As a mother to an active, energetic toddler, I am the first person to understand how tricky it is to get your children to sit still for a single picture! Although I specialize in lifestyle photography, I love to get posed photos here and there like any other parent. I remember struggling to get posed photos of my son during his first year as he got closer to turning one – he just got more active and didn’t want to sit still! It was only after a lot of trial and error that I learned tips to get your kids to smile for photos.
Photographing my son and all of the wonderful families I have had the pleasure of working with has taught me a few tricks to use that work particularly well with the young ones. Most of them are short (and quite silly). They work wonders, though. Next time you need to take a posed photo, try these simple tips to get your kids to smile for photos!
3 Simple Tips To Get Your Kids to Smile for Photos
- Play their favorite song on your phone – this will often get them to smile at the very least! This song always brings on a grin. Upbeat songs work wonders and will often promote some dancing. Make sure you have your camera ready for that first initial reaction.
- Perform an exaggerated fake sneeze. This one is gold – the more exaggerated, the better! Kids will often pause what they’re doing, smile, and wait for the next sneeze (if they’re not already rolling with laughter)! This is my favorite trick that I always implement during sessions.
- Make animal sounds. Yes, I am not below looking and sounding ridiculous to get a great photo. You really have to sell this one to make it work. When you do, it can be transformative. Go through different animals to keep it interesting, or even have your little one guess what animal you are imitating.
Once you master the tips above, I recommend learning more about how to take good photos on your phone. You will have killer images!
Good luck, my friends! Let me know if you have success with any of these not-so-sneaky strategies.
All the best,
Marie
Marie Elizabeth Photography – DC Fine Art Photographer
Best of luck implementing these tips to get your kids to smile for photos!
Marie Elizabeth Photography specializes in fine art Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photography. She is based out of Washington, D.C. and serves the areas of Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Falls Church, Vienna, Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Kensington, Silver Spring, College Park, and Riverdale Park.
It is always an honor to serve as your DC Fine Art Film Photographer. I provide a custom, luxurious experience to lead you every step of the way – beginning with a planning guide to make you feel confident and prepared, a consultation to achieve your portrait goals, a client wardrobe, hair and make-up artists, and finally, artwork to adorn your walls and preserve your memories forever. Let me be a part of your story today.
Marie Elizabeth is a newborn photographer serving DC, MD and VA. She creates elegant, romantic, and whimsical fine art for nostalgic mothers with a full-service experience. Marie offers maternity, baby, family, milestones and motherhood photography.
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