After 23 years, I’ve seen it all; from kids that run wild to others that are camera shy. I know you want everything to be perfect and the pictures to turn out amazing so here are a couple of tips to make that happen:
Make sure kids like what they are wearing
If your child hates what they are wearing it might show in photos. That may mean taking out that adorable hair clip or the sweet bow tie that just makes the outfit perfect. Happy kids make better photos than accessories.
Have everyone fed and bring snacks
It’s hard to calm down hungry kids! Make sure everyone has had plenty to eat before arriving and, if needed, bring some snacks that are small and not messy.
Let your child smile naturally
This is a big one! Resist the urge to say things like “Don’t smile like that, give me a real smile” or “Say cheese!”. The best way to get a ‘real smile’ is to make your child laugh. So instead of telling them how they should look, focus on being silly and getting genuine emotions from them.
Bribes and Rewards
Bribes are an excellent way to have children behave nicely during a photoshoot. Candy, toys, ice cream afterward…anything that your child finds exciting and can be rewarded with after the photoshoot is a great way to get them to comply with all of the things we may ask them to do.
Stay POSITIVE and have fun!
Your kids will pick up on your mood and at the end of the day, kids are kids; nothing needs to be perfect so try to take some deep breaths, relax, and enjoy the experience.