The reason that children make such great subjects in photography is that they rarely look the same from one photo opportunity to the next. They grow up so quick.

The goal for most child photography is to capture the blissfulness and innocence of youth, to take the child's pure character and freeze it in time. This allows parents to preserve these wonderful traits forever.

The problem is that professional formal photography does not usually capture the true character of the child. Usually the child is posed in an artificial setting and told to look at a point just to the side of the camera and say cheese.

These kinds of pictures are taken at schools, and studios. Photographers make a good living taking these kinds of pictures because the same shot is easy to reproduce with different children.

While these produce good pictures, they do not really reflect anything about the child.

The tips below show how to take photos that will truly portray a child's character.

1. Use Candid Photography at a Distance – Candid photography focuses on the spontaneity of an event or subject rather than a staged setting. This technique requires the photographer be prepared to take a shot when the scene presents itself instead of setting up the scene.

Incorporate a telephoto lens in with candid photography so you can be far enough away to not be noticed.

The idea is to have the child act and play natural. Being far enough away will ensure that the child does not react to the camera.

2. Fill the Viewfinder – The child should be prominent in the photograph, not just part of it. The more of the landscape that is allowed to be in the shot, the more distractions there will be. The viewer should not be left guessing what the subject of the photo is, so use the viewfinder to crop out as many distractions as possible.

Head and shoulders shots ensure that the child will dominate the shot. Since most of a child's character is shown in his or her face, a head and shoulders shot will also ensure that more of the child's character shines through.

3. Child Action Photography – Children are happiest when they are playing, but they are also pretty fast. Being able to take good action shots is essential, or all you will wind up with is blur.

If your camera does not have an auto setting for action shots, 1/400 is usually a good shutter speed for general playing. If setting the exposure manually, be sure to also adjust the aperture and ISO settings to get the correct exposure. Take a few practice shots before the action starts.

4. Don't be a Stranger – Parents always teach their children not to go near strangers. Sometimes this can cause problems if you are asked or hired to photograph someone else’s child.

When this happens, introduce yourself. Also let the child see your photography equipment and explain what it used for. Spend some time talking with the child's parents in a relaxed setting so the child sees that they are familiar with you.

These actions should make you appear less like a stranger and help the child feel more comfortable around you.

I hope you have enjoyed my Top 4 Tips for Child Photography.