exchange

Photo by Olivia, age 5

One of my "kid tricks" at photo shoots is to bribe them by letting them take some of the pictures. I've found that it keeps them interested in the process, and sometimes distracts them out of a tantrum. In this case, Olivia wasn't throwing a tantrum. She was just one of those kids who has a natural curiousity about everything. She asked me if she could take a few pictures of her mom and dad. Of course I said yes, and this is what she snapped! Easily one of the best shots of the day! I love her perspective, and the cropping. But my favorite part are the expressions on mom and dad's faces: just completely unguarded, and encouraging their little girl. It showed me that by handing the camera over to someone else, not only do we get to see how they see. We also get to see how they are seen. The whole process is such a mutual exchange. 

Wouldn't you agree? We'd love to see what you have to share today.

Comments

[kosenrufu mama]

i agree with you, i love to try new options and let my daughter take a picture... uhmm, but very carefully!

http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/01/un-anno-con-voi.html

[Larissa]

What a wonderful idea!! and it worked out so well. Can't wait to get my daughter her own camera. Their perspective on the world is so different and fresh :)

[Marcie]

Amazing to see what she sees thru her lens - kind and everloving parents. Wonderful portrait!!!

[Puna]

My 12 year old daughter loves my camera and I do believe I will buy her one of her own for her birthday. In the meantime, I readily hand mine over when she asks me and I love looking through her shots. Here's something I posted back in October. We were both learning how to use the camera, and I'm still learning how to post-process well. Nature and our pets are her two favorite subjects.

http://lifesignatures.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/a-study-in-green/

[Kacey]

My husband also loves photography. We often go on shoots trying to capture the "perfect shot." Like here where we had The War of the Roses. So much fun. I love to see the perspectives and lighting he comes up with.

http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2009/01/19/war-of-the-roses/

[Gardenmama]

My 2 year old daughter has recently wanted to take pictures with my camera. I let her have a go the other day and the result was pretty impressive. On this link, the picture that she took is the second one down, under the picture of her brother with a smoothie face. She took a picture of her brother nursing to sleep. She could only hold the camera with her hands, so when she told me that she had the shot she wanted I pushed the shutter.

http://wwwsunshinethroughthewindows.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-week-in-pictures.html

[shelli]

That's a great photo. I would love to know more tricks on how you photographers put people at ease during photo shoots!

[kristin]

that is an AWESOME shot! wow. great idea.

[renee @ FIMBY]

wow, what a great photo! And such a cool story.

[Stephanie]

I asked my 14 year old sister in law to take some shots of my daughter and I last week, and they turned out beautifully! Different than what I would have done, and they're the better for it :)
Here's one-
http://flickr.com/photos/32835633@N04/3272113350/

[Lu]

What struck me about this picture is this...that is the perspective of a child. This is what they see when they look at us. They are the eternal optimists and I love that about them. No matter what, they look up to us even when they get older. I love what this shot represents.

[Sue Henry]

One of my blog posts with the most visits, was entitled "The Guest Photographer," featuring photos taken by my four year old grandson. http://suehenryphotography.wordpress.com/2008/08/13/the-guest-photographer/

[Kelly]

What a beautiful, beautiful photo! I wish I still owned the fresh innocence of looking through the camera with eyes that didn't know how to frame or compose, nothing but just SEE what I love and capture it. Lovely post.

I used my recently-discovered self-timer for this shot of my daughter and myself; we were both a little unsure about what happens when we look into the lens without a person behind it. We would take a photo, then turn the tripod around to review the shots, and she would squeal, "who's DAT?!!!?!" and I would tell her (in the same squealy, excited tone) "it's Mama and Piper!" and we would try again.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8702729@N02/3271328929/

[liz]

My son is 2 1/2 years old and he loves to take pictures. He has taken many photos this week. His perspective is uniquely his and his subjects include things like his cars, sister, mommy, his blankets and more. I love that he is so interested in photography. I took this photo of my son just a couple days ago while he was photographing his car set-up.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewhitaker/3270392567/

[Charlane]

I do that with my niece all the time - I haven't shared the one shot she took of her mom because she ran to the dressing room and surprised her...but...it's funny.

[Katy]

I played with a variation on that technique one time when shooting a brother and sister. I handed each of them an unloaded film camera from my collection to use as a prop. They had a blast, pretending to shoot each other...and me!

[Sharon]

My five year old loves using my camera, and I let him a lot. My three year old also wants to try it, and it usually makes me a little nervous, but yesterday, I was taking a picture of my little one and his friend, and he asked to take a picture of his pal. I handed the camera over, and he took this awesome picture. I agree that the exchange is great.

http://flickr.com/photos/queenofsheba/3271445435/

[kathyp]

i love it! and i have to completely agree! i love letting the kids take over with the camera to get a few shots. makes them feel that they are part of the process.

[Diane Schuller]

That's a great idea and such a lovely result. I have nothing to share, sorry.

[Paige]

That's so sweet! And a great tip to remember on shoots.

[Carly]

I loved this post, and just had to comment...it's my first! (yes, I am a stalker of this blog)
I really enjoy it when a child shows their interest in photography, especially when I am shooting them. Its always fun to let them help capture a few shots of mom and dad.
For this shoot, I tagged along with the family on their favorite hiking trail.
I must say, this little girl just might run me out of business in about 10 years...enjoy the photo!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2983600810_738edfeba3.jpg?v=0

[Kate at LIttle House Monday]

A project to mark my son's 4th birthday - a glimps of what is important on this stage of his journey...

http://littlehouse27.blogspot.com/2008/09/tomorrow-my-first-born-is-4-years-old.html

[sebrina]

So sweet!! Love this!

[Shelby]

Such a wonderful post and a great shot!

[bleachusd]

I do this with my little cousins... or I bring one of my old point and shoots and let them run around with it at family functions. The smiles in their photos are always so much more genuine.

[Corey]

WOW! GREAT post. It totally is an exchange. fabulous!

[Gen Gibler]

I created a photoblog for my 2-year-old nephew Gonzalo. His pictures are marvelous.

http://www.photoblog.com/gonzalo0909/

His perspective and the way he "tells a story" with his pictures are wonderful.

[rachelzana]

neat. neat. neat.

[elizabeth]

I agree. I love the expressions on their faces.

[Monica]

Oh, I agree!!! This is one reason that I encourage friends and family to take my camera and use it at will - I love to look through the pictures later and see how people reacted to whoever was holding the camera.

My niece makes a little "o" face whenever she's observing something new and taking it all in... You can see it in this picture, taken by my MUCH-taller-than-my-niece boyfriend :) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/35284982@N05/3272715117/

[camerashymomma]

what a beautiful photo! i also love knowing that mom and dad are shining that love in their eyes on their daughter behind the lens.

[nicole]

What a wonderful idea!

My kids always beg to get the hands on my camera and once a while I let them, less with the big one and the have theit own ones by now and are snappinglike crazy, but the to implent the idea the idea int hte photo shoot, ehy didn't I think of it. It's a great way to get the kids tied in and have fun in different ways and the feel so special.

[Tara]

Wow! Olivia's mom here... I love what you wrote. You telling Olivia that she could take a picture made her day ,seeing how I rarely let her touch my camera...or phone etc... The picture turned out great too! What a memory! You have such a carefree, calm confidence about you Maile you made our photo shoot a wonderful adventure to remember! My mother in law said that it was as good as when we took them to Disneyland!! Thanks again! Your Friend, Tara

[Jen Lemen]

girl you are gorgeous!
love your baby girl's perspective.