It’s been exactly two years since I last did the individual portraits and class photographs for San Lorenzo Montessori. I got called in pretty last minute this year to do the pre-school photography for their 2-6 years old children. This was done across 6 centres at Bukit Jalil, Kajang, Klang, Publika, Puchong and Putra Heights.
In contrast with previous engagement then, this year’s shoot was much simpler. The individual portraits were only for the graduating 6 years old while the class pictures remained for everyone. Individual portraits were to be made into an 8RW print while the class pictures were printed in smaller 6R sizes.
The lighting setup employed in my pre-school photography was very straight forward. I was using speed lights most of the time for mobility, except once during which I used mono blocs as seen below (fourth picture below).
For the class pictures, I always used a large diffused key light to a side and strongly feathered across the scene. This acted as my main light to provide shape. It was never directly hitting my subjects as I was only using the feathered edge. For fill, I either do the same on the opposing end but dialled down way much to provide me detail, or I would bounce it on the ceiling on the opposing end (as seen above).
To keep things simple for individual portraits, I used whatever background available on site (hence, the different background colours). However, to create a more textured backdrop, as always, I scrapped a zoomed speed light across the wall behind every child for a more interesting mood. A second speed light on a gridded but softened beauty dish to either camera side was used as my key light. A third speed light on reflected umbrella was used as fill at an on-axis angle. Sometimes, I would do away with the backdrop light and convert it into my kicker to skim pass the edge of my subject’s face as separation light.
I had actually done away with the backdrop as agreed with the client as it was on a budgeted execution, hence the simplicity. Here are some samples of the class pictures.
It was always a challenge to photograph a larger class as my aim and dedicated promise to my client was to try to get everyone to be looking at the camera if not smiling. Sounds simple but it ain’t if you have a group of short-attention-span kids wondering what you were up to. But I always have a bunch of tricks up my sleeves to ensure that happens.
I needed everyone to be at least looking at the camera. Once that happened, it would be a pass. I wasn’t even judging if they were smiling, though that would have been a major bonus. If even just one child looks away or acting funny, I would have to retake. Imagine a group of more than 15 kids! The bigger the group, the more unlikely I was to get a hit at everyone being co-operative. I could be doing a composite but I was always trying to get it right in a single shot without photoshop.
That was why when it came to individual portraits of the 6 years old, it was always a pleasurable experience. 6 years old are more matured and co-operative. Posing them would never be a problem, though getting them to be natural takes a little effort!
Upon special request, I would also photograph the teachers too. Since my lighting was all setup and ready to go, it was just a matter of plonking everyone on the scene. It was definitely a much welcomed relief to get the adults photograph in just one shot!
Once all photographs were edited, I inserted San Lorenzo Montessori’s logo and required text across the bottom of all class pictures, while the 6 years old portraits would just carry a small logo at the top corner as follows, before being sent for printing.
Photographing kids is never an easy task, but it can be a very interesting and rewarding experience despite the hair-pulling trauma at times. You’ll be amazed at how often their curiosity and innocence in questions asked baffle you. For more information on our premium pre-school photography services, please feel free to buzz us.