The Photo That Didn't Actually Happen

It happens at every single family photoshoot. Often, parents ask me to capture that elusive photograph of their family together, looking at the camera. Or an image of all the kids together, smiling.. and looking at the camera. As you can imagine, the "looking at the camera" is the hard part.

Grandparent Session

Nope, this family with 2 children didn't all look at the camera at the same time. This photograph did NOT actually happen!

And more often than not, it doesn't actually happen!

It doesn't happen for many many reasons. Most of all, it doesn't happen because we're photographing little children with very short attention spans and a strong tendency to wiggle. And I always tell the parents that I work with, "I am going to be taking LOTS of photos". That's because I am usually able to combine 2 (or sometimes 3) photographs together to create that one perfect shot.

Which brings me to the other question I always seem to get from parents: "Can I see all the photos from the session? What is there is one that I like better than what you pick?"

And the answer is simple. There is never a better photo than what I pick. Because very often, the photo I did pick (or, rather, created), didn't even exist to begin with!

This toddler and child are not in the same image, the child was getting impatient and was wanting to go eat so I took his image quickly and then took the image of the toddler.

When capturing moments with children and families, the ideal photo is quite straightforward. It's the one where the child is not pulling a funny face, but instead looking directly at the camera. I opt for the serene or joyful expression over a bewildered one. In group shots, the final edit usually features the one frame where everyone appears their best (though this can still be a challenge). When faced with two equally good options, I will edit and present both! This ensures you never miss out on a fantastic photo, sparing you the task of sorting through countless images to find the perfect one (that's part of MY job, by the way).

The entire process - from selection to merging to professional editing of photos - is precisely why you book a photographer in the first place. Most individuals lack the extensive Photoshop experience needed to seamlessly blend multiple images. The ability to curate (or refine) images is a skill that requires time to hone... a skill I have been perfecting for many years.

Working with young children can indeed present a unique set of challenges when it comes to photography. Capturing the essence and energy of even just two kids in a single frame requires patience, creativity, and a keen eye for detail. Despite the difficulties, the end result often surpasses expectations, yielding a product of exceptional quality that truly encapsulates the joy and innocence of childhood.

It is important to note that the key to achieving outstanding photographs of children extends far beyond owning an expensive camera. The real magic lies in the post-processing stage, where skilled editing and enhancement techniques come into play. This is where the expertise and artistry of a photographer shine through, transforming raw images into stunning works of art.

Furthermore, one must acknowledge that perfection in photography, especially when it involves young subjects, is an elusive concept. Every child is unique, with their own quirks and personalities that cannot be perfectly controlled or orchestrated. Embracing the imperfections and spontaneous moments often leads to the most authentic and memorable photographs, capturing the true essence of their childhood in all its beautiful chaos.

~Tracy