Children of the World – Picture Perfect Portraits
Portraits give you a picture of the soul. This is something I have always believed. When we travel, we meet so many sweet and curious children of the world that absolutely love having their photos taken. Over the years we have taken away memories to last a lifetime from children that have touched our hearts. Their smiles will be forever engrained in our memories and today we want to share some of our favourite moments with you.
Portraits: Children of the World
A portrait of innocence in Sri Lanka
While visiting Sri Lanka, we had the pleasure of visiting a small school in the jungle where our tuk tuk driver was donating shoes to the children that he had spent the last year raising money for and had hand made in the Southern Town of Galle. This little girl stole our hearts as she helped hand out the boxes to the other school kids.
A little smile for a picture in Mongolia
Traveling through Mongolia was one of the most welcoming experiences we’ve ever had. Everyone was happy to stop by our camps and say hello. They were excited to have us visit their country and they were interested in knowing why we were there and where we were going. It was the children on horseback that really caught our attention. As young as five or six years old these kids can ride a horse like nobody. They would look after hundreds of heads of cattle and goats while sitting high upon their steed. Whenever we stopped to say hello, they sat proudly to post for a picture. It really makes the perfect portrait.
A picture perfect look of mischief in Burma
In Inle Lake, Burma we rented some bicycles to ride around the countryside. We happened upon these two boys who absolutely loved posing for us. It was like a fashion shoot on the top of an ox in the middle of a field of South East Asia. They were as mischievous as they were clever and they did not want us to leave. We find that so many children of the world love having their photos taken like these two boys. One of the most rewarding things you can do is show a child their photograph and watch their faces light up as they see themselves for the first time.
A Picture of strength in Malawi, Africa
While cycling through Africa, we rode for Plan Canada and had the opportunity to visit a few of their projects on the continent. This school in Malawi is something to be proud of and we were happy to see the good work that Plan was doing with the money they received from donations. This school was filled with healthy and happy children learning mathematics, playing in the playground, eating healthy meals thanks to their garden and received regular check up from the health care workers that visited regularly. We were followed by crowds of children our entire time there and this girl’s striking eyes stood out to us. Carrying her little sister on her back, she never left our side.
Work starts young in Rajasthan, India
While attending the Shilpgram arts festival in Udaipur, India we were dazzled by this young girl selling arts and crafts at her parents booth. She seemed to know that everyone was captivated by her as she stood still piercing our souls with her intense eyes. When I asked to take her photograph, she gave a simple nod and stared right into the camera. Proud, strong and determined. She may be hard at work, but just like so many children of the world, this young girl was excited to have her picture taken and loved the attention.
The beauty is in the eyes in Fiji
Fiji is an island that seems to be filled with the happiest people on earth. It was during a kava ceremony that this young girl watched on from the door. She sat and enjoyed the festivities from afar but you could see that she wanted to join in. Once the dancing began, Deb went over to her and grabbed her hand and they danced around the circle together for song after song. It was one of those moments where we were invited into a community and felt a part of the celebration.
The gaze of a child in Black and white in Nepal
While trekking to Everest Base Camp we happened upon this little ham that was doing his best Zoolander poses for us all. He rolled around on a bench laughing and posing as each trekker walked by. He couldn’t stop giggling, but we were patient and waited for the crowds to pass and snap their quick photos. Once he calmed down at bit, he took a look at us and stared innocently into the lens of the camera. After I showed him the photograph, he started laughing uncontrollably again. It was then that we finally knew it was time to move on. This little guy was having a blast basking in the sun.
A young farmer poses for this picture on a roadside stop in Ethiopia
You may have heard about the times that children pelted us with rocks in Ethiopia and you may have heard us complain about how difficult it was to cycle through that country, but it is also an incredibly beautiful place. Life is hard there and even though the kids have an odd habit of throwing stones at foreigners, they are still extremely adorable. Their smiles light up the land and you can’t help but forgive them for trying to take you out as you ride by with that seemingly innocent staff.
