In family sessions, mothers may get more attention than fathers when small children are included. Perhaps it’s because mothers, more often than fathers, rear infants. So it’s extra fun when Dads are available. Scheduling pictures in the subject’s home on a weekend can help.
Tammy had no problem scheduling the Reyes family when she did a loving portrait of Dad with little Lily. His pose draws attention to the baby and her name tattooed on his arm. The picture contrasts the child with her rugged-looking father. It was taken with his back to a frosted window with on-camera flash fill. The light that comes through the windows is diffused by an application of spray paint and sheer curtains.
Lily’s parents requested the pose of her alone, and Tammy posed her on her side with her head on the teddy bear. Babies are unpredictable about keeping their legs crossed, so the parents helped by holding her legs until the second this shot was taken. This allowed for a modest view.
The light through the windows is diffused by an application of Valspar spray and sheer curtains.
When dealing with children old enough to pay attention to posing requests, ask a parent to help cajole the child to sit until you get some shots. With very active children, ask the child to run or play in a circle while you capture the action. A parent might also walk the circle, encouraging the child’s slower pace to enable good photo opportunities. Get some shots of the parent and child moving for added variety.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II with 85mm lens. Exposure: 1/125 at f/2.8 and ISO 400.
Exposure: 1/60 at f/5.6 and ISO 640.
