Kids Love Toys

Young children are less self-conscious than adults or teenagers, but they are becoming more and more familiar with cameras at a younger age. This makes them both more and less likely to behave naturally when someone photographs them.

Kids are, however, easily distracted. From experience I can recommend to anyone planning a wedding that putting a well-chosen toy at each child’s place-setting at a dinner reception will give the children’s parents moments of peace for which they will thank you and help busy photographers like me get the relaxed shots they are after.

If a child you want to photograph is avoiding your camera or putting on an (unconvincing) performance in front of it then be patient. (Indeed, “be patient” are two of the first words I would offer to any photojournalist asking me for advice.) Never force a child to have his photo taken, but do try to catch him when he is playing with a toy or distracted by some other shiny happy thing. The flipside of a child’s being easily distracted is that his absorption in play might not last long, so take any opportunity to snap him in action as soon as it appears.

Remember:

• If a young child seems determined to pose or to cry in front of the lens then you might well be able to divert her with a toy—but distractions are as quick to grab a child’s attention as they are to lose it, so seize your shot.
• If you want to be sure there’ll be something that will distract a child then bring along your own toy, or get one of those flowers that shoot water—but please don’t dress up as a clown: clowns are scary.
• If the child has an “action” toy then wait until she is in the middle of throwing/hitting/hugging it and try to freeze that moment.