Category Archives for "Children"

0 Photographing Children with Autism

Family photos are something we should all get at some point, but this can be difficult for families with autistic children. Many feel judged by others when their child acts out and are, therefore, afraid to go too many places with their child. They especially worry when it comes to finding a professional photographer, but I am here to talk to you about photographing children with autism and how it can work out beautifully in the end. 

Let Your Child Meet the Photographer

Many autistic children have a difficult time when it comes to meeting new people, which can be a major reason parents choose not to have professional photos done. One way to get great photos of your child is to have them meet the photographer before the photo session. This will give the child the ability to meet the new person on his or her own terms. You can even have photographers meet you at your own home, as many children will feel more comfortable in an area that feels safe to them. If your child seems wary of a photographer begin your search again until you find one your child feels comfortable with. 

Take Photographs in Safe Locations

You do not need to just meet in a safe place; you can actually stay in an area that is familiar to your child. This will help capture some stunning photographs because they will be calm and happy. Even if it is at your home, this will produce incredible photos that you will cherish forever. One autistic child I photographed had to have his photos taken at home because his attention span was very short. He would run constantly, so we decided to be safe and to take the photos in the family’s enclosed yard. I was able to take beautiful photos of him as he played with his favourite toys and I was able to capture some incredible moments with this child giving me the ability to give wonderful images to his family. 

Do Not Push for That Perfect Picture

There are countless photos across the Internet that showcase families in perfectly posed shots, but not every photograph has to be posed. In fact, many candid shots catch some of the best reactions and memories for families. Candid shots worked very well for me when I was doing a session for a family with an autistic child. We went to a safe park where we could let him run around. He would run from location to location and I would be able to capture those fleeting moments of absolute joy on the child’s face, creating some of the most precious photographs for his family.

The End Result Is Wonderful Photos

Do not hesitate to get professional photos of your child. Bring along that favourite toy and dress your child in comfortable clothes to help them feel more at ease with this experience. Once you have scheduled your session, do not fear! This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to create and capture some amazing memories of your precious one.

Talk soon,

Margherita :)

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0 Getting Beautiful Photographs Featuring Children with Cerebral Palsy

It goes without saying that life can be incredibly stressful for modern day people. We spend long hours toiling away at our day jobs. We juggle community responsibilities with family responsibilities and the challenges that come with maintaining a personal life. The rhythm of our daily routines and responsibilities can sometimes leave little room to move when it comes to free time.

When we add a child with cerebral palsy to the mix, life becomes even more complicated. Elements like wheelchairs and special care needs can make life even more difficult to figure out at the time. Concerns like family photographs can be tough to fit into a busy schedule.

Many parents are even further discouraged from scheduling family photo sessions because they can’t imagine how the shoot will go. They’re worried about wheelchairs getting in the way or their child becoming stressed out or upset by the experience. Eventually, they let themselves worry their way out of going in for a shoot at all and miss out on the opportunity to preserve so many beautiful memories.

Choosing the Right Photographer

Getting beautiful shots of a child with cerebral palsy is a lot like getting wonderful shots of any other child. You need to start by choosing your photographer with care. Pick a professional that not only has a terrific portfolio full of shots in a style you love, but also has extensive experience working with special needs children. You’ll find that they’re incredibly patient and highly creative when it comes to making the photo shoot go smoothly for everyone involved.

I’m reminded of a time I photographed a family that included a little girl with cerebral palsy. I chose a beautiful location with easy access – in this case, a park with beautiful trees located close to a road. We simply drove up, carried this little girl to a gorgeous tree that I knew would look fantastic in the shot, and placed her underneath it. When we added the rest of the family (including the grandparents) to the shot, it was just magic. The shoot was truly enjoyable for everyone involved, including me!

Get Creative

The key to successfully shooting children with cerebral palsy is creativity. Choosing fantastic locations that make it easy to work with a child’s needs in mind is especially important. So is coming up with ways to get the entire family involved in a way that feels natural, is fun, and looks terrific on film.

