Note-- You will have to look like an idiot. Get ready for your finest def-comedy jam skills.
The sad clown---
Children do the cutest things, especially when the camera is at the bottom of your purse with a dead battery and a sucker stuck to the lens. The moment you have the lighting perfect, the scene is set, and diapers are changed....they put on the pout lips. Be sure to warm up the scene.... let the child explore and learn the area first.... even ignore the child while they see the scene is safe.
Here is what you can do to perk up that moment:
1. The peek-a-boo: Classic and effortless. Have a second adult/older child help you by hiding behind you and peeking out. Play along for a little bit.... "Hey, what are you laughing at? There isn't someone behind me, is there? {look back} Who's behind me!? " Once you get them giggling, keep it going by saying can you play peek-a-boo? Get a couple shots of the little person peeking out from their fingers, and be sure to get the huge natural smile when you fall over surprised by their boo!
2. The treat- If you think that candy doesn't mean smiles, you are wrong-o. Go to your local dollar tree and buy one of those oversized HUGE lollipops. If you've tried the above, pull one of these babies out from behind your back and see the big smile and watch the eyes light up! Disclaimer..... this might prove messy..... make sure you have spare clothes ready.....
3. The mess is best! The last trick for the sad sack or the serious child, Let them get messy.... Paint, leaves, mud, Cake batter, flour....anything will do the trick. It will immediately make them feel comfortable and relax, you will get lots of naturally happy shots, and they will be non-traditional
What doesn't work...... Noises and weird faces...... Kids who are shy, serious, or sad will be scared away by a strange person or their mom/dad making weird noises and faces. It makes an already uncomfortable situation even stranger
The Mover and Shaker....
What do you do when the photo subject will not sit still for a photo (like years 1-5 years old)? Well first, put on your running shoes, and get ready for a little exercise. It's best to embrace this moment in the child's busy life. Everyone gets those half faced blurry nightmares and you know you saw a smile in that blur, somewhere......
1. The game- First things first from a photographer's point of view.... make a game out of the wiggle worm. "I bet you can't collect a full bucket of leaves in one minute...." let the child run around happily with a prop! The child will be natural and cannot be too out of control because they have a task. They may be focused or serious for a minute, which is okay....as this allows you to focus on the small features of the child, like the hands, face, etc. You can also do things like "make a snowball and throw it!" Family sledding photo shoots, running through a field, playing on a playground, jumping off objects, riding a bike....and the list goes on and on. Use phrases like, "let me see how fast you can run?" "How SLOW can you run?"
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| The mover (frog hops) |
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| The Mover (swings) |
2. The what, WHAT?- As the child is being hyper or running around or refusing to sit, say something really goofy, but say it seriously....... Like, " Oh, Jimmy- I heard your bedroom is filled with watermelons? How do you sleep in bed at night when it is full of watermelons?" The child is going to be so shocked by your statement that I will guarantee that they will stop dead in their tracks, long enough to snap a few pictures... and probably will catch a really sly smile in there.....
3. The sassy pants pose game- Come up with a key word.... when I say the key word (insert child's favorite thing here) You have to strike your favorite pose. "I bet you cannot do it..." It has to be a different pose each time.
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| The sassy pants game |
The No looker-- Okay This is probably the hardest one. The kid who won't look at the camera regardless of what you do.
The toy- Make sure you have a toy that the child LOVES.... "oooooh Look what i have!!!?? Elmo! " The child will look immediately. They may not smile, but they WILL look!
The music- Have your Iphone/Ipod ready with some children songs. Start playing a song they know.... and when they look press stop. This takes lots of balance and patience. You may need a second helper in this case. When the music starts they will look up, and maybe even dance. When the music stops, they will look too.... like where is the music!? Start it again and wait for the smile... SNAP!
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| The diversion |
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| The diversion |
The diversion- If they child won't look, create a diversion.... Have two older children/Adults bounce a ball, tap a balloon around, or sing a song.
The sneak- Let the others do all the work, you hide in the shadows and be ready to snap at the sweetest moment
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| The Sneak |
The Ipad- Show a clip of a TV show, or something cute on the Ipad and hold it directly under the camera lens. It will give the illusion that the child is looking at the camera. It may not provide the best photos, so please be warned that this should ONLY be used as a last ditch effort.
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| No need for tricks when you have a photogenic child! |
What doesn't work: "Look here!", or loud noises or clicks.... if the child isn't looking, they just are NOT lookin' Try other techniques. It is also okay to take a pause and take a break during a shoot....sometimes you get better pictures during a break than during the posed shoot....
With small babies.... it is possible to use an unfamiliar squeaky toy or rattle..... in moderation of course.....
Enjoy this post and please ask any questions you have in the comment sections below! I hope to be doing another giveaway soon! Stay tuned!!
FINALLY.....
........ DON'T SAY CHEESE!
........say the most ridiculous word you can think of....... it will cause a smile before they even TRY to say it!
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