I work at a Fortune 200 company and somehow I lucked into photographing the children this Saturday sitting on Santa's lap. I think I'm ready to go but I've never tried shooting 300 kids in succession (that's what's expected after the last 2 years). Any ideas on how to keep my sanity and keep the kids entertained while on the big guy's knee? I thought about handing out Red Ryder BB guns but decided against it. I've seen some people use multicolored feather dusters to get and keep a young one's attention for the few seconds it'll take to get the shot. I'm sure something brightly colored would help but what? A ball is too cumbersome to hold. I do at least have my remote timer control/shutter release, my AC adapter and my tripod. When we took our daughter for a shot at a local portrait shop the photog handed her a bean bag doll to hold. Should I have a toy or two to hand over to the kid to keep them smiling for a few minutes? Help me!?!
Not sure of the age of these kids, but a large bag of candy canes should work. Have the company pick up the tab, and hold one in your hand. Tell them the candy is all theirs as soon as the pic is over.
The good thing about a situation like that is that you won't have to fiddle around with camera settings. You can set up your composition, focus, and other settings and maintain them for every photo. That will free you up to keep the kids' attention...
Hey dont get discouraged when a few kids end up crying or scared to death of santa! I watched a few last year! Try something that makes noise like some of those plastic music toys shakers tamberines nothing to shrilling though like a whistle! A soft plush animal is good to! And then let Santa help you by giving the child what they want lollipops or candycanes (have both lollipops is better for the smaller ones)
Definitely find a helper. Someone to wave the toy, get the kids ready, keep the line orderly,etc. This would keep your concentration on getting the shot.
Colorful noise making toys would help. Some kids are so use to digital cameras so they may want to see the shot afterwards.
I do this all the time... I work at an active portrait studio.
Hmm.. 1) take yer tylenol first... LOL
okay...
The most unobvious thing to be aware of is to let the parents know that you will be "playing and talking with the child to keep their attention, and to get them to look at you and the camera." This is because any attempt for them to get them to smile, laugh, or otherwise, will only make the kids look at them, and they are not likely to be next to you or behind you. Makes for a bad photo.
Wow! 3.5 hours of families lining up to have their shots made with Santa. It was cool and I loved doing it. I'm not sure about posting any of the shots since I don't own an outright copyright (I was donating my time for my employer in a community outreach capacity). Lemme just say I learned some and I enjoyed it alot. I'd be willing to do a couple mass photo ops from time-to-time. Just setup the camera, meter for the scene and spend the next 210 minutes just saying, "Look at the puppy/reindeer/feather duster Justin/Emily/Nathaniel. How about a big smile? I know you must have a big smile in there; you're too cute a little boy/girl not to. Why don't you let Santa see you have a big smile?"
Actually in retrospect, I'm tired from working late last night and standing on my feet all day (as oppossed to standing on what) but the experience was really cool and fun. Hope I get to do it again sometime.
