10 tips for getting genuine smiles from kids
It’s unrealistic to expect your 2 year old to sit still, look at my camera, and smile genuinely throughout an entire photo session. But not to worry, this will not stop us from creating incredible images. Just read through these tips so that we are on the same page and we’ll be ready to rock!
1 - Don't get angry
If things are not going the way that you pictured in your head then relax. You cannot force anything, so just enjoy the experience. If you get upset then not only will your kids follow your actions, but you will not look happy yourself. We want you to look happy too!
2 - Don’t bribe them to smile
I am all for bribing kids during a photo shoot, but not to get smiles. Rewards can be great for cooperation and endurance. Stuff like "we can go get ice cream to celebrate our family picture day" works like a charm to catch their attention. However, it has NEVER worked to get a real smile. Smiles come from being happy, not from bribes.
3 - Get in a good mood before the photoshoot
Getting everyone ready for family pictures can be so stressful! Don't pass that stress on to your kids. Your mood will set the pace. If you are yelling and they are fighting just before the shoot, the atmosphere is off to a bad start. Although it can be difficult, try your best to grit your teeth and keep positive so that it can be a better experience for everyone.
Each year before I get my own family portraits taken I talk with my husband and oldest son and ask them to have a cheerful attitude and help me keep things positive. This makes such a big difference!
4 - Let them say silly words
I can't tell you how many great smiles I get from children who say potty words. They say "poop" or "stinky bum" and parents respond with "Oh my goodness!!! What did you just say!?!" That's when I get my best laughs. Let them know that ahead of time we don't normally use potty words, but just for the photo shoot they can say anything they want! Boys and girls ages 2-5 seem to really love this.
5 - Let the photographer take the lead
I have had to kick parents out of the room before because the kid could not concentrate on me or what I wanted from them. Could you look at a camera and smile with three adults shouting at you giving you commands? It gets pretty hectic. Your assistance is always highly appreciated as long as it’s supporting what I’m trying to accomplish.
6 - Bring someone close to them along for the shoot.
Someone who loves them and knows what they like can be a huge asset to getting those big smiles. They can stand right behind the camera and smile, clap, dance, etc., putting your kid at ease and lightening the mood. It’s much easier to smile at someone you love than a stranger behind a camera.
7 - Smile back at them.
Family members can encourage smiling by being happy themselves. It's hard to smile when your dad is furrowing his brow and telling you to smile. It's much easier if the parents are good examples.
8 - Interact with them
I will take some classic family groupings but always include some fun interactive shots as well. When it’s interactive time then help me out by playing them in a way they love. Tickle them! Throw them in the air! Hang them up-side-down! You know your kid. How do they like to play? This generates genuine smiles from your kids, while creating fun family look.
9 - Let them pose themselves for a while.
The kid doesn't want to do what I want? Great! I will let them pose themselves. I will let them know that once they do it their way they are going to have to do some of my poses. Kids are great at making their own poses and sometimes their poses capture their personality better than making them be where they don't want to be.
10 - Speak up for your child
While the first 9 tips work well for most children they are not for everyone. You know your child and are the one who knows how to motivate and work with them. Please let me know if there is anything you’d like me to know about your child before the session so I can make accommodations for your child and work with them in a way that supports them individually.
• • • • • • • •
If your kid still doesn't smile, don't sweat it. Some of my favorite images of my children are when they weren't smiling...
