Photographer Brandon Stanton is used to capturing big personalities on his Humans of New York blog, which features everyday New Yorkers and their stories. Now he’s turned his lens on “Little Humans,” in a new book with portraits of 30 young residents of the city. And, no surprise, their personalities are just as oversized. TODAY.com recently asked Stanton about his new project.
How is approaching and photographing children different from photographing adults?
Stanton: Whenever I want to photograph a child, I don't even acknowledge the child before I've spoken with the parent. I always explain the blog and get permission from the parent first. But once I've received permission, I forget about the parent, sit on the ground, and let the child take control of the process. Sometimes the parents have more stage fright than the child, and it can be a little difficult sometimes to discourage a parent from suggesting answers, or even answering for the child.
What’s something a child has said to you that really surprised you or made you laugh?
Stanton: Just yesterday a young girl told me that her biggest fear was getting a lobotomy.
I love the fashions and the attitudes of some of the kids you photograph! Do you think NYC kids are different from children around the country/world?
New York has such a wonderful culture of expression and individuality, so I think that can't help but trickle down to the youngest New Yorkers. But I will say that having just come back from a trip to twelve countries, there are kids with outsized styles and personalities in every city in the world.
Has taking photos for “Little Humans” affected your view of having kids at all?
Can't say that it has affected my view at all, because I've always been quite sure that I wanted to have kids one day.
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