Getting a quality photo of your kids, or any child for that matter, can be extremely difficult. Kids have non-existent attention spans and in order to get the photos you want, you need to work quickly and efficiently, but with a lot of energy and fun!
Here are some of our favorite tricks for getting children to take the perfect picture:
1. DISTRACT THEM.
Ask them questions, tell a joke, or do anything that gets their focus on something other than the fact that they are being photographed. For example, when I was trying to get a shot of the boys smiling in their ninja costumes, they refused. When I gave them swords to play with, they immediately lightened up and their faces conformed into huge grins. I was able to distract them quickly enough to capture the moment!
2. SHOW THEM WHAT YOU’RE TAKING.
Let them hold your camera and see the photos you have taken. Yes, your camera is super expensive, but a few sticky fingers won’t be the end of the world! If they see a silly shot that makes them laugh, they may be more willing to get in front of the camera for round 2.
3. LET THEM WARM UP.
Forced, fake smiles are the worst! Don’t nag at the kids too much- they’ll probably become irritable and their smiles will look strained. You probably won’t get authenticity out of them from the beginning of the shoot, but with a little goofing off and time to warm up to the photographer, you’re sure to get the photos you’re looking for!
4. GET ON THEIR LEVEL.
Having a camera stuck in your face from above can be a little intimidating. Getting down on your knees will make you and the camera more approachable. This perspective will look better anyways- photos from above tend to have weird angles.
5. LIMIT YOUR TIME TO AN HOUR OR LESS.
Kids wear out quickly- don’t push them past their limit! Look for signs that they are close to done. Shoot and move. Don’t waste time staring at the back of your camera. Knowing your gear inside and out will help you be able to spend more time interacting with the kids in order to get quality shots in a short amount of time!
6. USE THE SHARE YOUR PHOTOS APP.
Uploading all of your photos from each shoot into individual events on the Share-Your-Photos App can be helpful in organizing your favorite pictures while keeping them in their respective groups. You can give the ID code to parents or friends so that they can view the pictures right from the app album- without having to e-mail them large attachments or upload them to a public webpage!
“I loved using the Share Your Photos App for the photoshoots I did of children. I was able to give the event ID code to the parents and family so that they could view and save the pictures directly from the app- on a desktop or a cellphone. Easy peasy!”
– Dixie Hines, Photographer
* Photos Taken by Dixie Hines
Weeping Willow Photography
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