Shot for the Quaker Oats Annual Report, one of my three daughters and Lucy, shot in my front yard.
I don’t know about you, but the two hardest things I’ve ever had to photograph are kids and dogs.
It’s stressful enough when you’re shooting for a client who’s paying you a lot of money to deliver the goods, but when you’re shooting just for the family album, the level of anxiety goes way over the top!!! Self-medicating is one way to overcome the angst, and especially any misgivings as to why you accepted the challenge in the first place; even a self-imposed challenge can occasionally strain the nervous system.
Sure, any fast-acting Benzodiazepines such as Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, or Ativan would probably do the trick, but for those photographers that would rather take a healthier more organic approach, I’ve got just the thing for you. It’s very simple and over the counter.
In my online classes with the BBSOP and in my “Stretching Your Frame of Mind” I talk about this a lot: First, I figure out where I want to shoot. Not just the location, but where I want to stand in relation to the sun to get the right light; whether it’s side or backlight. Then I shoot several frames without anyone in it to get the proper exposure. The odds are that I probably won’t get more than one shot, or be able to bracket before whatever it is that happens doesn’t ever happen again. 
Once I’m satisfied with the exposure, I place the kids and dogs exactly where I took the readings, and let them do whatever it is that kids and dogs do without direction from me. I’ve found that over the years, trying to give any direction is very close to being a pure waste of time. The best I would be able to do is have their attention for a couple of minutes before they’re done with me.
What I’m basically doing is to set it up as best I can and then shoot more of a reportage style and creating the illusion that I just got lucky.
Here are two examples of shooting grandchildren for the family album without worrying about “missing the shot”.
These are some of the ideas I cover both in my online class I teach with the BPSOP, and the “stretching Your Frame of Mind” workshops I conduct around the planet.
Visit my website at: www.joebaraban.com and check out my 2012 workshop schedule found at the top of this blog and come shoot with me sometime.
JoeB
This is a great post Joe, thanks for sharing! My wife will certainly appreciate the vast reduction in our monthly whiskey expenses with these highly valuable tips.
Self medicating haha! I taken that approach on occasion, thinkin a shot of alcohol will losen you up and magical make you more creative. Just ends up making you look foolish! I am going to stick with you suggestions Joe!!!!!!! 😀
Gee, I don’t know…self medicating can be enjoyable, especially a nice cold beer on a hot day. Love your suggestions, since I photograph dogs and cats more than people. Sometimes I think the dogs and cats are more cooperative than some people.
OH YES!!!!
JoeB