How to take pictures of your kids

As parents we try to take pictures of our kids and family in an effort to permanently record our memories. You may be inspired to take pictures due to a birthday, a beautiful view, or even a new season of life, but sometimes kids aren’t willing to take pictures.

Here’s 10 tips and tricks that work for me:

1. Make sure your kids have eaten and aren’t hungry. You may even offer a snack or candy in exchange for pictures. Some parents swear on bribes but if your kids are like mine, it is not as easy as trading a lollipop for a picture.
2. Make sure they are rested. Your kiddo may still be foggy and angry if you start taking pictures right after a nap so wait 30-45 min after the nap to start snapping pictures.
3. Let them choose. If you have a flexible location, give them an option to pick where to take pictures. You may even offer outfit options but limit these up to 3 options.
4. Limit sessions to under 30min. Kids get overwhelmed and tired so let them run while you setup and keep it short.
5. Be flexible. If things aren’t working due to weather, cooperation or any reason at all, just take a break or try again another day.
6. Fun! I love to have fun props for the kids to play with. You can make anything a prop from dolls, cars to umbrellas and sunglasses. Have a few things that may match the outfits, theme or scenery so the picture aesthetic you are looking for is not compromised. The best pictures come when kids can be themselves and have fun.

7. Take pictures from different angles. Some of my favorite pictures are when I catch a shot from the side or zoom in into details.
8. Give them space: If your kiddo is getting overwhelmed, walk further away and try a wide shot. You might catch them moving towards you, see a nice shadow or rest their mood. Shoot one or two frames and if it’s not working, move on.
9. Have low expectations. Sometimes we have such a clear idea of what we want the results to be but these ideas are inside our head and no one else knows them. If you can’t get your shot, no one is going to fault you. I have felt the need to keep trying until the idea becomes a reality but sometimes life happens and we have to let it go. Getting frustrated will only make it worse, do what you can; especially when it comes to kids. Sometimes you get a shot that is even better than what you imagined because you let go.
10. Perfect is impossible.

Even adults get tired of pictures so give yourself and your kids a chance by being patient and keeping your options open. Breathe and know, there’s always tomorrow.