In the photograph of Nathan, Earlisha, and Michael, their faces occupy the upper right side of the frame and their legs balance the opposite side. Make a picture of a moving child more dynamic by leaving space in front of him so he appears to move into the frame rather than out. By the same token, if the child gazes to one side, leave room in that direction. In Jennifer's portrait, both of her arms and the chain of the swing point toward her enthusiastic expression. Plus, by shooting the linear elements diagonally, rather than straight down or across, the photographer added a sense of motion to the picture.
Great photos require patience and practice.
Use a lot of film and take as much time as possible to get the right shots. A photo session can be an excellent time to build the child's self-confidence and discuss the recruitment process with him. Once the shoot is over and the pictures are developed, remember to share copies with the child and the adults who are important to him. All photographs were taken by Dave Eulitt, volunteer photographer for Kansas Families for Kids.