Advice for "in home" shooting

I was asked to shoot a friends children in their home (3 Boys, ages 1 yr - 15 yrs). Any ideas for the shoot? She would like some photos of all the boys together, and some seperately.
I am looking for some pose ideas. Maybe a few together on the couch, floor, ect, ect..

IDEAS WELCOMED

i'd look around for a fireplace, nice wall for background or a big chair.. be wary of sofas they tend to make everything look like a snapshot.. bring out some props.. bean bag chairs work great for babies..

p.s. what's with your quote?

sari

Thanks for the reply...


My quote:
It shows mankind's will to overtake anything possible.

This is the kind of photography my company specializes in. We photograph mainly babies in the home, but also photograph older kids and adults.

RULE #1 Never never say "Smile!" You'll just get fake smiles.

Pick a phrase that will make them smile, like "Say Purple Dinasaur eggs." (sounds stupid, but it's worked for years) I use to say, "Ok, now whatever you do don't smile." It cracks them up every time. Take a few laughing shots then take the photo when the laugh becomes a smile for a more natural smile.

I recommend just having a short conversation with the kids before starting. Get to know them a little. Ask about their stuff. They will go on and on.

If the Mom has a sense of humor and will let everyone just have fun, the photos will be incredible. Ask the Mom about their interests. Try to use them in the photos. One may play the guitar. Try different poses and croppings. One may have a collection to show off. The youngest may still have his Halloween costume.

The one year old will be the wild card. If he's not in the mood don't force it. Come back and try again. Young ones are fantastic right after a nap if you can plan it that way. Showing up when he's tired and needs a nap is dreadful.

We use backdrops. I assume you won't be? Do you have studio lighting?

Ideas...
All three in sports jerseys of their favorite teams. The youngest with the ball in the center.

Try different poses and groupings. You can decide later what works and what doesn't.

Dirty shoes will make the Mom cringe when viewing them later. Clean shoes or crop close to prevent the grungy shoes from showing. Kids in socks looks unprofessional.

Don't let the sitting drag on more than 30 minutes. The kids will get bored in 15 for sure and their expressions will prove it.

A few photos of them interacting and not looking at the camera will be very rewarding. Black and White and Sepia tone looks great for more thoughtful poses.

The three of them holding a photo of a beloved family member aka Uncle in the Military, Grandma as a child. Removing the glass from the frame or angled to prevent glare will work. The three of them posed around a chair that Grandpa made, etc.

Important...Let the Mom or Dad or both be in the photos if they want to. Let them know before the day you shoot (so they have time to get ready) that you may want to try a few with her and her husband with the kids and just the two of them.

She will likely decline. Just say, "Hey if you don't like them you don't have to choose those. Just let me try a few." So few families have photos of the whole family. It would be a shame to miss an opportunity. The reason I suggested taking a few of just the Mom and Dad is they probably haven't been professionally photographed since their wedding if they are like most couples.

I could go on, but I assume you get the idea. Just have fun. The kids will have a good time and the Mom will love the results.

One last thing. If you take 50+ images please do everyone a favor and narrow them down by a few so the Mom won't get overwelmed viewing them. If you have 6 group shots it's OK to remove the one with the blink. Also remember the one odd expression that you thought looked wierd might later turn out to be the best. You never know what Mom's are going to like and dislike.

Also make sure the 1 year old doesn't have a booger in his nose.

cgratti wrote in post #2237577
Thanks for the reply...

My quote:
It shows mankind's will to overtake anything possible.

Or as I like ...

"EARTH FIRST! We'll strip mine the other planets later."

Just Be wrote in post #2241840
This is the kind of photography my company specializes in. We photograph mainly babies in the home, but also photograph older kids and adults.

I recommend just having a short conversation with the kids before starting. Get to know them a little. Ask about their stuff. They will go on and on.

If the Mom has a sense of humor and will let everyone just have fun, the photos will be incredible. Ask the Mom about their interests. Try to use them in the photos. One may play the guitar. Try different poses and croppings. One may have a collection to show off. The youngest may still have his Halloween costume.

The one year old will be the wild card. If he's not in the mood don't force it. Come back and try again. Young ones are fantastic right after a nap if you can plan it that way. Showing up when he's tired and needs a nap is dreadful.

We use backdrops. I assume you won't be? Do you have studio lighting?

Ideas...
All three in sports jerseys of their favorite teams. The youngest with the ball in the center.

Try different poses and groupings. You can decide later what works and what doesn't.

Dirty shoes will make the Mom cringe when viewing them later. Clean shoes or crop close to prevent the grungy shoes from showing. Kids in socks looks unprofessional.

Don't let the sitting drag on more than 30 minutes. The kids will get bored in 15 for sure and their expressions will prove it.

A few photos of them interacting and not looking at the camera will be very rewarding. Black and White and Sepia tone looks great for more thoughtful poses.

The three of them holding a photo of a beloved family member aka Uncle in the Military, Grandma as a child. Removing the glass from the frame or angled to prevent glare will work. The three of them posed around a chair that Grandpa made, etc.

Important...Let the Mom or Dad or both be in the photos if they want to. Let them know before the day you shoot (so they have time to get ready) that you may want to try a few with her and her husband with the kids and just the two of them.

She will likely decline. Just say, "Hey if you don't like them you don't have to choose those. Just let me try a few." So few families have photos of the whole family. It would be a shame to miss an opportunity. The reason I suggested taking a few of just the Mom and Dad is they probably haven't been professionally photographed since their wedding if they are like most couples.

I could go on, but I assume you get the idea. Just have fun. The kids will have a good time and the Mom will love the results.

One last thing. If you take 50+ images please do everyone a favor and narrow them down by a few so the Mom won't get overwelmed viewing them. If you have 6 group shots it's OK to remove the one with the blink. Also remember the one odd expression that you though looked wierd might later turn out to be the best. You never know what Mom's are going to like and dislike.

Also make sure the 1 year old doesn't have a booger in his nose.

Thanks for the GREAT tips! Will study and use them.

I have studio lighting and backdrops. But the mother wants the photos using her home, she wants to see the kids in the home not in the studio, so no backdrops.

cgratti wrote in post #2241862
Thanks for the GREAT tips! Will study and use them.

I have studio lighting and backdrops. But the mother wants the photos using her home, she wants to see the kids in the home not in the studio, so no backdrops.

I know them so well. They are the same Mom's that say, "Why can't we do outdoor pictures?" Lighting is much more difficult to control outside, and indoors without a background. Most non-photographers have no idea. A narrow depth of field would help when not using a background. Fireplaces can be great, and a disaster. Things on the mantle end up looking like they are sticking out of peoples heads if your not careful. I have actually removed nearly everything from the top of a mantle on occasion and it helped. Good Luck!

Let us know how it went.

My first idea when somebody asks me to photograph children is (in my best Monty Python imitation):

RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!