We all know the phrase “Don’t work with children or Animals”. Well here are a few simple tips on how to get the perfect eye contact from a child for that all important portrait.
Tip 1: Use a Flash
Now you don’t have to use the flash for the final shot, but kids are fascinated by bright lights. In the example below I told the young girl that only if she concentrated really hard looking directly down the lens, would the the flash go off. Take a few with no flash & tell them to concentrate harder. Let them have a flash shot every now again & they are hooked 
Tip 2: Dealing with shy children
If you have limited time & a shy child, you are in for a hard time. But remember, all children are inquisitive, so play on that fact. This young girl refused to look at the camera, so as a last resort I said “Oh no, I have a mouse on the camera” . Immediately the inquisitive young girl turned around to look, directly at the camera. I had to grab the shot there & then. Use your imagination , as to what could grab their attention, if only for a split second …. that is all you need.
Tip 3 : Do nothing & be patient
Sometimes it’s best to be patient & just to wait for the eye contact :-
Click on any shot to see the full res version
Anyway, have a go & let me know how you get on
(Read more Portrait Tutorials here )
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by Dave
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