iShootModel.com: A different approach for Kids on Runway..

August 13, 2010

A different approach for Kids on Runway..

Very often you will find kids on the runway, showcase the latest fashion for kids. I am sure it’s not easy for the event organizer to manage these group of hyper active and cute looking kids performing their catwalk on stage, likewise, it’s also a very challenging situation for the runway photographer at work!

First of all, most photographers will have to change their angle of view to suit the height of theses kids running on stage for sure. More than often the kids will perform similar poses when they reach the end of the stage, as this is what their parents and the modeling gurus remind them to do over thousand times. So, often you get very static and strange poses printed on your sensor! (Like the one below...)

Very static and unusual pose, zero eyes contact and not engaging!

Personally, I prefer a slightly difference approach whenever the situation permits me to do so. I would like to walk and station at the sideways of the stage and to capture the kid’s expression when they finishes their standard pose and return to the backstage.

Usually, most of the kids will feel more relief and relax when they are not facing the main audience and with that, I often captured more natural expression from them and sometime some very funny and cute reactions.

The above shot was taken when the cute little girls walking in the wrong direction of the stage; the boy was panic, as both of them don't know what to do besides looking at each other’s face! It’s funny and cute! (You never get this kind of shot at the pose point in front of the stage, especially for kids)

Few points to note when shooting towards the main audience:

1. Avoid busy background (There will be zero backdrop to rely on for a clean shot), try to adjust you angle of view to mitigate it.

2. Be careful of your exposure and metering caused by the stage lighting especially when shooting it against the stage lights. Use SPOT metering if you can.

3. The sharpness of image is another challenge when shooting towards a strong light point (as the stage lights will hit into the lens). Use the supplied lens hood whenever you can to cut off those unwanted lights.

4. Shooting some hyperactive kids running on stage you need a faster shutter speed to freeze actions, take note of your exposure to avoid under-expose the images.

5. Continuous shooting mode is best to capture the kid’s expression and often it’s relatively easy to get some nice shots!

Well, shooting from the sideways is one of my “unusual” approaches and if you think it make sense to you and work for you, try it out when you have the opportunity to do so.

I would like to share a bit of information about the brand – PONEY before I end this session…

PONEY is a leading retailer in Malaysia specializing in a wide range of comfortable and fashionable products for kids. It houses three well-known brands; PONEY, RENEW and BABY PONEY. These brands offer high quality apparel and accessories for newborns, toddlers and kids up to 16 years of age.

PONEY's range of fashionable and high quality children's clothes are designed to compliment the lifestyle needs of today's modern children. Comfort, convenience and the need for self-expression are foremost in the minds of their designers.

So for all my modern mummy and daddy friends, I am sure you will find something interesting for your kids at PONEY.

More photos are HERE!

If you have some other interesting approaches to Kids on runway, please comment and share with us!

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