1st Event Shoot - Tips, Suggestions

[ModernPics]

Ok, well this is going to be my very 1st "paid" event shoot.

It will be on July 15th, for a 1 year old baby birthday party.

I will be there for about 2 to 4 hours.

Was wondering if I could get some pointers, tips, suggestions from the all mighty pro's here in the group.

Such as, I will be shoooting with a Canon 10d with a 420EX / with flash & frame.. pretty much what you see on my equip. list at the end of this posting.

Any tips on how I should run the show pretty much, getting the best shots of the baby or what should I ask couple that hired me, such as who are your close friends for shots etc. I love doing the Candid stuff so I will be roaming around the party doing that kinda of work for sure.

But just anything you guys can offer me would be great.

Thanks very much!

Cheers...

Dave :lol:

[colleent]

I've never been paid to do it, but I've shot kids parties for friends. I find that if you connect with the kids and talk to them they'll warm up to the camera. Also, get down on their level. I wouldn't try too hard to get posed photos, as kids that young don't usually like to be confined. Use toys and props to get some great expressions. Try to get shots of the mother and father with the child wihtout forcing too much posing. Find out who the grandparents are (probably obvious) and try to get shots of the kid with the grand parents. Grandma's love to buy photos!

[TheSteveMadden]

One of the mush-have shot is the first birthday cake. Some kids REALLY get into it, if you know what I mean ;)

[Edit] One more thing... I usually get most of my best shots before the cake comes out, as kids tend to have messy, unattractive faces after eating. Also, if they've spent a lot on decorations and favors, get good shots of those too.

[ModernPics]

Thanks Colleent and SteveMadden....

I will keep those great tips in mind, sometimes it is good to to talk about and plan out the best case prior to the shoot so I don't get too caught up in the moment and forget the basic stuff. Like forgetting to get shots of the Grand Parents and all . Good points on shots prior to the cake as well as well as building that connection with the kids - get's the best shots no doubt. I know my last "family" shoot - my wife does a great impression of Donald Duck and boy I will tell you, I got the best shots of the kids during that time, they could not stop laughing.

Thanks again for the comments so far...

Cheers!

Dave

[dave13]

Along with all of the other suggestions, I'll add:

Shoot the cake prior to the child diving in fist first. Several bakerys now include a small individual cake for the birthday child, especially a 1st b-day ( my youngest kids 1st was Sunday and the bakery we used offered these cakes)

Get plenty of shots of the child getting messy from the icing. I know I'm not the only parent who loves these shots. My supervisor at the studio has a collage of his daughter doing the same.

Have fun.

[indpndnt]

Have the parents, grandparents, etc. sit with child and let child share cake with them. Get photos of kids being pulled in wagons, etc.