Taking candid photos of people & children

I think to sum it all up here, I would just say make sure you ask permission first. The only exception I can think about would be if you were in a busy city. I went to New York City a couple times last week and was able to take tons of candid shots of people because they're too caught up in what they're already doing. Not to mention, there are photographers in a big city all the time, and I could have been taking a picture of a million other things at that one time. I think the more professional you look when you're taking candids, the more comfortable people will feel. Don't go out there with a point-and-shoot and a trenchcoat...that will raise suspicion :P

There is a park in town that excels in shots of kids playing in water during the summer. They have lots of variety of sprinkler heads coming out of artsy-fartsy sculpture things. In the right light, it's a playing kid/splattering water photographer's dream.

When the mood strikes me to take shots of that sort of thing, I ALWAYS take my wife with me. She is also a photographer nut, and the two of us taking pictures never has caused a problem. I be sure to let her outshoot me about 4 to 1 so I don't draw undue attention.

Having said that, just because we've been fine so far, it doesn't mean someone won't get upset by it someday...

Candid pics of strangers out in public and candid pics of people at a party are two different things of course, but let me say this about that: I HATE taking pics of strangers in public if I think they are going to see me do it. I do it all the time, when travelling in foreign countries, but have a very long lens and never get "caught". So no answers for you, only empathy.

When taking pictures at a baby shower, or party or some other event, people are typically more open to that because you aren't a complete stranger. I never, ever, ever publish or print an unflattering picture of someone and I make sure people know that, so most people who know me are pretty relaxed and unguarded around me. I will often go up to parents at a birthday party and say "OMG, your kid is adorable. Do you mind if I snap a few shots,if the moment presents itself? I'll send you a copy...." If I had a nickel for every time I used that exact phrase. I have never been turned down once, parents just want to be informed typically.

Well I may be talking sideways here since I'm a woman, buuut if some guy in public started taking pictures of my kids without permission, I'd probably get very uneasy and confront him - pro or not (I chuckled at the Dexter comment). And I love candids! It's all in the context. At a school trip, sporting event, etc, one would expect to have some level of photo/video documentation; for our school functions etc we often have to sign a photography/media consent form. That, I have no issue with. I also have no issue with going up to someone and asking if it's ok I include their children in my photos.

We also have to be a bit culturally sensitive, I think. I've travelled to countries where it is illegal for a man to take photographs of a woman that is not his wife (ie just about anywhere in public) so you do NOT see people walking around with cameras hanging off them, taking candid shots. (even though I love candid travel photos) I live in the West and we do have those freedoms, but remember that some people don't, or didn't, and it may be new to them or uncomfortable for them, even to the point of feeling violated. So that said, it's always wise to ask permission, or to be very, very discreet (ie unnoticed).

I shot at my kids' racing meet this morning (at the request of the club) and parents signed a consent form when they signed up, and I still get asked by some folks, "sooooo... are you taking shots of ALL the kids, or just yours, or..." I am very new to being "the one with the big white lens" but it garners attention, and FAST. So I am having to think on my feet and just flat out ask if that's ok or not ok with them, I can quite easily work around any special requests not to be included in the shots. Or like Sue... if the opportunity is there, I'll pre-empt it, with a, "hey, do you mind if..." scenario.

JMHO, of course.

if it were a woman taking the candid photos, would you feel the same way?
kind of reminds me of this article in the wsj i read the other day.
http://online.wsj.com …045760737529256​29440.html

If a stranger took pictures of my kid in public without permission, it would likely not end well. I will automatically assume you are a child molester.

My kid has been in the papers a bunch of times and ALWAYS the newspaper photog asked permission and took names (and always I have given permission).

It's just plain rude to take people's pictures without their permission. Why is it we can't just man up and say "excuse me, I'm a photographer working on [whatever skill]. Would you mind if I took some pictures of you and or your kids? I'd be happy to share the results with you." Maybe get some cards printed to give you some legitimacy.

It's one thing to have someone incidentally included in a photo, but to photo them without permission (and then further to post process and post on the web - maybe in a way they would not approve) goes to far IMHO.

Just take the picture. If they confront you, be honest. If you are using digital show them the picture on the camera. Tell them you can give them a copy of the photograph. Also make sure they understand, you do not plan on selling the photos. (if you do plan on selling, have them sign a permission form).

My personal opinion is "just because I can, doesn't mean I should."

Being a considerate person, If confronted and asked to delete the photo...I will. The same goes for posting online.

A prime example: A while ago, I saw a kid playing with a Lomography camera, I asked his mom if I could snap a photo and she said yes, but I was not to post it online and I was to email a copy to her. I did exactly as she asked (even though it was a very cool photo of this kid taking my picture) I won't post it, and I did email her a copy.

