4 year old portraits

So, my friends daughter is turning 4 next week and she wants me to take birthday portraits/on location during her birthday party . I am doing it for free so I can use the pictures for my portfolio (and as a favor) but I don't really know what to do for the portraits. Any ideas what to do with a 4 year old? Anyone have some examples with children around this age?

First step - change the expectations. You will not get protraits at a 4 year old's birthday party. They wil be far too interested in what is going on around them, plus usually overdosing on sugar and other goodies.

You did not mention the venue for the party, this can affect your options.

I would set expectations of capturing the event, the daughter opening gifts, playing games and other precious moments.

Please remember - if you are photographing the event, you are not an attendee, you should not be visiting, chatting and participating, you will be in the background looking for the next shot to develop.

enjoy
-John

So I just talked to her and she wants to do a separate session on a different day so she can get some actual portraits and not just capturing the party magic, in addition to the actual party shots I will be getting. Any ideas? We are going to do it outside.

You could do a cake smashing photo shoot. I know usually these are done when the children are turning 1, but it could be cute at 4yrs old too.