Unlock the secrets to capturing perfect children's photos with the expert advice of fashion photographer Kristina Voiloshnikova

Very soon, it will be time for the last bells and graduation in schools and kindergartens. Social networks will traditionally be full of photos of dressed-up kids. After all, kids proliferate and invariably want to stop the moment and keep the memories of them, at least in the form of photos. 

But photography of children is a complex task. There are no more cute, natural, and at the same time unpredictable and fickle models than babies. How to cope with this task and get excellent, bright, and sincere pictures, tells fashion photographer Kristina Voiloshnikova. Although she is better known for her work for fashion brands today, she also has an enviable experience in children's photo shoots. After all, this is where Kristina's professional journey in the photography industry began. The photographer has hundreds of baby shoots under her belt. As a result, she has developed several approaches that help her interact with the little models effectively and sensitively. She is guaranteed to get great shots.

Create a playful environment

Children respond best when a photo shoot feels like play rather than work. Kristina recommends introducing play elements into the shoot, such as asking children to play hide-and-seek with the camera, build Legos, dance, or have fun. This helps children relax and behave naturally in front of the lens.

Involve parents

Having parents present at the shoot can be very calming for young children. Kristina often asks parents to stay within sight of the children during the shoot or even participate in the shot if it fits the concept. This creates extra comfort for the children and helps their natural behavior.

Short sessions

Children tire quickly, so fashion photographer Kristina Voiloshnikova recommends planning short shooting sessions with mandatory breaks. This allows children to rest and regain interest in the process without overloading them.

Preparation and training

Before the shoot, Kristina does a brief preparation with the children. She explains what will happen and in what order. For example, you can show the children the equipment and let them play with safe supplies to make them feel more comfortable and involved.

Praise your models

Kristina recommends preparing small participation incentive gifts in advance to complement compliments. Age-appropriate stickers or small snacks are suitable. This helps to keep children's interest and motivation high throughout the session.

These techniques allow Kristina to successfully work with children in various photography projects while keeping the naturalness and joy in every shot. We are sure they will help you to make your children's photo shoots special and achieve great shots. Working with children requires a unique approach and patience, but the results can be exceptionally touching and sincere, which makes each such shoot truly special.

Fashion photographer Kristina Voiloshnikova also shared with us the unique approaches used by world-famous photographers to shoot babies. You can learn more about the history of photography at Kristina's master classes, which she conducts for the Russian Association of Photographers, of which she is a member. 

Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz, known for her portrait photographs of celebrities and their children, emphasizes the importance of creating a relaxed atmosphere. She advises giving children time to adjust to the studio space or location before shooting. Leibovitz is also known for letting children choose their poses or objects to interact with, which makes the shoot feel more natural and genuine.

Sally Mann

Sally Mann, whose photographs of her children have become part of the world's photographic heritage, discusses the need to be patient and ready for the unexpected. She used long exposures and often photographed children in everyday domestic settings that made them feel as comfortable and natural as possible.

Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus, known for her portraits of marginalized people, including children, emphasized the importance of establishing rapport with the model. She advised photographers to find a common language with the children and be interested in their opinions and activities to create a trusting atmosphere that encourages openness and spontaneity in the frame.

Anne Geddes

Anne Geddes, known for her creative images of newborns, advises always keeping babies safe and comfortable during shoots. She carefully controls the temperature in the studio and uses soft, supportive materials to make newborns feel protected and calm.

Tips from these and many other photographers emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting the peculiarities of child psychology and the need to create the right atmosphere for the shoot. Working with children requires a unique approach that combines patience, flexibility, and the ability to see the world through a child's eyes. But all these challenges are worth it because they will allow you to get images that will bring you joy for years.