Coming up with new and creative ideas for photographing children can be difficult. Some photographers think that you need tons of props to surround the child and fill the frame. I believe that just a few simple props can enhance your images without over whelming the overall final product. I have a few key props that I bring on almost every photo session I have involving children: a mini white chair, a suit case, an apple crate, and a silver washboard bucket.
The mini white chair is always a big hit with not only the child but the parents as well. When I introduce the chair I typically make it seem super special, I carry it to the location above the reach of the child, place it in the position I want it in, and say “I brought you your very own chair, isn’t it cute?” This makes the child seem important and special, the chair is a gift I brought just for them, because obviously its to small for anyone else. Its painted white and has a few scuffs on it so its not a stark white, this color goes with most everything the subject would be wearing but also provides a pop- that draws your eyes to the subject. I can have the subject facing forward in the chair at a slight angle towards the camera, I can have the subject sit in it backwards toward the camera (typically a boy), have them stand next to the chair- especially if they are not walking yet- they love to grab on for an assisted stand, and then the infamous over the shoulder can be achieved with the subject sitting in the chair facing the other direction and simply saying something silly and getting a glance in your direction over their shoulder. I have been known to Jump, bark, make silly noises with my mouth, play peek-a-boo, just about anything for a smile.
The suit case has many great qualities, you can stand it up if you have older children you can have them sitting on it tall or have a smaller child use it for an assisted stand, you can lay it down flat and have them sit on it or lay on it, or you can open it up and create a cute little sitting area for them. You can also decorate the inside of the case with blankets, pillows, hang some pennants, or tie some balloons on. Another thing that I love about my simple suitcase is that it has locking latches. If I’m ever having trouble getting a child to sit in the location I have designated, in this case on top of the suitcase, I bring them over to the case and tell them that I want to show them something cool. I then proceed to show them the locking latches and how when you push the button over the latch springs open, that always gets their attention and I get a great smile. They will typically lock and unlock the case over and over and over again. It also creates a super sweet “hiding” aspect, the child can crawl inside the case and pop out like a jack in the box.
The apple crate also has many uses; it can be used for adults, small children, as well as older children including seniors. I also use it to carry a variety of props to and from a location. You can use it as a box with a pillow and blanket to contain a smaller child or upside down as a seat. It has a great rustic look but also fresh clean lines. Im a sucker for anything linear so anything with those cool cross braces and lines is always awesome in my book. Because its made of wood it works in many locations, in the park, beach, or an open field; it fits right into the surroundings so whether you want it to blend in or stand out its a great prop for your arsenal.
And lastly, my lovely washing bucket! This is probably one of my favorite items to use, maybe because it was the only one I didn’t have to pay for but it also is so great for all ages. Its really a large bucket almost 2 ft across, made of stainless steal with just a few little rust spots (that I kinda love). I found this bucket in my father in laws back yard, I’m sure at one time it housed a plant of some sort but when I found it, it was covered with a pile of scrap wood and was covered with dirt. When I spotted it, I didn’t see dirt and grime, I pictured a tiny baby snuggled up with a blanket! I cleaned it out without polishing it, just enough to feel comfortable putting a newborn in it without taking away any of its rustic qualities. Since the clean up I have used it for newborn shoots, family portrait sessions, and many young children portraits including a 1 year olds birthday session. Because of how wide it is, its sturdy enough to place an adult and a couple of children on it, they can snuggle up real close or sit back to back for cute peek-a-boo moments.
Remember that the props you choose should enhance your final image, not take away from your subject. I only use props when I think its necessary, typically in children’s photo sessions- the prop gives direction. With a prop they know where I want them to sit or stand, keeps them focused on the task at hand. Pick and choose your props according to your client. Typically I take a couple of props with me to the session in a location that I have picked, take a look at the wardrobe my client has chosen and pick a prop that is appropriate. There has been many occasions that I have brought props with me and don’t even need to use them, sometimes just your subject in a location is enough- no need for fancy gimmicks.
