Taking photos of kids offers a unique canvas painted with innocence, spontaneity, and endless energy. Whether you’re a parent looking to document your child’s fleeting moments of childhood or a professional photographer aiming to add dynamism to your portfolio, finding fresh and engaging kids photography ideas can make your photos more memorable, creative, and impactful . In this article, we’ll explore a variety of kids photoshoot ideas designed to make your everyday photos stand out, bringing a new level of depth and joy to your images. From capturing candid moments to setting up imaginative scenes, these ideas will inspire you to see the world through a child’s eyes and capture it through the lens of your camera.

Note: This is just a taste of what we have to offer in our Creative Photography 101 Course which covers the fundamentals and helps you master a level of creativity using a camera we all have.

Capture Action and Movement

The first kids photoshoot idea is to create action rather than the “look here and smile” photo.  This can be running, jumping, diving, or really any movement that adds movement and action to the scene.  See the before and after photos below to see the difference.  The action and movement can be done by the kid or by the elements surrounding the kid.

kids photography
Compare the boring “before” photo on the left with the most interesting “after” photo on the right.

Ask Them To Play Naturally

Engaging in games is a strategic approach often discussed among photographers, particularly when preparing for sessions involving children. Prior to these sessions, it is crucial for photographers to communicate with parents to understand each child’s preferences and aversions. When it becomes apparent that a child’s focus is waning, introducing a game or two can significantly elevate their engagement levels. Photographers are encouraged to capture these playful moments, though participation rather than documentation often proves more beneficial. Creating an atmosphere where children perceive the photographer as an ally enhances the session’s dynamic.

vibrant family photography of sisters playing pat-a-cake
Photo by Max Bridge Portrait Photographer

Get Down to Their Eye Level

kids photo ideas
The “Before” photo on the left vs the “After” photo on the right

The next most important tip to remember when photographing children is to get down to their level for the majority of your shots.  There are times when shooting top-down will look great and fit your concept.  For example, maybe there’s an interesting pattern on the floor that you want to include in your composition, or maybe the image is captured intentionally from the perspective of a taller person. However, in most instances, the image will simply look more interesting when it’s captured from the eye level of the child. 

Create Your Own Mini Studio

Having basic accessories like a reflector will distinguish your photograph and give it a more professional touch. The 5 in 1 reflector is one of our favorite photography tools because of its cheap price and its versatility.  For this kids photography idea, simply take out the white scrim from the reflector and shoot with your main light source.  If you’re new to light direction, then all this means is that, if you’re outdoors, stand between the sun and your subject and block the sunlight using the scrim.  See the results below.

Choose Their Natural Environment for the Photoshoot

Switching from studio sessions to more open, playful environments has been a game-changer for photographers specializing in capturing the essence of childhood. It’s pretty clear that kids and studio walls don’t always mix well. Most kids have a natural urge to explore and move freely, so when picking out spots for photo shoots, finding places where kids can just be kids is key.

family photography of three children in a wendy house
Photo by Max Bridge Portrait Photographer

Whether they feel like taking a stroll, running wild, or engaging in spontaneous play, having the freedom to do so makes all the difference. The perfect spot might have a little something extra, like ducks to feed, plus practical perks like nearby bathrooms and plenty of shade for those sunny days. Flexibility is the secret ingredient here, especially when you’re on the hunt for great locations for mini sessions where time is tight, and you’ve got a lineup of little ones ready for their close-ups.

Use Low Apertures or Portrait Mode

Using low apertures on your camera, like F/1.2 to F/2.8, will give you a beautiful burry background and make your subjects pop off.  Why does a blurry background look better?  Basically, it makes textures, patterns, and objects in the scene less distracting so that the viewer can focus on the subject.   You can also achieve this in portrait mode on your iPhone.  See the example below:

Use Foreground Elements

Foreground elements are simply things in a photograph that is in front of the subject, i.e. things that are between the photographer and the subject.  Adding them to your composition for your kids pictures can add interest to a photograph in a variety of ways.  First off, they can isolate or frame your subjects.  They can also add a photojournalistic, storytelling element to the photograph by placing your subjects into the action.  See an example of this kids photoshoot idea below:

foreground kids creative photo
Interesting Photo with Foreground Elements

kids photo mistakes before
Boring Photo

Find a Unique Perspective – Shoot up

At this point, we hope you’re recognizing a common theme with our kids photoshoot ideas.  Avoid the standard, “walkup” shot, i.e. the shot that an average person would simply walk up and take without any effort or creativity.  The next kids photoshoot idea is similar.  Instead of taking a boring shot from a standard perspective, find a unique perspective, such as a “bottom-up” perspective, as you see in the following images.

kids photography at home
The “Before” photo on the left vs the “After” photo on the right

Find Reflections in Your Kids Photoshoot Compositions

An easy way to elevate the creativity of your kids photoshoot ideas is to incorporate reflections into your photos. You can easily do this with a window or even the screen of another phone. Hold your camera close to the edge of the reflection to make it look seamless and make sure you don’t see the edge of the object you are using to photograph.

kids photography 1

Add Fog or Haze in a Can

Adding Atmosphere Aerosol can create some drama in a simple backlit scene. For this kids photoshoot idea, spray some of the fog in the air and let it dissipate before capturing your image. What this will do is help create a layer of particles between the light and the subject that adds a cinematic effect to the light. It’s great for creating some drama in your shots!

fog haze kids photography tips

Use Cheap Props to Tell a Story

These kids photoshoot ideas require a bit of pre-planning and maybe some quick Amazon shopping. You can make creative and adorable kids portraits using items you have at home or inexpensive objects from Amazon. My favorite accessory to have on me at all times are string lights.  Watch the video below for a demonstration of this kids photoshoot idea.

Use an Acrylic Sheet

A fun way to show and shoot action is placing acrylic sheet between you and your subject to create a window into the scene and add elements to create perspective.  This clear material can be used for many creative kids photoshoot ideas.  One of my favorite dad moments was when my son got his first camera so I decided to document it by creating this effect.

bts creative kids photography
BTS – Creative kids photography with Acrylic

creative kids picture acrylic glass

Water Hat Kids Portraits

Use a simple backdrop and angled natural sunlight, and some water balloons to create “water hats” for fun summertime kids portraits. See the full water hats tutorial here, and check out the gallery of images below:

Conclusion

The ideas we’ve explored provide a starting point for photographers to look beyond the conventional, urging them to embrace spontaneity, encourage play, and celebrate the genuine emotions that children naturally exhibit. Remember that the key to unforgettable photos is not just in the technicalities of photography but in the connection you forge with your young subjects. It’s about creating an environment where they can be themselves, allowing their authentic selves to shine through. So, keep your camera ready, stay patient, and let the genuine moments unfold. The photos you capture today will become the treasured memories of tomorrow, a beautiful testament to the fleeting, enchanting chapter of childhood. 

For more tips on how to capture creative images, including more kids photoshoot ideas, check out Creative Photography 101. We hope you enjoyed these tips and have fun testing them out with your kids! Remember, the most important thing is that you have fun while trying any of these techniques out.