Mastering Child Portrait Photography

Photographing children is not easy. They are not like other models. They move around. They look the wrong way. They dribble, sneeze, and cry. And, as any parent will tell you, they never do what you want them to do when you want them to do it! It is this unpredictability that makes child portraiture the fascinating challenge that it is. Capturing the beauty of children, and their freedom of spirit, in one image requires a unique combination of creativity, photographic technique, and child psychology. Mastering Child Portrait Photography contains everything you need to master the art. Written and photographed by the award-winning photographer behind the Children of London project, the book describes and demonstrates all the requisite skills: from choosing the best kit and mastering the essential techniques; through using the most effective lighting, setting, and props to achieve your desired atmosphere and effect; to learning the secrets of working harmoniously and professionally with models of all ages, and using the best post-production techniques to get the most from your prints. For the keen enthusiast, this is an accessible guide to capturing images of your children that will last a lifetime. For the aspiring professional, it is a complete handbook for a wonderful lifestyle business, one in which you can create mini masterpieces that will enhance family homes and bring pleasure to lives for generations.

Richard Bradbury’s child portrait photography is highly regarded and widely known through his annual project, The Children of London, which is retained by Her Majesty the Queen and raises thousands of pounds every year for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Richard also travels the globe shooting for The Guinness Book of World Records. He has earned many creative industry awards, including M.P.A. Creative & Commercial Photographer of the Year and S.W.P.P. Commercial & Advertising Photographer of the Year. He is currently the A.O.P. Editorial Photographer Of The Year, and Honorary President of The Master Photographers Association.