Patience and involvement are also essential. When the photographer is calm, patient, smiling, and having a wonderful time, the subjects are going to be feeling the same way. In fact, many people are surprised at not only how wonderfully their shots came out, but at how great a time the entire family had during the entire shoot itself.

That said, it’s important not to let your worries or concerns about how your child’s cerebral palsy will limit the possibilities as far as a family photo shoot keep you from having pictures taken. For the right photographer, it won’t pose an issue at all.

Talk soon,

Margherita :)

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Photographing Children with Special Needs – Part One

Photographing Children with Special Needs – Part Two

0 3 Tips for Getting Better Photographs of Toddlers

No new parent needs to be told how important it is to document every single moment and detail of their child’s younger years. Those magical days are gone far too quickly, so it is always nice to have plenty of charming photographs to look back on and help you remember what it was like when your big girls and boys were still small.

Even so, getting really terrific shots of a rambunctious toddler can be next to impossible. Let’s take a closer look at some ways you can create better, truer memories on film starring your precious little one. Here’s 3 tips for getting better photographs of toddlers.

Go for the Candid Shots

Some of the most memorable and endearing photos aren’t posed or staged in any way. They’re candid shots taken of the people we love most going about their daily business. Candids are an especially wonderful way to capture the spirit of your toddler on film.

Instead of sitting your little one down and making her say “cheese” for the camera, try breaking out the camera and sitting by patiently while she plays with her friends or the family pet. Wait patiently for spontaneous smiles and then start clicking away. You can also try engaging with your toddler from behind the lens to see if you can make her laugh or flash you a grin. You might be surprised at how easy and rewarding it is to capture simple, precious moments this way.

Embrace Close-Up Shots

Too many amateur photographers make the mistake of shooting their toddlers and babies from way too far away. While some distance or action shots are fine, don’t underestimate the value of a good close-up. They’re the very best way to capture the little details about their appearance that you love so much – tiny fingernails, long eyelashes, and the way their large eyes capture the light around them.

Close-ups are also the best way to capture the world from your child’s unique vantage point. Try getting down on the floor with your child and capturing him or her at their own eye level. You stand a better chance at capturing your child looking straight into the camera when you go this route, too.

Always Be Prepared

As a parent, you should always be prepared to capture life on its own terms. That means having your camera at the ready at all times. Young children have a way of creating their own photo ops and you don’t want to be one of those parents that is constantly saying: “Gosh, if only I’d thought to bring the camera.” Sure, there are cameras built into just about every mobile phone these days, but far too many aren’t able to generate photos that make good prints if desired.

Try buying a stylish, easy to carry bag for your camera equipment and get in the habit of grabbing it on your way out the door when you’re going about your daily business with your toddler. You never know when an unexpected opportunity to take your next “absolute favourite picture” might show up!

Talk soon,
Margherita :)

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Choosing the Best Brisbane Settings for Photographing Children Outdoors

0 Choosing the Best Brisbane Settings for Photographing Children Outdoors

Anyone who’s ever tried to capture really terrific shots of children that do justice to their wonderful natural spirits doesn’t need to be told what a challenge it can be. Children definitely tend to have minds of their own and getting the best out of them on your own time frame can be difficult to say the least.

Studio settings in particular can really spell disaster for the wrong children on the wrong day. The studio is hardly a place that offers the excitement and stimulation children want and need. They can’t move, run, jump, or play. They can’t touch anything either, as there’s always the worry something might get broken.  What’s more, putting children in situations like that really doesn’t bring out the best in them and that can really show up in the portraits.

The key to success lies in choosing natural environments for your shoots that allow children to play, frolic, and otherwise be their wonderful cheerful selves. Such environments make for stunningly unique portraits as well. For me this is the heart of photographing children successfully.

Playing in the Park

Parks are more than just beautiful places that make great backdrops for successful shoots. They’re also set up perfectly for bringing the best out in children in a way that really shows up well on film. I like to bring a little bit of imagination into things, the better to create an environment where everyone is having a good time.

