How to Photograph Senior Citizens

Whether you’re taking snapshots at a family gathering, or photographing an anniversary couple in the studio, there are certain techniques needed to photograph senior citizens. Many senior citizens are self conscious about being photographed but with a few key stretegies, you can make the session enjoyable, and the pictures memorable.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Use a soft focus filter on close-up pictures. Smooth out the wrinkles of an aged face by using a soft diffusing filter on your camera lens. Gentling blending away a few of the deep set wrinkles will make for a more pleasing photograph of a senior citizen. If you don’t own a soft focus filter, digital images can be easily retouched later on a computer.
2. Allow the senior to be seated comfortably. Use poses that work with the seniors' posture. Sitting in a padded chair is a better option than a casual floor pose. Use sturdy chairs rather than posing stools that may be too small and uncomfortable. Don’t ask a senior to squat or sit on the floor if they have had knee or hip surgery.
3. Position the seniors' hands to keep them from being the focus of the portrait. Avoid hands near the face or neck. Gently folding their hands in front of them on a posing table or in their lap works best. Many seniors are self conscious about their liver spots, wrinkles and enlarged knuckles.
4. Speak loudly and clearly during the shoot. Sometimes seniors are shy about a hearing loss. Make sure the senior is hearing your instructions and that you are communicating directly with them. Keep background music or distractions to a minimum.
5. Let the senior wear his glasses. If they only wear them for reading, glasses are optional. Senior citizens won’t feel like they look like themselves if they are photographed without their glasses. If reflections in the glasses are bothersome, have the senior wear empty frames. An optometrist can remove the glass temporarily, or loan a pair of similar frames.
6. Shoot quickly and efficiently. Don’t take too long to shoot the photographs as the senior citizen may become uncomfortable sitting in a certain position for too long. Allow him the chance to stand and stretch their legs if needed. Plan ahead for background changes, so you don’t waste any time during the session.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice photographing senior citizens at family gatherings. Relatives will be happy to share the photos, and most likely be cooperative.

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