Obtaining natural smiles from children during photography sessions begins before the session itself. The more comfortable and at ease a child feels, the easier it will be to capture a genuine smile. To young children, I am a stranger with a camera pointed at them, which can be intimidating.
Inform your children about what to expect during the photo session and what is expected of them. Let them know how long the session will last and tell them about any rewards planned for afterwards (for your appreciation for genuine smiles)
TELL THEM ABOUT ME BEFORE THE SESSION
Begin discussing the upcoming photo session with your child and also mention me. Not merely as a photographer, but as a friend. Use my name, Tammie, and share information about me so that they feel acquainted. This will help to establish a level of trust with me before we meet.
Once I meet you, I will start talking with you right away to show your child that I am your friend. But then I will also take a moment to individually talk with your child. Taking these extra couple of minutes will really pay off when it is time to take pictures.
A few things you can tell them about me are I love animals and am actually a wildlife rehabber and rescuer for birds, all the way from tiny hummingbirds to bald eagles. I love stuffed animals. I love cooking and baking. I love playing the piano and love music. I love cartoons and one of my favorites is Rio:) I have a parrot whose name is Mango, he is very colorful...red, blue, green, orange and gray. I also have two java doves (laughing doves) who I rescued.
HAVE FUN
Children look to their parents for guidance on how to react to new situations. If you are laughing, smiling, and having fun, your children will likely follow suit. So, Mom and Dad, show excitement, giggle, act silly (the sillier the better), interact with me...kiddos think it's hilarious when Mom or Dad tickle me with the feather duster (the laugh fluffy). Assure them that it is okay to laugh or be silly during session. Your enthusiasm will likely be mirrored by them.
DURING THE SESSION
Children are full of energy and have short attention spans. They do not stay in one place for long. To capture natural smiles, it is important to keep moving. Staying in one pose for too long will result in forced smiles. Most children only last 30-45 minutes during a session so by moving fast, several different looks can be captured within this time frame.
SING!!! Children love songs! So, Mom and Dad sing away to their favorite songs. If singing is not your forte, consider loading a few songs onto your phone prior to the session.
Be silly! Actually, the sillier the better...be a total goofball! Think of silly things you do at home and do those same things during the photo session.
Play games! Children love games. Peek a boo is always a winner.
Don't ask them to say cheese. You’ve likely encountered this before, but it's always worth remembering. Children often struggle to smile on command, resulting in a clenched tooth grin when prompted. The 'say cheese' command is known to every child, who has learned to respond with a forced smile.
TIME OF DAY
Schedule accordingly to your child's daily routing. Let me know the time of day that is best for your child, working around nap times and meals can make or break a session.
PROPER CLOTHING
Make sure the clothing you have fits your child and is not too big or too small.
For studio sessions...no shoes please. My biggest pet peeve is to see the bottom of shoes in photos. I would much rather see your babies' cute little feet.
For outdoor sessions...please ensure that the outfits are appropriate for the outdoor temperature. Do not dress your child in fall or winter clothing when is 90 degrees outside, as they will get hot and irritable very quickly. In south Texas, the weather can change rapidly. While it is understandable to desire a fall look during the fall season, it is also advisable to have a backup plan with lighter clothing in case the temperature rises on shoot day.
EXPECTATIONS!!
Have NONE! This is probably one of the most important things going into a child session. In fact, child photography posing is nearly impossible. What I will capture are true moments. Your child may or may not smile...and that is perfectly okay.
0 Comments