Secret Process #1 How to get fabulous, different, and absolutely wonderful images of kids: I usually save these detailed instructions for my customers only, but this is such a great way to get absolutely unbelievably fabulous images, that I just can't help sharing it with you all!

NOTE: It would probably be best for you to read my other guide "How to photograph children; where the magic comes from" first, then come back and read this guide.

If you're the kind who likes photographing children, and if you also like pets, consider getting yourself an exotic creature - an iguana, a snake, a lizard, a tarantula (a friendly one:), or even a few worms. Puppies and kittens are wonderful props, too - but they have a disconcerting habit of growing up. If that's not your bag, maybe you can borrow a pet from a friend, or even rent one from a pet store. If that's too much trouble for you, go buy some fake worms from a sporting goods store (wherever they sell fishing equipment, they usually have all sorts of bait creatures, as well). But a much more efficient way is to get a selection of fake snakes, spiders, mice, and lotsa other creatures from a costume or magic store (watch my auctions for some great fake creatures coming soon). So get a great selection of real-life-like creepy-crawlies that will give you a great collection of wondrous creatures with which to frighten, charm, titillate, and elicit absolutely wonderful expressions on the faces of kids and parents alike (check out some of my eBay auctions under the "Props" heading).

OK, so let's get started. Here's a fabulous setup: have one of the really BIG fake spiders hanging on a string (almost-invisible monofilament fishing line is perfect for this) high above the shooting area of your studio, and when you've gotten most of the shots you want with the victim(s), use this technique. For getting some of the most exquisitely beautiful images of children, clue the kids in about the fake creature, and tell them you're going to play a trick on mommy and/or daddy (you can also tell the adult in advance about this, so they'll know to act afraid when the creature drops in front of them). Set the kid(s) where you have the lighting ready, set your camera (which is on a tripod, and preferably with a remote trigger) for about a dozen rapid-firings, and ask them to stay there while watching mommy freak out when you pull the string (or you can let the child pull the string), and the creepy-crawlie drops down in front of her (or him). The child will scream with delight when mommy freaks out, and will laugh joyously, and give you the most amazing images of pure joy and happiness that every other photographer will drool over! When other parents see the pictures, they will buy a dozen of each, and proudly mount in in a place of honor their living rooms, where each and every visitor who sees the pictures will ask: WHO made that amazing picture? Do you think you could get me an appointment with him/her for my kids? [You DO stamp or use a label with your name and address on it on the back of EVERY image you sell, don't you?]

Moving on. Set up your lights, and let the kids play with the icky creature(s). Let them pull the strings, touch the little monsters, watch the creatures crawl across the room (see some of the great "wind-up" fake spiders, rats, and similar things in the props section). If the kids make scrunched-up faces, capture them!! If they're eyes fly open wide in amazement, capture them!! If a girl looks at a worm with apprehension, capture the look!! This will give you the opportunity to capture wonderful images that few other photographers will ever get to see, much less make a picture of.

Anyone can make a kid smile into the camera - and we have hundreds of millions of pictures with children smiling painfully into the camera's lens. Feh! Anyone can do what everyone else does. Be different - be bold, be better. Capture true emotions; capture wonderment; capture personality. If, for some wonderful reason the child should start to cry, or pout while fighting to hold back the tears, capture these images! If a tear (or many tears) should run down the child's cheeks, capture those images! They will become among the favorite pictures those parents and that child will ever own! And with the proper permissions, you put them out into stock and they will sell a thousand times over - and make you a very famous and wealthy photographer! But don't go around telling everyone how you got your amazing images; like the magician, photographers keep their secrets to themselves, and smile mysteriously all the way to the bank!

Also, don't just get the child(ren) alone with the creatures - get mom or dad or grandma in the act, too. Have the child handing a lizard to an apprehensive mother; a dad encouraging his daughter to hold a squiggling worm; capture the look of delighted glee on the face of a child offering grandma a snake while grandma's recoiling in feigned (or actual) terror! The resulting images can be cropped to show only the child, or showing both the child and the adult.

These same techniques can also be used quite effectively with adult subjects, as well. Try it with a woman, or a young couple, set her/them in the appropriate spot, have them hold a pose, go set your camera (which is on a tripod, and preferably with a remote trigger) for about a dozen rapid-firings, and secretly pull the string which will allow the prop spider to fall from the ceiling and drop right in front of the subject(s), or have one of the wind-up creatures scurry across the floor! You'll end up with unbelievable images! But use good judgment - don't try this on elderly folks, or those who have phobias. Use things like this judiciously and only after you've developed a good relationship with the subject(s). Use your head, think outside the box, and, darn it, have FUN making great images.

- Richard

“PhotoSource3” on eBay

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