How To Pick The Right Backdrop When Photographing Kids
You may be a photographer who has worked with adults for a while but has decided to branch out into taking pictures of families or children for their parents. You may be just beginning your photography career and wonder how to pick the right kid photo backdrop to make the child stand out while also bringing out their personality to make the best picture possible.
Here are some tips on how to pick the right kid photo backdrop to make sure your pictures are the best they can be.
Choose The Right Backdrop Size For Each Picture
One of the first things to think about is what size of backdrop do you need when working with children? Kid photo backdrop options are more scaled down in terms of size than for adults but the premise is the same. The size of the backdrop will depend on the type of photographs you are going to be doing.
You will need larger sizes if you are doing full-body photos or if there is more than one child in the picture. You can choose wider backdrops for multiple kids or if they have props with them such as a model car they can sit in. Or, you can choose a smaller backdrop if you are doing portraits or school pictures.
Solid Colors Or Other Images On The Backdrop
Your next decision is whether or not to choose a backdrop that is one solid color or should you choose a backdrop that has other images on it such as their favorite cartoon character or a playground picture. This will depend on what the parents would like to see and the type of image you are going for.
If you are going for a playful and fun picture, then perhaps a backdrop with a spaceship or oversized moon behind the child could be a fun backdrop. This can really capture the child's personality and their potential love of anything space-related. Or, if you are looking for a more dedicated portrait of the child, then a solid color, one that really showcases the child themselves is the better option.
You can work with the parents to determine what backdrop works best in this case.
The Type Of Backdrop Mount
You also need to consider the type of backdrop mount you need. If you have larger backdrops, you aren't going to be taking them with you to photoshoots in a park or at a school. These can be permanently mounted on your wall or through a support system of stands and bars.
If you need to be more mobile because you are taking pictures at a birthday party, collapsible backdrops work the best. They are easy to fold and unfold and you can set them up quickly. You can also use the X-Drop system which is a stand in the shape of an X that is easy to put together quickly, and since it's smaller, it is easier to travel with.