Have a toddler at home? I have two myself and I photograph my client’s older kiddos during newborn sessions. Here are five quick tips for getting great photos of your little love(s)!
Remember that candid photos are sometimes better than posed images.
Sometimes toddlers aren’t the best at taking direction! They are very independent, and no matter how much you beg them to smile for the camera, sometimes they will.not.do.it. But don’t give up on taking great pictures altogether! Candid photos of your kids playing, eating or even just looking out the window – without mugging for the camera – can be just as awesome!
Capture the little details when they aren’t looking.
There is one photo of my oldest daughter that makes me smile every time I see it. She’s about 19 months old and it was just another afternoon around our house. I love the sweet roundness of her toddler cheeks and the perkiness of her very first ponytail. This isn’t an image you’ll find hanging on our walls, and its significance is only obvious to me.
It’s one of those little mom moments – her first pony tail. Do I remember the exact date? Nope. But thanks to this photo, I can recall exactly what she looked like that day and it brings back sweet memories.
(c) Kristal Bean PhotographyWant guaranteed smiles? Take them outside and let them play!
My children have “photographer’s kid syndrome” and that means they groan whenever they see me taking yet another photo of them. My three-year-old is going through a stage where she refuses to smile for any photo, even if it’s just with my phone. How do I overcome that and get awesome, happy kid photos to share with family? I take my kids to the park! When they are busy playing, they aren’t focused on what mama’s doing. They have fun, I get great photos, everyone is happy!
Get down on their level.
You’ll drastically change the impact of your photos if you’re on the same level as your kids when you take photos. If they’re at the table coloring, sit with them and take photos from a similar height instead of standing up. If they are laying on the floor building with Legos, get down on the floor too!
Don’t stress over capturing perfect moments!
It’s so common these days to record the most minor moments of our kids’ lives and immediately post on social media. Sometimes my kids are playing together so sweetly on the floor and I’m dying to grab my camera for some quick snapshots – but what they love more than me sticking a camera in their faces is when mommy plays with them.
There will always be another cute moment to capture, so don’t put pressure on yourself (and on your kids) to photograph every single thing. Enjoy them while they’re little and embrace the memories you’re making right now đŸ™‚
Ready to schedule your photo session and make some memories? Let me know!
