Parents often ask me how to capture that winning photograph. How do you provoke that gorgeous smirk, jovial laugh or precious giggle? Well there are lots of ways…each child is different…but here are some of my favorite tricks:
My TOP 10 TIPS on how to get great photos of your children!
1. Bribe them! Promising a cookie, lollipop or ice cream at the completion of the photo session is a great way to garner enthusiasm!
2. Put on some music. Dance and jump!
3. Sing. Whenever I sing to a child it makes them smile. A slow, genuine smile. My voice is not great….they just love to hear singing….nursery rhymes or Beatles songs…doesn’t matter…
4. Questions and silly answers…(ie: What does a duck say? Meow? Meow. Meow. Noooo?! Does a duck say moo?)
5. Reverse psychology: “whatever you do, Aidan, noooo laughing!” Works EVERYTIME.
6. Peek-a-boo! (when age-appropriate, of course….appeals from 4 months to 18 months)
7. Swing them: have a parent or another adult spin them in their arms and then freeze and hug them close.
8. Request moods: a la “simon says” show me happy! grumpy! surprised!
9. ”Favorites”: engage them by getting them to talk about their favorite things—favorite food, favorite movie, favorite color, etc…as they are describing their favorites, they inevitably look up and smile…snap away at their glowing expressions….
10. Dress up! Cowboy hat? Scarf? Butterfly wings? Rain boots? Tutu? If they get to choose they are more likely to get excited about getting their photo taken.
REMEMBER Quantity: Don’t hesitate to take A LOT of photos….You’re not going to get the one you LOVE in just a few shots….
I love shooting in morning light…sunbeams make people sparkle! These were taken on a beautiful Thursday morning earlier this month at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco…
