Portrait Angles
When we’re taking portraits we tend to have them simply face the camera and say “cheese”. We don’t pay much attention to portrait angles or whether we are photographing children or adults. This is deeply engrained in us, simply because it tends to seem more personal to have the subject looking at the camera, as it gives the impression that they are looking at the viewer.
This straight on approach to portrait angles isn’t always the most flattering, though. An angle that accentuates the best qualities of the subject may be a better choice. When photographing children, it helps to remember that they are full of hope and potential, so looking up at a 45 degree angle is often a great portrait angle for them.
In order to get this shot, I had the kids look out the window. There was a concrete ledge above the window, and a few feet out from the building (strange architecture, I know) and I asked them to look up at the ledge and think, “If only there was a bird’s nest on that ledge with baby birds in it…”
That did the trick. I not only got one of the best portrait angles for photographing children, but they are all looking hopeful and happy as well. I wish I had thought more about the lighting, as the two children closer to the window are a bit overexposed, but I think their mothers would appreciate a print anyway, don’t you?