The Posing Playbook For Photographing Kids

Anyone who has photographed children knows: kids don't really do posing. But, as the photographer, it's your job and your responsibility to deliver lasting, impactful images where kids look great. More importantly, the goal is to create photographs ofkids that are authentic, engage their spirit, and convey their unique personalities. So how do you get beyond the "cheese" smile? How do you harness the wild energy of a kid who won't stop moving? How do you create energy and dynamism with a kid who just seems...bored and not into it? How do you do all that andachieve a compelling composition with flattering light and the proper exposure? Tamara Lackey has been photographing children and families for years, and in The Posing Playbook for Kids, she teaches you her strategies and techniques for successfully posing and photographing children. The book begins with a discussion of "organic posing," an approach to directing the subject that focuses on making small adjustments that build up to a successful shot. Tamara moves on to thepsychology of photographing children, covering how to read your subjects, work with different personality types, and elicit genuine engagement. She also discusses gear, accessories, composition, lighting, and camera settings. Then, in seven chapters that are the real core of the book, Tamara tackles typical shooting scenarios and works through each kind of shoot: what worked, what didn't,and how each shoot progresses from start to finish. It is very visually driven so you can quickly and easily see the development of the images throughout the shoot.Covering the real-world challenges you'll face when photographing children,Tamara discusses photographing children in the studio, in urban settings, on commercial and fashion shoots, in outdoor natural settings, in groups, and with pets. Finally, the last chapter provides a handy reference guide to fuel and inspire your shoots.