The holidays are fast approaching! With everything you have to do to get ready, holiday portraits are usually at the top of the list. Sometimes it’s hard to get children to smile and participate in pictures, so here are a couple of useful tips and tricks I like to use to help you survive your holiday session.
Babies can be tricky. I have found that if they are seated while holding on to something like an ornament, candy cane, their favorite toy, or something else that relates to the image - they are less likely to move around during the session. Clapping and playing peek-a-boo also helps to get a smile!
Toddlers are always on the move, so getting them to sit still can be almost impossible. I like to use props that will center their energy. My favorite is a rocking horse; they move and smile at the same time. It also helps to sing a song and make silly faces to get their attention. This can be a lot of work, but worth it in the end.
Older kids are not as hard to keep in one place, but they fight against smiling and participating. Sometimes I think it takes a little reward to get them in the portrait mood. When I photograph my daughter I always promise a special movie night with her if she does well. Laughter works well, too. Parents who can jump around and make silly faces while their child is being photographed are always welcome. This makes for a genuine smile and brings out their personality.
It’s important for parents not to get frustrated when your child is getting their picture taken and things are not going well. I know it’s hard to do when all you want is the perfect image of your child. Sometimes it’s just not in the cards; if your session starts to go south, stop and have your child take a break. Bring a snack and have them re-group. 9 out of 10 times this gets them going again. When booking, keep in mind to maybe schedule your session for after they have had a good nap and a full tummy. Hopefully you will have a perfect session and everything will go as planned. I always think it’s better to be prepared.
Bring a new, unwrapped toy to your session to donate to Toys For Tots, and you will receive a free gift!
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