3 Secrets to Authentic Photography

I spent four years working in a school setting as a Communications professional. Part of my job was to photograph children as they moved through their school day as a way of sharing their journey with families. It was one of the best parts of my job, but it took me some time to master the most effective techniques in capturing images that tell a story.

If you've ever photographed children, you've probably noticed how distracting a camera can be. It's natural to feel self-conscious no matter your age, but children are especially vulnerable. They either shy away from or mug for the camera, but either way, they become irrevocably distracted from their work, and that makes for disappointing photos. It can be challenging to capture an authentic image in any setting, but documenting children in school can be even more challenging. Teachers are often (rightfully) protective of their students' right to remain unselfconscious in their work and may discourage cameras altogether. But their motives are pure - they are simply striving to allow children to be fully present, without distraction. They are protecting childhood.

So what's the best way to capture authentic images of children at work? There are three secrets I've found to creating the right circumstances and getting the images you want.

Tell A Story With Your Photos

An authentic photo means your subject is fully immersed in what they're doing. They're not looking at the camera, and whatever they're doing should be evident. But more than that, their expression - the look in their eyes - should convey how they feel about what they're doing.

Keep Your Distance

If you're not physically close to the subject you're photographing, you have a better chance of them forgetting you're there. They are much more likely to go back to their natural state, focus on the task at hand and give you the opportunity to capture something authentic.

Keep Your Visits Short

You don't need to be there for long to tell the story of what you're witnessing. Staying for ten to twenty minutes is usually more than enough time to catch something worthwhile. A shorter visit also diffuses any nervousness your subjects might feel.

This article was originally published on LinkedIn.