Candid Family Photography

I want to be polite, but on the other hand, i'm into candid photography, so if I ask and want to take a picture shortly thereafter, they'll be prepared which ruins that natural scene.

I like to take candids too. I usually say something like "if nobody objects I may snap a few pictures". Then I wait until people are engrossed in conversation and discretely take some photos. If at all possible, I avoid using flash and shoot by available light. As long as you don't attract too much attention to your picture-taking, people tend to forget about the camera. If someone does notice, I'll make light of it and say something like "don't mind me, I'm just playing with the camera". At large gatherings, you can make like a paparazzo, flash and all - just grab a shot as you approach, chat for a bit, then move on.

2008-09-07 21:38:04 by William

Here is a montage of three recent photo shoots we have done with some great looking Nelson children.

I don't have any children in my family, but I need to take candid photographs of children for my photography course. I was thinking of just going to a park, but that would seem creepy. Should I ask the parents' permission first? How can I possibly ask every parent in the park??..I just don't know who to go about it in the most appropriate way.
Any suggestions will help, I'm a girl BTW

Although it is perfectly legal to take candids of anyone (including children) in public, should someone see you doing so they will not doubt automatically assume you are a "kiddie fiddler".

Therefore, it is always best these days to speak to the parents of the children where possible.
Carry a business card and if possible carry a mini portfolio so they can see samples of your work.
Offer them a free print or the like.

2009-06-12 15:33:51 by Dolly P

I have to do an internship and i want to do one at a photography studio . I found one that i liked the images at and i called though they told me to email them. Does this sound like an appropriate email ?

Hi ,I am a student at (my school ) and I really enjoyed looking at your images, especially the candid family portraits. I was wondering if there are any opportunities for a 24 hour internship. I am really interested in the photography field and I have doing photography for three years, here is my photography portfolio if you would like to take a look :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annafur/set s/72157622551406552/detail/?savedsetting s=3916337789#photo3916337789

Thank you for your time -

My name




Do you think that i should included my portfolio ? Or does that seem too pushy ?

Thanks :)
I called and she said that the photographers are busy/not there and that it would be better if you emailed them. The receptionist also said that they don't usually do internships , but i could give it a try . I have to do this for school , it's a requirement that all seniors do a internship of some sort.

If the guy i work for sometimes got a look at your portfolio he would love to get you in,

have had a little go at a redraft - use what works for you - used some ego rubs and marketing "secrets"......


i dont get the 24hour thing? this means you want to work there for a day?

Find out the persons name - Hi - is a little impersonal i think - address the email to the name - people like seeeing their name - - -

Dear Ansell

My name is Afurr, I am a student at sweet valley high.

Recently I had the pleasure of viewing your work, the candid family portraits really appealed to me as does your style.

I would be grateful if you would consider me for a 24 hours internship, which is a requirement for my school.

I am really passionate about photography and have been enjoying it now for three years.

Here is my photography portfolio for your viewing pleasure, any feedback from you would be really great :

(link to the furrs work)

The opportunity to observe you working and making images would really be a honour and a big deal to me.


Kind regards


The furr


PS - I make great coffee and hold reflectors very steady.









make sure you follow up - its alot harder to say no face to face......

2009-10-09 15:38:41 by Annafur

i would really like to become a professional but am more interested with photography as art. i love taking candid shots and landscape/scenic shots. i do a little bit of portrait photography with my family. but i am just using an amatuer nikon. i would like a more professional camera to build a portfolio. i also want to take some classes. should i just see what the instructor recommends to buy? or can i buy a professional camera and use that in any class i take?

I would highly recomend getting a Canon Rebel XTI. You can purchase the body for a decent price off of amazon.com What ever you do, buy your own lenses. The kit lenses are garbage. I shoot weddings with my XTI, and use a sigma 28-70 lens. Its not the best, but better than the kit lenses and works well. If you are going to be doing anything you want to have that "professional" look to it, invest in a good flash. A good flash makes all the difference. I use the Canon 430EX....its a nice flash. You can get all of that for less than a grand. Not bad for a professional grade 10megapixel SLR camera.

Nikons are nice as well. I used to use Nikon. I went to Canon because I feel there is more gadgets and lenses made for Canon. Also the prices seem to be a little bit less. Personally I would go with Canon, but whatever you do, stay with Canon or Nikon. You will pay way too much for your lenses, flash, etc if you get a Sony, or anything else. If you want, check out photo.net for lots of camera reviews and opinions from professional photographers. Hope this helps.

2007-07-11 08:45:15 by saveit

Photography has always been a passion and hobby of mine ive always saved almost all of my pictures. i love to capture candid moments and see things and take pictures that no one else would have thought to look twice at. I want to learn every aspect I can when it comes to the photography business. Family portrait studios mildly interest me, but I would like to work with a photographer that is more broad, however i know beggars cant be choosers. I have thought about emailing studios around the area and asking them if they have any positions available but I wonder if that would be too tacky? would that turn them off to giving me a job opportunity? what is the best way to go about this?
i have started to put my portfolios together and printed almost half of my pictures, but my pictures have not been done with a professional camera due to low funds, but you would never be able to tell.
I am in the Indianapolis area.
Any advice on photography or how to get a photography job at only 22 will help! thank you!
Thank you soooo much to everyone who answered! all of the answers were so insightful and educating that i couldnt just pick ONE best answer! thanks alot guys!!

I looked up every studio photographer in the town I lived in, and visited each one, with my portfolio in hand. I asked if they had work. One hired me. For the most part, I was only answering phones and taking appointments, but eventually he did start to show me how to set up lights for portraits.

2009-09-07 16:03:39 by Stevi H