How to Get Real, Genuine Smiles From Your Kids
Children of certain age can suddenly lose the power to grin without looking like some weird gargoyle off a church! (In fact some parents do too!) The trick to getting a genuine smile is to give them something they really laugh at. Here are some things you can do:
Be prepared to laugh yourself – and if need be to wholly act the idiot. This is wearing making odd noises, funny faces, dancing around or singing a silly song comes into play.
Remember what TV programs really make them smile. Talk about it or act it out.
It’s surprising how frequently mom or dad doing something unfortunate works!
If they are old enough, do they tell jokes? Do they laugh at jokes? Look up a few age appropriate jokes prior to coming to a session or even if you’re at home taking pictures of your children so you have some jokes in your library. Here is a joke from a website with 50 funny children’s jokes (click here to read). Here is a funny joke from this site. “What do you call it when a dinosaur crashes his car? Tyrannosaurus Wrecks.”
For young children, if they have a preferred toy the photographer can use it that in all sorts of ways to make them look and giggle.
If they like a special song or rhyme, then either bring it on your smartphone or be prepared to sing it with them
Make a checklist of funny things and send it to us before the shoot, that way we can be armed and geared up.
We like to keep things fun and simple with youngsters. We understand they exchange moods from moment to moment. We will treat them with respect and generally mess around with them to help everyone get the final photograph.
But most importantly come with the understanding that they are kids. We have time to get just the right shot. I have been around children my entire life, I understand them and have the patience it takes. So what I ask of you is to come with an open mind with no expectations on how your child will act. You will need to ensure their safety of course and treat items in the studio as appropriate but do not fret if meltdowns happen (as they almost always do), it is okay. They’re kids, lets just have some fun!
