If there’s one thing we know, it’s that it takes skill, experience, and a variety of photographic qualities to capture children at their best. Photographing children takes time and patience. A calm and flexible attitude is certainly beneficial when qualifying a childcare photographer in Sydney.
Choosing the best childcare photographer is easier if you understand which styles will suit your preschool best for photo day. Here are just some of the styles you can expect from a preschool photographer in your area.
Professional Portraits
The majority of childcare photography is known for portraits of children posed in front of a solid background. More recently these backgrounds have become more playful in design and have enhanced the standard kindy portrait with a more creative energy. When capturing a portrait, photographers would normally seek to make an emotional connection with their subjects encouraging them to smile and pose for a pleasing photo. While it can sometimes be helpful to pose, in general, portraits today are more relaxed and natural. Many kindergarten photographers in Sydney offer examples of their work on their website or in their portfolio, so you can see their style and determine if it their style of portrait will work for you.
The Action Shots
Sport photography offers a modern approach to kindergarten photography. This kind of photography focuses on capturing the emotions of children as they are active and engaged in a range of activities. Action shots often produce the most insightful photos since children are focused on the activity at hand and not the camera. Traditional school portraits are enhanced greatly by using this technique of capturing children being playful, interactive and in the moment. It creates natural emotion and movement in photos something parents are more open to in 2022.
Lifestyle Photography
Lifestyle photography may not seem appropriate for childcare photography, but this style can produce amazingly natural shots. Lifestyle photography emphasises a candid approach with subjects where they are encouraged to be themselves in their natural environments. During childcare photography, the photographer might be capturing spontaneous moments in the classroom or on the playground. In an interesting way, the picture should tell the story of the children and their experience through preschool – doing what they love. The approach to lifestyle photography varies from photographer to photographer, as some blend posed and authentic action shots, while others shoot candidly.
Qualifying your preschool photographer is easy if you follow these simple steps:
- Seek referrals from industry peers and parents with children at other centres
- Read online reviews and testimonials to gauge their customer service skills
- Review their online gallery to understand their style and quality of their photography skills
- Get to know their photography packages to ensure they can offer your families flexibility and variety in their offerings.
- Meet with your photographer before committing to a contract to ensure they can deliver your children and staff the best experience for photo day. If you have shy children at your centre go over some strategies with them to ensure they are equipped to overcome any hurdles that may present themselves on photo day.
Fotek offers photography days for daycares and preschools in Sydney if you are considering a photography day for your centre. With decades of experience, Fotek's staff ensures that children feel comfortable and confident while they capture natural smiles and timeless portraits.
Check out some of our recent work with local childcare centres on the Fotek website: https://www.fotek.com.au/gallery