The Mind Game
To make the child more receptive to being photographed, take the time to talk to her and involve her in the process. Ask her whether she has a preference as to where and how you take the photo. Does she want a shot with Buster, the family dog? Does she want to be immortalized on her swing set? By engaging the child in this way, you are more likely to convince her to buy into the process, which will make for an easier photography session and yield more natural-looking photos.
Experiment with Composition
Experiment with composition. While professional photographers often recommend following the ̶0;rule of thirds̶1; ̵2; mentally dividing the photo into nine spaces like a tic-tac-toe board, then arranging your points of interest where the middle grid lines intersect ̵2; you can also come up with dramatic photos in which your subject is positioned directly in the middle of the photo. Experiment with lighting. Consider trying photos lit with a reflector rather than your camera̵7;s flash. When photographing kids, shoot them from their own level; don̵7;t be afraid to get down on the ground. Photos taken from the perspective of a child can be more personal and interesting.
Props
Bringing a prop into the close-up can help tell a story and add drama. For example, you can take the close-up of the child hugging the family dog or smelling a gardenia in the backyard flower garden. Have the child wear her favorite sun hat or sunglasses. Props can add an element of fun to the photo shoot that will delight your subject and shine through in the final product.
Eye Contact
Especially in close-up photos, eye contact is a key element of your story. When the child looks directly into the lens, it creates a sense of connection between the subject and the viewer. Having the child looking at an object outside of the frame creates a sense of mystery and interest, adding another element to the ̶0;story̶1; of the photo. If you plan to incorporate a prop, a pet or another person into the close-up and the child is looking at that other object or person, it tells a story about that relationship and conveys a sense of connection.