Shy, obstinate, fidgety, disinterested-
Kids of all ages bring their personalities wherever they go, and whether you have one child or seven, getting them to take a photo can sometimes be a hassle. Preparing them for the session is the easiest way to get ahead of their potential resistance, especially if they’re in the “stranger danger” years.
For the littles, tell them about your plans to have a friend take their pictures and hang out with them well in advance, and periodically remind them about it. You could put on an at-home photo shoot to play through their questions or reservations about how the process goes. Get dressed up fancy just for fun, or put on costumes, and take turns posing and instructing one another while swapping the use of the camera/phone. Talk about and practice naturally smiling with their teeth! Kids often turn posed, big smiles into dino, lion smiles, making you wonder where those sweet smiles went.
OH, and for outfits, stick with something that you know they would be comfy with! AND, bring a favorite toy! Toys and stuffed animals bring a sweet, personal touch to photo shoots!
And perhaps most importantly, remember that a successful photo session doesn’t always include only smiling faces. It’s about capturing memories of the little humans they are right now.
P.S. Don’t forget the wipes and snacks! These are good for children of all ages. Sometimes they trip, poke the mud, have a runny nose or their yummy snack may be a little sticky! It’s nice to be able to clean up without missing a beat and keep creating photographs!
