Tips for Scheduling Family Photos with a Toddler
When clients book me for a photo session with their two year old, they often tell me that they are afraid that their child won’t behave, will not sit still or is unpredictable. They have trepidations about booking a family photo session for these aforementioned reasons. There is no disputing the fact that toddlers are unpredictable, but that is exactly what I love the most about them. The candid nature of a pre school child warms my heart and makes for amazing photos. I personally think this is THE best age for photos. No, I have not lost my mind. I said what I said and I mean it, but why do I feel this way? Today, I'll share some reasons why.
What you call misbehaving is what makes for a truly unique family photo session. Well, for starters, you have to first embrace the fact that your toddler will call the shots at the session. You simply can not go in with any preconceived notion in mind. Instead, we will follow their lead throughout the session. My job as a photographer is to read your kid and adapt the session to meet your child’s needs. If you child is shy, we will capture photos of your child wrapped in your safe arms, if your child is energetic and needs to roam free, we will spend the session playing games and running after the child to capture fun memories. This means that what you as a parent see as bad behavior, is really more of an opportunity for me to capture your little one's personality. In order to capture family photos that are natural and relaxed, we have to let the children just '“BE”. When kids feel in control, heard, cared for, and not rushed, they are more likely to be open to participating and that is when the magic happens. The key is to let go of any expectation of how YOU want the session to flow.
My approach to photography is not about capturing stiff and rigid images. Those photos don’t tell your family’s story. My goal is to capture the energy and dynamic of your family as it is right now. I want you to have fun at your photo session. Don’t apologize for the chaos… accept it, enjoy it and let me capture the beauty of this fleeting phase in life.
No, toddlers are not too difficult to photograph in family sessions
Well, actually…this depends on what your expectations are. If you go into the session with an open mind and accept that you can not control the direction the session heads, then it will be easy peasy and stress free. I will remind you of this at the session and will tell my clients throughout the session to embrace it.
First of all, most toddlers are shy and tend to be attached to their parents at the beginning of the photo session. I love to seize this opportunity to capture your bond with your child. It is during this time, that I am often able to sneak in that “all eyes on camera” family image that every parent wants to capture. Most of the time, the kids open up afterwards, if they don’t that is fine too because we are always following the child’s lead.
The key is to remain calm throughout the session and don’t feel like you have to force your child to pose or do anything he doesn’t want to do. I prefer to take time to develop the child’s trust and 99 percent of the time, I am successful at doing so. This is one of the reasons why I do not like mini sessions with toddlers. Many times, it takes at least 20-30 minutes for the child to warm up.
How do I get a 2-year-old toddler to pose for pictures?
Easy…you don’t pose them. I will follow the child’s lead and slowly ease them into “posed” situations, but in a way that is natural and involves some sort of movement and activity. This is why outdoor sessions work better than studio sessions. It allows the child to roam free.
For example, if pre school aged child is shy, let’s chat a little at the top of the session while you snuggle your little one. This will make your child feel safe. Eventually, your child will see this as a signal that everything is OK and we will be able to proceed with the photos.
On the other hand, if you child loves to explore, we will let him roam and capture images of him having fun. We will embrace this need for exploration and use it as a device to capture interactive, high energy and fun images. After all, real laughter is the best.
How do I keep toddlers still in pictures?
Again….you don’t force it. Are you seeing the pattern here?
I will typically get the toddler to sit still by presenting it more as a game or interactive experience. I have to be quick because most of the time, a toddler will only sit still for 30 seconds max, but that is all I really need to capture an amazing portrait.
If you are looking for sitting photos, then a studio photographer would be a better match for you. If you are looking for authentic memories and an interactive experience, then an outdoor session with me is perfect for you.
How do I photograph toddlers outside?
It's all about embracing your natural surroundings and using it to your advantage. If there are flowers available, let the children pick flowers, if there are rocks let them climb them or skip the across a lake, if you are at the beach, let’s jump through the waves. The key is to let the child explore and play and have the parents participate. I definitely give guidance throughout the session and often times some prompts to help facilitate the action. I also directing you into the best possible light. Sometimes, no prompts are needed at all and I a documenting moments as they naturally unfold.
How can I get toddlers to smile for pictures?
You don’t force it. I love a child’s natural expressions and personalities. Some kids are serious. I love that. A beautiful portrait DOES not need to have a big toothy grin. I love those images too, but only if it is authentic. If you are playing and engaging with your child, a smile will naturally unfold. If I need to resort to fart jokes to elicit laughter, I am not above that either. Good laughter will provide authentic smiles.