For you pros and semi-pros out there

[montmeag]

Do you pose your subjects or do you just tell them to have fun, interact, etc.? Do you "coach" them and tell them what to do? Or is your timing just incredibly good to get such awesome shots. Just wondering. Thought I'd take the kids out this weekend for some pics. Of course, I've been saying that the last 3 weeks and something always came up. Maybe we'll make it this time. Anyway, I'd love any tips you can give me. Thanks!:)

[Jamie Hamblin]

I just go with the flow... If i want to do a certain pose... i do, but other than that, I just take Live, REAL shots. My husband on the other hand is totally opp.

[Alishaw]

I do what Jamie does-I start with a pose and then it puts them in the area and facing me or close enough to each other, then just let them play. I have the cutest photo of my son & his cousins after the "shoot" in a dog pile & they all looked up at the same time. It's the best one!

[Kelli West]

the thing is to be on your toes and be ready to move if the child does. you have to be patient! always take pictures from different angles. get down low on the childs same level. do a 360 turn and see if there are any interesting shots fromm all of those points!

[Quinn]

My family is huck full of artists & photographers. One of the photographers counseled me when I was beginning that the only difference between professionals & amateurs is that professionals take tons more shots. You don't have to have a whole roll of incredible photos, but if you take a zillion photos every time the camera is out, you'll end up with at least a few fabulous ones every time. That's the goal. Professional photographers don't showcase their entire roll, they just frame the one or two amazing shots from within the roll. Now with digital cameras, you can take a trillion photos without even flinching. If you pose it or do spur of the moment, just keep that shutter working & take tons & tons of photos!

[Jenny McDonald]

I agree, its more spur of the moment. Just keep taking tons of photos and you'll most likely get a few that are actaully really good.

[Kelli West]

i agree with quinn & Jenny, take tons of pictures!

[Alyson]

I do the tons of photos route also. I was at my niece and nephews birthday parties and I think I took over 100 pictures in less than an hour.

Also, if your camera has a burst mode (or multiple shot mode), use it. This will let your camera take more than one picture successively. It's great for action shots.

[brookiewookie]

I'm totally amateur--but I try to do both posed and unposed. Most people seem to want some "traditional" pics but it's fun to let kids just run around and do their thing so that you can capture what their personality is really like. I take a billion shots. Maybe a billion and one. :)

[April]

I'm totally amateur... Brooke isn't.

I went to a photography seminar and the speaker said that the professionals take LOTS and LOTS of pictures. Obviously they are skilled and get much better shots than the rest of us but even the professionals have to take lots of pictures to get too.

I'm starting to go with a no pose rule. Well, not a rule. I still ask for a smile everytime I have my camera out but I'm finding the candid ones are usually better.

Here are a few things others have said that have totally improved my pictures. I'm still working on being a good photographer but my pictures are much better than they used to be.

1) Move in. Move in MUCH closer than you have been and you will see a big difference in the results.
2) Tilt your camera. Sometimes this makes a big difference.
3) MOVE MOVE MOVE! Don't ask your subject to move - YOU SHOULD MOVE. You'll be amazed at how much better your pictures can be when you try shooting the same subject from lots of different angles and locations.

[jessie]

Good advice out there...

Some things I do - after posing adults, I have them tell me about how they met. That always loosens them up and I usually get genuine smiles. For kids, I have them tell me a story or recite the ABCs or sing or something. That's when they are off guard and not necessarily posing, but you will still get that genuine smile :)

[montmeag]

Awesome advice ladies, thanks! We again did not go out this weekend due to weather. Is had either rained or snowed every weekend for the last month. So frustrating when the weather doesn't cooperate! We might eventually get it. The sad part is we've mostly missed the pretty fall colors. Oh well.

[April]

Great ideas Jessie! I guess that's why you are the pro.

[Jamie Hamblin]

Megan... be sure to post some pictures when you're done! I hope everything turns out well.

[Kelli West]

Jamie, I love your new Avatar! So cute!

[shelleyanderson]

i do a little of both...i find that my biggest struggle right now is the weather, we've had so much rain here in minnesota-dark clouds, etc it's truly hard to choose the "right" time to schedule my sittings.

shelley

[Jenny McDonald]

welcome Shelley! This is the first time I've seen you on here! I hope you enjoy it here!