For instance, I love telling little girls to look for fairy gardens among the roots of some of the big, knarled trees you find in parks. Little boys respond wonderfully to the suggestion that there might be dinosaurs hiding out in the same hidden places. When a child’s imagination flares after a suggestion like that, it’s nothing short of magical… and if you can capture that on film, you have a memory to treasure for a lifetime.

If the children you’re working with are in a more rambunctious mood, you can always encourage them to climb on trees or other appropriate structures. Since this isn’t a typical setting for “having your picture taken”, children really warm up to the idea quickly and you can snag some priceless shots as a result.

Add Loved Ones to the Mix

Another thing that naturally brings out the best in a child is adding their parents or a beloved pet to the shot. I’ve gotten some wonderful shots of children captured while playing peek-a-boo with their parents or running through puddles with the family dog. Add loved ones and favorite games that can’t help but make a child smile to a fantastic location and you’ve just set the ideal scene for a shoot.

At the end of the day, the idea is to take the children out of their everyday environments in such a way that they’re no longer focused on the business of posing for pictures. They’re simply being themselves and everyone’s having a good time… including the photographer! What better way to make memories than by capturing genuine fun, happiness, and enthusiasm on film?

Talk soon, Margherita :)

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Best Ages to Get Portraits of Your Children (Part 1)

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0 Photographing Children with Special Needs – Part One

If you’re the parent of a special needs child, then it’s more than a little likely that you and your family have your own set of challenges when it comes to capturing them on film. Naturally, special needs children don’t always respond to outside stimuli in the same way that other children do, so getting them to pose successfully can often be difficult. I’ve been told by special needs families in the past that they don’t feel the shoot will go smoothly. Often parents feel especially apprehensive about taking their children out of their comfort zone.

That’s where a little hands-on experience can really help. For instance, I’ve had the pleasure of working personally with many special needs children over the years and collectively, they’ve covered a lot of range as far as the needs they had. Some have Down’s syndrome. Others are dealing with cerebral palsy, Asperger’s, pronounced autism, or even blindness. The solution on the photographer’s end should always be to find a way to connect with the child, discover their needs, and then continue in a fun way that works for everyone.

Choosing environments where the child feels comfortable

Photographing children with special needs is no different in that the key to capturing absolutely charming shots of them lies in making them feel comfortable and at home, as well as in choosing locations where they’re sure to be safe. This can even mean actually doing the shoot in the child’s home, although places like the park or the beach that bring out the best in kids are terrific ideas, too.

For instance, I once worked with a family that wanted portraits taken of their 14-year-old son. He just happened to have severe autism and the challenge involved with this particular boy was figuring out how to deal with the very limited attention span he had. He had a tendency to run away and get lost, so we decided to do the shoot in the family’s back yard so that there wouldn’t be any “unplanned adventures”, so to speak.

The yard and family property gave me some wonderful opportunities to capture him engaging in activities he enjoys and playing with his siblings. I just joined right in and made myself at home with the family, encouraging everyone to act naturally and play. I captured some wonderful memories that day as a result and the family was very appreciative.

Photographing Children with Special Needs – bringing out the joy

Another incredibly important part of photographing special needs children lies in being resourceful enough to connect with and draw out that natural enthusiasm that all children have. An easy way to do this is to set a scene that involves places, people, or animals that make them shine from within with happiness.

For instance, I once photographed a boy with Asperger’s at a beach location. The key to getting the happiness he felt inside to express itself on his face was to encourage him to play with his dog that he dearly loved. The radiance and joy in his face shone right through and I was able to capture it on film for his family to treasure forever.

In a nutshell, shooting special needs children is very achievable. With a little planning, creativity, and a relaxed fun approach that includes everyone involved, we’ll create wonderful portraits of your children and make some memories to treasure for years to come.

Feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have.

Talk soon :)

Margherita

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