When taking photos of children of the world, it is very important to be sensitive. Ask their permission, don’t invade their space and if they don’t want their photo taken, don’t take it. Many children will run up to you to ask to have the photo taken, make sure to kneel down to their level so that you aren’t hovering over them when taking a photograph.
Can’t get enough of happy children of the world? Check out this beautiful Photo Essay: Korean Children Playing Soccer by Nomadic Samuel.
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I love portraits, and these are beautiful!
Thanks Nateniale. We have quite the collection of them. We are going to have to share them in the coming weeks. We have met so many amazing people during our travels
These pictures are fantastic, and we love that you included the stories behind the photos.
Thanks Gals! Each picture carries a special memory.
Great photos, thanks. What is it about Nepali kids that makes them so adorable?
I know eh! They are just the cutest kids. However, I am going to have to say, after visiting Mongolia, it has definitely given Nepal a run for its money it kid cuteness.
They are all so gorgeous, amazing shots!!!!!!!
Thanks Andi, much appreciated.
Wow! Amazing shots.
Beautiful photos! Sometimes it’s so easy to get caught up taking photos of landmarks or scenery that we forget that the true spirit of a country often lies in the faces of its children.
You are right. The scenery around us can be awe inspiring, but it is the people of the place that make the memories.
Really amazing photos!
Great photos! I love the one of the young girl in Fiji.
wow.. absolutely fantastic! it’s all in the eyes – so touching.
I agree – people are the best part of travelling! Excellent shots as usual.
Great collection of kid’s portraits!
Beautiful photos, these kids’ eyes tell a story by themselves..
As usual, your photos are awesome!
Beautiful photo essay!
These are all wonderful, but I would like to frame the girl from Malawi. Movie-star gorgeous!
Wow. Just wow! Spectacular!!
Great photos guys!
The little snippets make the pictures!
Wow these are really impressive shots that should be on the cover of National Geo magazine. : )
Thanks Sarah. You don’t have any contacts there do you?
Fantastic shots. What do you find the best way to photograph shots like these is? I’m always sensitive about it given that I really don’t want to be mistaken as a creeper. Being male, and in my 20s. Do you find that it’s more acceptable for one or the other of you to take the photos? Do you typically have some rapport built before you photograph the kids?
Hi Alex, We always talk to the children first and make sure to show them their photographs. We also make sure to get down low on their level, not take photos from above. We kneel and squat and if their parents are around we talk with them as well. When it comes to photos for anyone, we normally ask permission. Most people, especially kids love having their photographs taken. In many places, they see your camera and ask you to take a photograph for them! Dave almost always takes the photographs, he has a great way interacting with people.
I’m glad we could introduce you to Bagan in Myanmar. It is really amazing and not many tourists go there due to the situation in Burma.
Amazing photos! And you have changed your website layout as well! looks good!
wow. amazing pictures. love especially the second one…
He’s great isn’t he? Hard to believe he was looking after an entire herd of cattle and goats. Just him and his little brother. Adorable and proud
Amazing photos as usual. So cute too!! Thanks for sharing these.
Glad you like them Bobbi Lee, thanks for stopping by!
Soooo good you guys.
Thanks Candice, much appreciated.
Love this series- great photos. Really like how you captured such a place and time in their faces.
Thanks Bob. Much appreciated. I make sure to get down to their level and interact with them so that they are comfortable with me taking their picture.
love the pictures.
The one with the girl with the doll looks a bit different, did you “unfocus” it to make the girl stand out more?
Hi Cailin, I used a shallow depth of field for the effect.
Kids keep being cute all over the world from all backgrounds, cultures and countries.
beautiful pictures with different world color.
Thanks Hailu, very true there the world is so colourful.
Amazing photos! Really different colors and faces. It is really proven that we have different cultures and countries. It was a great post. I really enjoy watching the photos. Different beauties.
Thank you Angelle. You are absolutely right. Each culture and nation is very unique and wonderful.
I absolutely love these photos! Children of the world make such excellent photos. Some of my best photos that I have taken, have been of children.
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