Photographing Shy and Introverted Kids Isn’t That Hard!

A message I get quite often as a family photographer is; “my son/daughter is very shy around cameras” or words to that effect. Instead of making me reticent about taking the commision, I actually look forward to the session. I know two things that keep me relaxed. First, I know for almost certain that the familu has almost no great photos of their shy kid. Two, I know I will get some great shots. I have photographed so many shy kids over the years, I have a tried and true method of working with them.

The main thing is to start completely the opposite way to how I begin most family photography sessions. The results usually end up the same as most of my sessions, with the kids working with me 100%.

Normally I come in with hight energy right off the bat. Often the best photos are made within the first few minutes, especially with extroverted kids. Sometimes they burn-out quickly, so the best shots are all from the first few minutes. Quite often we take a break to hydrate and snack in order to get the energy back up.

With shy kids I make sure to bring a ‘long’ lens so I can start photographing from a distance, which is the opposite of how I usually begin sessions. Let the kid(s) play and document it from afar is works every time, the kids just forget you are there.

Other times kids can just get tired of the photo session, but usually this doesn’t last long. I love getting shots of kids who have basically had enough of me, the photographer. Give them literally five minutes and they are back, having forgotten the entire episode.

An important consideration when photographing shy kids is to let your family photographer know beforehand.

Just be assured, they always come around!