As I cruise photographer’s websites I’m always amazed at how children make much better subjects than teens and adults do. Aside from those rare few adults who are blessed with a confidence-boosting outward beauty, something happens to many of us after the age of about 10. We gain self-consiousness, and we stop taking natural photographs.
My portrait style has always been more of a documentarian than a poser. Unnaturally posed shots always look unnaturally posed and like a fine grit sandpaper, awkward poses rub me wrong. With this in mind, children rarely look posed. They tend to appear perfectly natural, their comfort and personality oozes and the images tend towards beautiful.
I recently shot a series of photographs for my hunting buddy’s children. This photograph of Joshua leaps with a cool confidence that’s apparent in this energetic and happy four year old.