School Photos

[jimhannon75]

I have been asked to shoot the students of a pre-school and adjoining daycare. I've really not done a lot of "school" photos before. They do not like the traditional poses, so I will be using a plain white back drop and taking full body shots along with some close ups. This is no big deal with me, just like a regular shoot, but what are some good settings and lighting configerations that people have had luck with? I really have just started taking indoor studio shoots... Thanks for the help!

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by jimhannon75

I have been asked to shoot the students of a pre-school and adjoining daycare. I've really not done a lot of "school" photos before. They do not like the traditional poses, so I will be using a plain white back drop and taking full body shots along with some close ups. This is no big deal with me, just like a regular shoot, but what are some good settings and lighting configurations that people have had luck with? I really have just started taking indoor studio shoots... Thanks for the help!

The trouble I have with "cookie cutter" school photos is that they all look alike, and for the most part suck at capturing the essence of the subject. (just break out your old high school yearbook..yuk) Will the school allow you to take the shots in different settings?..maybe outdoors, or inside while the kids are not so posed? Granted, a little more work for you, but the end results will be so much nicer and appreciated by those viewing the photos. Coincidentally, we might be doing the same thing in the very near future. Knowing my wife who does most of the children portraiture in our business, she will not want to setup a sterile typically overused shooting scenario. But, we'll still be working out those details with the school.

[TheEagleSpirit]

It sounds like they want shots of the kids being themselves doing kids things as they normaly do daily. As for posed shots they aren't what they are after. When I do a shoot for a home exonomics group, they ask for mothers and daughters together as a group, mother and daughters as couples, and just shots of the people doing their own thing then have them printed to put in their history album of their gatherings. This group celebrated the 75th aniversary last year with groups from all over the state attending so I took portraits of the officers of all the groups together and each groups officers seperately with mother and daughter portraits. I am published in all the groups history albums now. Also attend Cancer Survivors Picnics taking casual shots as they all enjoy their meals and conversations to be shared among the groups members. People doing normal things seem to be what is most wanted by groups and organizations. The friends I have gained along with comments on my shots are worth a million to me and a great learning experience.

[jimhannon75]

Originally Posted by autofocus

The trouble I have with "cookie cutter" school photos is that they all look alike, and for the most part suck at capturing the essence of the subject. (just break out your old high school yearbook..yuk) Will the school allow you to take the shots in different settings?..maybe outdoors, or inside while the kids are not so posed? Granted, a little more work for you, but the end results will be so much nicer and appreciated by those viewing the photos. Coincidentally, we might be doing the same thing in the very near future. Knowing my wife who does most of the children portraiture in our business, she will not want to setup a sterile typically overused shooting scenario. But, we'll still be working out those details with the school.

I am stuck in the media room, with no ability to take them outside. So basicly what they want is 150 individual photo shoots over two days from infants to pre-schoolers. They dont want props or all the kids having the typical head shot. White background... Financially, its something I could not, nor will I pass it up. I just need to get my homework done! Typically, I am outside doing my shoots and really just started my studio shooting experience. what f stop do you normally shoot in for the indoor shoots like this.

[autofocus]

Typically, I am outside doing my shoots and really just started my studio shooting experience. what f stop do you normally shoot in for the indoor shoots like this.[/

If you're using a light, or lights, your limiting factor will always be your camera's sync speed for the flash. So, your f/stop will be based on that shutter speed...assume it's around 1/200th. For a correct exposure with lights, in our environment we typically see around f/5.6 - f/8. I would recommend using a custom white balance off a gray or white card, especially if the room is lit with fluorescents. I think with kids / little ones, good to use your fastest sync shutter speed..and probably ISO's around 100-200 should be OK. Also, keep your light(s) high enough to drop your shadows a little, and not a bad idea to have some of your light wrap around your subject to soften those shadows. You'll also need to adjust your light output somewhat..so, test shots and looks at histogram recommended. Once all is setup, you should be good to go through all your shots. What are you planning on using for light(s) and modifiers?

[jimhannon75]

Originally Posted by autofocus

If you're using a light, or lights, your limiting factor will always be your camera's sync speed for the flash. So, your f/stop will be based on that shutter speed...assume it's around 1/200th. For a correct exposure with lights, in our environment we typically see around f/5.6 - f/8. I would recommend using a custom white balance off a gray or white card, especially if the room is lit with fluorescents. I think with kids / little ones, good to use your fastest sync shutter speed..and probably ISO's around 100-200 should be OK. Also, keep your light(s) high enough to drop your shadows a little, and not a bad idea to have some of your light wrap around your subject to soften those shadows. You'll also need to adjust your light output somewhat..so, test shots and looks at histogram recommended. Once all is setup, you should be good to go through all your shots. What are you planning on using for light(s) and modifiers?

Thank for that info!

I have:
(2) 33' soft white umbrellas using 45w 5500k florecent bulbs
(2) 45w 5500k bulbs, that are free standing
(2) 16"x24" soft boxes with 110w each monolight strobe flashes. (not to much power in these)
barndoor with color gels and honeycomb

I shoot with a Canon 60D

I've thought about investing in a light meter, but not sure if I should...

[autofocus]

We do use a light meter, especially when setting up in a new environment.
But use it less in our home studio once you know what settings work.
Probably not a bad idea to get, or borrow one, but once you nail your settings there's little that'll need to be changed. This is what we have.

[autofocus]

Jim, would it be possible to setup the day before and bring someone for some test shots. Once that's done, and you're happy with the results the hard part is over. Also, don't know if you mentioned but you want to shoot in RAW

[candidrachel]

Originally Posted by autofocus

The trouble I have with "cookie cutter" school photos is that they all look alike, and for the most part suck at capturing the essence of the subject. (just break out your old high school yearbook..yuk) Will the school allow you to take the shots in different settings?..maybe outdoors, or inside while the kids are not so posed? Granted, a little more work for you, but the end results will be so much nicer and appreciated by those viewing the photos. Coincidentally, we might be doing the same thing in the very near future. Knowing my wife who does most of the children portraiture in our business, she will not want to setup a sterile typically overused shooting scenario. But, we'll still be working out those details with the school.

Cannot agree more with this! I've been mulling over taking some really lovely candid photos of school kids in a natural setting for several years now. The trouble is with run-of-the-mill school photos is that my kids don't know how to pose and they end up looking really spazzy just "smiling for the camera". They always looks so much better engaging in an activity. I hate the way the regular school photographer takes zero interest in capturing any real personality.

When I get my confidence back I will knock on the door of my daughers old play group and see if I can persuade them to give me a trial run. I'd love to capture 2, 3 and 4 year olds playing in the "home corner", playing with play dough/paint/craft or just whizzing round the yard on their little scooters and trikes.

Also, I have that light meter! Never used it though! Got it as a Christmas present last year.

[kristenh]

i don't know enough about lighting and such to comment, but i just got back the photos of my 3 year old taken in a similar situation. the website was set up such that i could see the pictures of all the kids in the whole school, which i looked through, and my kid was just about the only one who smiled and hammed it up for the camera. which brings me to my two suggestions: ask to deputize a teacher from each group, the most dynamic teacher, and insist that you need her with you for each of the photos of the kids from that group. bring some interesting and new toys that make noise and have her caper about behind you. also, talk with the director or whoever is in charge of the photoshoot and try to convince him or her that the photos will be better and more interesting if each child is allowed to bring his/her current favorite toy. good luck! it sounds fun but a little scary