When working with young kids I spend the first 10 minutes talking to them, playing with them or singing nursery rhymes, taking an interest in their toys and I don’t touch and camera equipment whatsoever in this time. I build rapport and this worked amazingly well for me

Thanks Michele! I have what I call a "bag of tricks" and inside the bag are some toys, treats, and my special hat. Everything is kept out of sight so when I pull it out, it's a big surprise. My first trick is my silly unicorn hat with dangling braids. I shake my head from side to side, and the kids go nuts for it! The toys include an assortment of colorful toys, some that make noise and some that do not. I bought some dog toys with squeakers, stuffed animals, Thomas the Tank Engine, a car set that has bells inside of it, a Princess microphone that sings a clip from a Disney movie, a magic wand that makes an "abracadabra" noise, a cat toy that is basically a bright yellow feather boa on the end of a stick, etc. I am always adding to my collection. I feel it's important to have a variety because the same thing won't work every child and sometimes you have to experiment to find what will catch their attention. And sometimes it's just being able to constantly change it up every time they lose interest. The treats include goldfish crackers and gerber puffs, as well as M&Ms and Skittles for older kids. I always ask the parents first if it's okay to give them a treat. I choose very small treats that are easy to edit out. :) Hope those ideas help someone!

Always great advice. It was great seeing you in the video - it’s been a “few” years. Glen Gray

Great video and advice! Watched the video a couple times to absorb all the great techniques. I also use a wireless trigger. If the child can understand how to push the wireless trigger button, I let them shoot some photos. They always love a new toy! I also spend time with the parent(s) and child a few days before the session just to get acquainted with the children and work with the parents on some ground rules so everyone is comfortable. Great safety practices during your session! Can't wait to pick up several FJ400's - excellent, user-friendly features.

I really appreciate this video. I’m new to photography and your explanations were extremely helpful. I want to start taking family photos but not sure how to get started. This video has given me a starting point with understanding the patience needed to work with families, the role a photographer plays in getting the right composition(s) and a camera setup that’s flexible so the focus is on the family and not the equipment or checking focus with every click.

main reason I signed in here was to say ( for this situation, camera on tripod ) to use a wired or wireless trigger to snap the photo while on the side of the camera, she is often checking it before she snaps but the tripod and camera should not be moving, there for the frame is always the same, so no need to check again once the first image was correct, maybe frame a bit larger so that you can corp if needed. but if the photographer, ( Michele or any one reading this ) in the same situation, camera on tripod, and the photog acting crazy for the baby, then a wired or wireless camera trigger would help a lot. as well as using a safe and sufficiently wide table for the baby to be on when taking a shot of baby alone, having one parent or adult standing near baby but off camera, in silence so as not to turn baby's head that direction, but be there to catch the baby in case...... but other parent below and in line with camera, speaking to the baby for baby's attention.... I do this every day ( for work ).

That was lovely and very useful. I sometimes used a fart machine or a whoopee cushion. Made me laugh if no one else...

I've always been an admirer of Michele's talent! She's one of the very best family photographer!!

Thank u so much for sharing your tips..i really need this because i want to be a photographer i am a beginner.. Now i am trying to study about this photography and i am so thankful because of your KZfaq channel..please do more videos about photography.. God bless

Truly a very useful information video. Vital to get the setup correct before you start clicking away, when that's correct you can make all the corrections for your subjects to get the right pose and fabulous images.

I’ve got a family portrait coming up! Going to use THESE tips, incl. the black backdrop and white reflectors.

This reminds me of my ship photographer days. Some kids were hardwork.

What a boss photographer! We all just got schooled💯💯🙌

One of the best videos I've seen on that subject. Thanks!

‘Feels weird, looks good’ I’m totally stealing that

Wow, amazing video! So fun to watch. Thank you so much Michelle for letting us in 'behind the scenes'!

You are awesome!!!! You are a great photographer, thank you for the tips, I have a family photo shoot in 2 days, and you just game me good ideas, thank you!!! Please, you keep shooting!! 📸

Absolutely phenomenal!!! I have my first family portrait shoot coming up and I thought I was ready...this has helped me SO MUCH! Thanks for sharing!

This is so great, I have tommorow my first family shoot at home,I go today practice this

Good technique, great photography personality.

I really enjoy to watching this video ☺ It's really so amazing 💕 and your communication with the baby... uff, seriously that was very nice😁✌🏻❤

Loved this video - really informative and love your energy Michele :)

beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

TNX

Love from India

Very nice. Did you purchase those stools as is, or are they simply stools with a black skrim stretched over them? I’d like to grab them somewhere for my studio.

Really! That's fantastic work...

Very useful video , I learned lot from it, looking forward more videos like this keep it up good work, R.manohar , india,chennai

I'm very curious how many meters there is between the models and the background. ?

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Thank you

Super ,Congratulations,*** நன்றாக இருக்கிறது வாழ்த்துக்கள் R.MANOHAR-CHENNAI

Thank you

This is a great video, thanks for sharing this! What tripod plate was used to allow the fast orientation change? Thanks!

Excellent and engaging

Thanks. 👍👍

Great video.What lens did you use

Awesome video thanks for this. That was a work out I’m sure...

👍👍👍 This is a great video, thanks for sharing this!

Which reflector you suggest for to buy and long life and worth for money.

What for that music is? I don't want music if I'm listening when someone is talking. It is distracting.

Good afternoon, very nice video, thanks for share your experience, it helps a lot! I have a question, on this kind of photo shoot should be handy to use a wireless trigger for the camera? to capture the image while making movement to catch the attention of child

This Channel deserves more subs... keep it up Ma'am...I'm just starting and I've learned a lot from you already...

This is great! But what amount of flash power are you using??

I love the black seating props! Where are they from?

Great tutorials! thank you! what camera is your favourite? :)

High great shoot. How much a shoot like this will cost? And how many shots?

You did a good job.

Do you ever use a remote shutter release?

I love watching your KZfaq. What size backdrop is that?

Very nice

Do you always use zooms as opposed to primes?

I use funny looking hats to help the children and family laugh.

I use Nikon cameras and I've never used a strobe will I be able to program the strobe to my camera?

thanks a lot for this :)

What kind of tripod is that

😂cute teacher

What kind of cámara is that?

Is it safe to assume that if we are taking photos with this setup on our smart phones, we probably don't need to invest in a reflector?

I'm subscribing 🥰

I am curious, you said the setup are only two lights, yet in the video behind the main light you have a third light which I guess it is a bigger lamp. Why do you have it?

what kind of seats/stools are those

How you edit photos..

How cutest toddler I ever seen ohoh he sunset tequila my name is Heather hall

무선 릴리즈를 사용해보세요.

Ever use remote or wireless trigger?

朋友你的视频对我有帮助🙏🙏🙏

Pensé que el de la miniatura era wos xdxdxd

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