Hey Wes,

Back to the original question you posted. I'd be interested in hearing how you go about drawing out the personality of your subjects. Especially for kids, if they're particularly shy around strangers, what do you do to make them feel comfortable and open up to you.

Also, if your subject is outside in the park, and lets say we place them under the shade of a tree somewhere, but nearby there may be a patch of grass in full sun that's reflecting too much green into the subjects face. What are good ways of dealing with that. In general the kids' faces are relatively closer to the source of the "color cast" due to their heights...

Thanks!

PD

Take time, without the camera, to play with the kid, on their level. Know their name(s). Talk with them, not TO them. Explain what you're going to do, and that it will be fun.
Taking the time needed is key IMO. Kids don't live by the same concept of time, urgency, etc as we do, and if you keep that in mind when working with them it will help a lot.