Legally, you can photograph almost anything and anyone in the public arena (military stuff, police and terrorist targets such as bridges and train stations are generally off limits) and no one can force you to delete a photo once it's taken, but, you have to equip your moral compass and use your better judgment, let your conscience be your guide.

Also...being a single guy on the bad side of forty, you'll never see me with a long lens snapping photos of kids from behind a bush. It's a no brainer.

Intolight23 wrote in post #11535441
So I've really wanted to try candid photos because I believe the best smiles and the best expressions comes when a person's completely free and relaxed.

The only problem I have with this is, I don't know how much people will appreciate their photos being taken without their consent, especially children.

What is the best way to do candid photos and not disturbing people and what's the best way of handling a situation where people might confront you?

Travel. Children in most non western, secular countries will have their day made by being photographed and the only adults that will confront you are ones asking for their picture to be taken too. All the fun of a photograph comes from the person knowing you are there (sure you have to ask them to stop posing sometimes) and it is basic respect to ask if they want to be photographed before you take the lens cap off.

And acting as though children are the possessions of their parents is a disgusting notion that has ruined a lot of Western society.

That's one of the reasons I hate photographing here, just by wearing a DSLR you have to watch your back for lawsuits or being accused of terrorism or pedophilia. That kills the mood entirely and has stifled photography within the general public.

http://www.seacoastonl​ine.com …/NEWS/804060343​/-1/NEWS01

And now you can be charged for simply looking at children in Maine. Maybe they should just burn down the legal system and return to go old witch hunts because that's the way the law is headed on such hot topic matters as pedophilia and terrorism.

Gatorboy wrote in post #11540150
What do you think newspaper photographers do just about everyday? Events, sports, etc. have children that the photographer has no idea who they are.

Not our local City paper. They require a signed release form or they will not print a picture of kids or teens at public sport events. I know this because we have been asked to sign before. I was actually surprised when they asked. Talked to one of the papers photographers, said it was the paper's policy. No parent approval, pictures will not be used. They track the jersey numbers, put them on the release form and use that when sorting the pictures.

Personally I have never understood why people want pictures of people they don't know. Not pictures of big events or things like that where people are in the pictures, but candid portraits of strangers. Just don't get the desire, I guess to each their own. Then again I don't get pet photography.

I have seen a couple of very nasty situations where photographers were confronted taking pictures of kids. Several at Disney parks. A lot of time very Alpha moms did the confronting. I never once saw anyone in the crowd that showed any sympathy for the photographer.

make some business cards and let them know that you're a candid photographer and you're building your portfolio. If you request the parent's permission then there won't be any dismembering.

I have a toddler, so people don't get too cranky if I have the camera pointed at their kids, but sometimes they do and I just back off.

Just buy this.

http://photojojo.com …did-photography-spy-lens/

Strike up a conversation with the parents, tell them who you are and what you are doing. Show them the images you've been capturing to give them an idea of what you do. Hand them a card with your name, location, and website on it. Then ask permission to photograph their children. If they say "no", tell them you completely understand, wish them a good day, and go on to the next couple.
If they say "yes", don't take advantage. Take a few shots, thank them, and move on.
It'll also help if you are dressed nice, well-groomed, and if you have your spouse/mate/friend with you.
This advice is from one who is not only a photographer, but a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Well, I fall into the "why the hell do you want to take pictures of kids anyway?" camp. I don't mean that in an ew-you-pedo kind of way, I just simply don't find pictures of children to be all that interesting. Unless, as djentley said above, they're children in another country doing something that you don't often see here. I think that if I saw a kid doing something shot-worthy, I would take the shot in an overt manner, then go up and show it to the kid's parents, tell them I couldn't help but take the picture (because it was such a great moment) and ask them if they wanted me to send them a copy. And, as several people have said, candid photos are great because of their "natural" quality, but the best candid photos are the ones in which the subject knows you're there but doesn't care. There's usually not much appeal (for me, at least) to candids taken covertly from a distance with a long lens.

Also, two general rules of candids that I've found work very well for me (a large, bearded, imposing man):

1. Don't be creepy. Look like you're enjoying yourself, and use your demeanor to make your subjects feel that you're taking their picture because they're worthy of having their picture taken.

2. Bring a lady friend! A male photographer walking around with a normal-looking wife/girlfriend/friend is a much less worrisome presence than one who is alone.

I normally bring my camera to family functions or parties with my friends etc and occasionally just hang out in the background for a few moments and snap pics of people as they laugh, smile, interact with others and more times than not I get the photo I want and its entirely natural and real.