5 TIPS FOR GETTING GREAT SMILES FOR YOUR PHOTOS

You know your kids have great smiles, but unfortunately just saying “smile!” or “say cheese!” may not be enough to get them to give you a stunning, natural smile for your photos. Try out some of the following tips to encourage more smiles the next time you photograph your kids.

Toys

Let your kids play while you photograph them – it will make the session a fun one and will result in more natural facial expressions. As a photographer, you’ll have more luck if you get down on their level (i.e. the floor) and use a continuous shooting mode, which will let you capture those minute, fleeting smiles.

Bribes

Remember before you had kids and you swore you’d never use bribery to get them to do something? So do most parents. When it comes to really uncooperative kids sometimes bribery is the only option to get them to play along. Try not to make it a habit; otherwise they’ll be expecting candy every time you pull out the camera.

Good Timing

Try to plan your photography sessions with your child’s mood in mind. Right before nap time or when they are hungry are not likely to result in a positive session. If you schedule photography sessions for when they are in a good mood you’ll have a much easier time eliciting smiles.

Distractions

Is there a particular activity that you child loves to do? Painting, baking, making a mess, or building a snow fort will let your child have fun and will give you a chance to capture their personality while they are doing something they enjoy.

Give Up

There’s not hard and fast rule that your child has to always be smiling in your photos; you want to capture all sides of their amazing personalities. Sad, tired, temper tantrums, or just plain mad – take a few minutes to capture all their moods. Alternatively, call it a day and try again later!

Do you have a tried and true method to get your little one to smile for photos? Please share!