How to photograph teenagers 2022? – Image Work India

Photographing teenagers can be one of the great challenges for everyone who approaches portrait photography. Why? Because adolescents are at a stage where the image and definition of personality is one of their great concerns. Thus, portrait photography can be demanding and at the same time very satisfying. In addition, with mobile access to photography from an early age, many of them have knowledge, or at least ideas of how they want to pose and how they want the result to be, something that was unthinkable 15 years ago.

Some have more experience posing for social media than a model and they know all the tricks. Others are shy and it will be difficult for you to break that barrier. So, today we are going to talk about how you photograph a teenager with some tips and tricks.

1. Explain the process and show results:

The first thing is to explain a little how you work and that they can see photographs of other jobs so that they get an idea, and above all, to remove their shame, shyness, or fear. If they know what is going to happen at all times, and can get an idea, they will feel more secure, they will gain confidence and that will be reflected in the photos. It will also help them to see photographs of other people (if they do not already carry them) in magazines, on the Internet, etc; to see exactly what you want or expect. If they are going to pose, do not hesitate to pose first and so that they see that you are not going to judge them and make them smile, that will also help them gain confidence. Poses can be something fun and carefree where nothing happens if a couple of exaggerated poses or of any kind are made. The important thing is that they feel free and safe and do not think that they are making a fool of themselves.

2. Listen to your model:

Teenagers know exactly what they want today, they have seen thousands of photographs every day and they are very clear about both the practice to pose many of them and the style they are looking for, after so much bombardment on the net. It is essential that you listen to them carefully, that you show interest, and that you let them tell you everything they want to express, what they care about, etc. Listening to them will help you to know what they want, to plan the session, to discover possible difficulties, and also to gain their trust. Many teens want to be treated like adults. If you value their judgment they will feel respected and you will also have earned their trust. Even if you later want to propose something other than what they have in mind, you will have an open audience rather than a hostile one.

3. Find their personality:

Although they are not adults yet, they are not children either, so forget those photos with a wide smile and good faces that parents and grandparents would love. It may appear, but it is not what they are looking for or what they want to project. Explore what they would like to project with the expressions and poses. For example, some want to appear seductive, others “bad”. Going from the selfie to the portrait can be something very interesting for them and new, take the opportunity to explore aspects of their personality. It is very important to discover its essence, its expression, to achieve this it is necessary to earn its trust.

4. Earn their trust:

This is very easy advice to give and very difficult to achieve. Treat them as you would an adult, with respect, affection, and always listen and value their likes and opinions, even if you disagree. Value all their opinions and listen to them carefully. If you listen to what they want and how they want it, you can propose other alternatives that respect their wishes, other ways to achieve what they are looking for without criticizing their ideas, simply contributing others that are better and explaining the cons of theirs in case you are not there. according to them.

 

 

5. The adolescent and their space:

For adolescents, there are many elements that are a symbol of who they are: their way of dressing, combing their hair, putting on makeup, their accessories … Everything is much more thought than in adults because they are in a phase of their life where they need to define themselves, define who they are, and that search for identity and, above all, that expression of their identity, they show it in all the details. However, there is one aspect that few pay attention to the environment. For many teenagers, their room is their temple. In it they keep their most precious treasures: their guitar, a particularly valuable collection of records, comics, or movies, is their place for gaming. etc. Talk to your model and find out what they like the most, what they are proud of, and what think defines them. Maybe you have a unique and personal decoration. Try doing a session while playing his musical instrument, while playing, or next to a shelf with some of his favorite objects.

 

 

Also, if your bedroom is not a space you are especially proud of, you still have options within the space. Many love to spend time in the park or perhaps with the skateboard, playing basketball … Find that space where they feel like a fish in water and you will have a personal decoration and a comfortable, safe model that will offer you many more options posed.

 

 

 

6. Innovate: Be creative. 

Taking a photo of a young person was long ago something as or as little complicated as at any other age, however, with Instagram and the cameras of smartphones they are very used to taking pictures at all hours and everywhere. Before, photographs were taken at certain events or specific dates, but now “posed” photographs are something much more common. So how do you compete with this? A professional photographer has the experience and knowledge that they lack. If you are also surprised with a proposal adding innovation and creativity, you will surprise everyone.

 

 

7. Shuffle the option of photos with effects:

 

As we say, creativity is a good key to achieving photos that you like. If we want to offer unique images, it is necessary to be daring, adventurous, and launch ourselves. Sparkling violins, fire trails, games with colored filters on the spotlights, movements, and overlays, and all the post-production effects you can think of. Take the opportunity to propose everything that adults do not allow you and unleash your creativity.

 

 

8. Create an atmosphere with music:

At those ages, music is usually something important and they usually have very clear musical tastes. Ask what music they like, their favorite group or groups, their style and try to get a good selection of music to serve as a background during the session. As soon as you arrive at the studio and start listening to your favorite songs, you will immediately feel at ease and will be much more comfortable and relaxed.

 

9. Make Pinterest or Instagram your ally:

It is true that they are networks full of photos, some without quality and criteria, but they are the best catalog to share with the adolescent you are going to photograph. Send some links with photos, poses, and styles for the teenager to see your style and ask them to pass you some photos or Pinterest boards that your client likes to know their tastes. The previous work will save you complications during the session.

 

 

10. Listen to the parents:

And find a middle ground between what one and the other want, in case the ideas of each are very different. In any case, enjoy this challenge with energy and good humor and let yourself be infected by the energy and impetus of adolescents.