can decide to work with the aperture priority if what you value most is the depth of field of the image or the amount of light entering. Or you can decide to work with speed priority if you need a minimum speed with which to work because your little ones are very moved. It will depend on the ambient light and your needs at the moment.
Seize the day
Children tend to have little patience, so only when you have everything ready, call them to your session. Keeping them waiting while you decide parameters, framing, background, etc. will make them lose patience before starting, and I assure you that this is not convenient for you at all 😉
Give them some initial parameters and then let them improvise
You can start by asking them (always respecting whether they want to do it or not, of course) to:
- hug each other
- They sit next to each other and look at camera
- look at each other
- kiss (if you want)
- The eldest holds the youngest on his lap
- They stand back to back looking at the camera
- Order from highest to lowest (if there are more than two siblings)
- If there is a baby, find a comfortable and safe place for the children (for example your bed), stretch them and pay attention to looks, gestures, etc.
- Make funny faces (laughing games will end and there are few better things than a good natural laugh 😉)
- Play with something (photogenic) to distract yourself and improvise
let them be themselves
I often think of those images of “expectation vs reality” that make me burst out laughing, because it has happened to us so many and so many times that I think I have given up posing for life 😉 Because we never get anything that we had anticipated Not even remotely, but when we let them begin to be themselves, it turns out that is when we begin to have better images, the ones that best show the character, complicity and personality of each one of those who appear in the image.
spontaneous
This type of image is the one that I like the most and the one that I think ends up giving the best results (at least for me 😉 ). Of course, it usually works better when the children are yours, because you have access to infinite situations.
This technique consists of playing the spy and constantly chasing them with the camera in hand, trying to anticipate the action 😉 Just kidding, well, no, it’s not, but you can do more things to get good images of your offspring 🙂
Learn the lighting of your house
Yes, don’t be scared by the title. I mean that you know which are the best places and the best hours of light within your own home. What light does your children’s room have, the games room, the kitchen… And what time is it better, warmer, lateral, etc. Light is everything in photography and if you dominate that of your environment, you already have half the job done. Oh, and don’t forget how useful windows are in portrait photography 😉
The games
When children play abstractedly, when they play hide-and-seek chasing each other around the house, when they appear under a blanket with a radiant smile from ear to ear, when they imagine far-off places together full of adventures, when they talk, when they get angry… Those moments when those that the world is only theirs, of them two or three or the brothers that they are, is pure magic. So always keep an eye on your games because that’s where the big pictures are created.
Be discret
The key to getting those spontaneous images of their particular world is to be as discreet as possible. Don’t ask them to look at you or smile at you, or at least not all the time. Sit down to observe its dynamics and try to anticipate situations that you think will give you good results. A laugh, a look, or a disapproving face. Everything is susceptible to a good image.
foreign
No matter how complicated your family logistics are, don’t forget your camera at home. Family outings are unique occasions. You can be inspired by a new environment, look for suggestive backgrounds or lights that you would be unable to achieve in your four walls.
outdoor photography
take lots of photos
Yes, do not hesitate, if you want to capture unique moments, the only key is perseverance and perseverance, so it is better that you have a few photos left over than not that you are missing 🙂
Get inspired online
There are those who do authentic tricks with apparently simple situations such as a family snack, the bathroom before going to bed or a scooter ride. Do not forget to take a look at Instagram, Flickr, or the social network that you usually feed on in search of inspiration.
What do you think? I hope you’ll be encouraged to try it with all your might, you’ll have a great time and you’ll have some incredible images for posterity, for the wall, for grandma, for everything 😉 Oh, and if you found it useful, don’t forget to share it on your network social favorite. Thank you and see you soon.