Outdoor shoot gone bad

[jenabean4]

I am still pretty new to photography and yesterday had two outdoor shoots that didn't go too good. I got some good shots but these were the issues:

1) photographed 10 month old baby and parents at the beach at 2pm (VERY bright but it was the only date and time that worked for them). The baby was in a new element and was so intrigued with eating sand and watching cars drive on the beach, or dogs running by and was not focused on anything else. Anyway the point is we could not get him to look at us or smile for anything...we tried singing, tickling him, had his favorite toys, etc - nada. Anyway I still got some cute ones of him and some adorable faces but I think the parents were upset that he didnt smile in any pictures. What would you have done in this situation?

2) Photographed 3 1/2 year old girl and 2 year old boy - who would NOT sit together, hold hands nothing. The parents really wanted a posed shot of them and the kids would not cooperate. We spent over 2 hours together, tried bribing them with candy, etc and nothing. I got a few candids of them smiling and playing but nothing posed which is what the mother wanted. Even the few family portraits we did, the kids would not look at me, would not smile at me, nothing.

I feel like a failure. What advice do you have and what would you have done????!

[suecassidy]

SOME days at 2 pm you could get away with a shadeless summertime beach shoot, but it typically is going to just be too bright and they will be squinting, even with their backs to the sun. They probably didn't understand that or they would have worked harder to accommodate better conditions. Give them your parameters and make THEM make it work. For example, "I only do beach sittings between 7am 8:30 am or at 6:30 or 7 pm in the evenings. What day would work for you?" If they have to book a month out, so be it.

[MJF830]

Photograhing kids can be like trying to herd cats, add two and it just makes it twice as hard, add picky parents and its all most a certain fail.. I would try to photograph kids that young in the morning, try to avoid "nap" time when they are going to be cranky, and uncooperative. Sue is right plan a month ahead if needed.

[reddyroc007]

When I shoot kids I tell parents to be sure the child is well rested so not to be cranky, have them avoid sugary foods/snacks beforehand so they aren't completely wired to the point they can't sit still. In your first situation where the kid was encompassed by their new surroundings it might be a good idea to give them 15-20 minutes to soak it all up and hope they are cooperative afterwards. 2nd situation, have the kids work together at collecting shells and hope they improve their repoire afterwards. Best of luck in the future.

[egordon99]

I would rather have an awesome shot of kids being kids than a forced/planned/artificial "pose"....

So the baby was excited about seeing sand for the first time...GREAT! Try to capture those moments. Those are the moments that make up life, and they are fleeting....So it should be your job to capture REAL moments. Can you tell I like candids? ;)

[reddyroc007]

^^^^^ totally agree.

[mritchy]

I feel like a failure. What advice do you have and what would you have done????!

No offense, but stay away from kid shoots? There are 70 million ways to make money taking photos, so if that one doesn't work for you there are stil 69,999,999 other things you can take pictures of.

[jenabean4]

Ok well after looking through the pics, I found a TON of good ones so I dont feel like a failure afterall. I sent some teasers to the parents and they love them and can't stop raving so I am happy!

Yes I also agree, I love candids. But if the paying client wants her family pic then she can have it!

[jase1125]

I would rather have an awesome shot of kids being kids than a forced/planned/artificial "pose"....

So the baby was excited about seeing sand for the first time...GREAT! Try to capture those moments. Those are the moments that make up life, and they are fleeting....So it should be your job to capture REAL moments. Can you tell I like candids? ;)

^^^ Very much agree ^^^

[kinghong1970]

just from my hobby experience of photographing my kids... new environments will always mean they are distracted... i find it tough to have them listen to me in new areas...

maybe when they are somewhat familiarized with an area then they are easier... and more willing to follow instructions...