The Ultimate List of Tips and Tricks For Photographing Kids – Part 2 of 4
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Okay, we’re back for round two of some handy tips for photographing children 
!
In case you missed Part 1 of the Ultimate List, you can find it HERE.
Let’s get to it then…
26. This is a popular, but effective one… Let the kids know that you’re going to either count or say the alphabet, and ask them to let you know if you get one of the letters/numbers wrong (ABCDEFQ). I find that kids absolutely delight in screaming ‘WRONG!’. It is the shot right after they call you out on it that is the one you want.
27. One photographer suggests saying the alphabet and snorting part way through (ABCD – snort – EFG). Not sure how this works but I’m guessing if your snort is awesome then the kids will love it.
28. Try coughing. This has worked well for me with babies 8months-1.5 years. They almost always look-up if not looking at me and they often find it funny and may do a little fake cough themselves.
29. When outdoors, have a child run away from you and turn around when you say stop. It usually provides for a pretty enthusiastic expression and they are typically still once they have turned.
30. Have them lie down on a bench/bed on their tummies – arms folded and head resting on arms looking at you. I have found I often get a very soft and relaxed look when I ask kids to do this.
A nice soft look (please excuse the whites being blown out)...
Sweet as pumpkin pie...
31. Scream at the top of your lungs. It will most certainly get a child’s attention . It can be good for sibling shots because there is a good chance they will collectively find it amusing.
32. I love the Vehicle Sound Machine app for my iPhone. I find that young boys, in particular, respond to the fire engine, police car, and trains, in particular.
33. Use a sticker on a chair or on the floor and ask the child to ‘hide’ it by sitting or standing on it (if you want them in a specific spot). If it’s a sticker of a bug or animal, tell the child to keep the animal warm by sitting/standing on it (thanks, Kim!).
34. Dad or Mom shakin’ their booty works every time.
Lovin' her Daddy-O...
35. Tell the kids to keep an eye on their Mom and/or Dad. Tell them ‘make sure they don’t sneak up on me’. You can probably figure out what happens next .
36. The classic ‘whatever you do, don’t even THINK about smiling’ trick. Then you can make a funny face or funny sound afterwards (like Shelly does ).
37. Try the old feather duster trick and give them a little tickle right before you take the shot.
38. Peekaboo. A classic to be sure.
I see you...
39. Try wiggling your shutter finger and say ‘watch my finger before it hits the button’.
40. Try putting anything on your head (stuffed animals, etc.). Younger kids certainly take notice and may find it amusing if it accidentally falls to the floor .
41. Storytelling. This can provide for some really soft and natural expressions. Try having Mom or Dad tell a story (as in the picture below) or you can tell one as well.
Enjoying the story her Dad is telling her...
42. Stickers again – this time on the lense hood. I typically put a larger one on (1 square inch) when the child is distracted or looking elsewhere. Then when they look up they are surprised to see a little animal/bug/etc there.
43. Use a longer lense if possible, to simply become less conspicuous in capturing the child doing their own thing.
44. This one should have been at the beginning … get rid of Mom and Dad if possible (or when necessary and if it works in your favor). You can always invite them back .
45. Bubbles. Need I say more?
Love this one...
46. Finger puppets or hand puppets. One photographer uses a hand puppet as her ‘helper’ who takes the pictures for her and has had good success with that (thanks, Tricia!).
47. Again – this one should have come in a little earlier… give kids a choice so they can feel like they are in control – “Do you want to leave your shoes on or take them off?”. (If I really want their shoes off, however, I may try ‘should we all take our shoes off?’, which often works).
48. Assure the parents that their child’s behavior is normal (unless the child is a complete hellion LOL). A photo session can be very stressful for parents, in particular, so the more you can do to decrease that stress, the better.
49. For super hyper kids, tell them they can get their sillies out for a minute and then let them go wild. Ask them if they’re gone (the sillies). Hopefully, they will say yes and you will get another window of time (even if it’s brief).
50. Books. Books. Books. Make sure to choose a book that can add to the photograph if possible.
Don't we all like to read in this position?
Interesting way to read a book...
Great for parent and child pictures...
An absolute favorite...
Can you tell I like books?
Okay… so that does it for Part 2. Expect the next installment soon!
Hey – SHARE, SHARE, SHARE – here, there and everywhere (hey, that rhymes). And hey, a heartfelt thanks for being a part of The Dedicated Photographer community of awesome photographers!
Tags: babies, tips and tricks for photographing children, toddlers
8 People have left comments on this post
Brilliant… Did’nt have to wait long for part two, ive even downloaded the fart machine for my iphone..LOL
I’m so pleased that I found your work Jennifer, my own work over the last few weeks has improved, thanks to your wonderful articles and advice..
Cheers
Lee
Awesome, Lee. That’s terrific to hear. Thanks so much.
Oh fun! You reminded me of another trick I’ve used — the “my turn, your turn” game. I let them chose a pose or a place, and then I choose one. Tell them to make their most ridiculous funny face, then they have to “trade” for a nice smile for me. And finally, in my last session I got complete engagement from a 4 and 6 year old by telling knock-knock jokes one line at a time with snaps in between:
Knock knock
(click)
Who’s there
(clickity click)
Isabelle!
(click)
Isabelle who?
(lotsa clicks here, smiles are big in anticipation)
Isabelle broken? I had to knock!!
I can feel your energy, Dani. Thanks for the extras. Love them
.
After reading part 1 of this thread I went to most recent photo shoot with all the confidence in the world, after all I had about 20 tricks up my sleeve that i read and re-read right before i left!! Well anyway, the shoot was a sort of a disaster bc i could not for no money keep the 2 year old in one spot!!! he was like lighting! and when he was finally sitting for a milisecond his 4 month old sister chose that time to cry so we did not get NOT ONE picture of the two of them together!!! failure or what?!!??!! any advice?
Hey Michelle,
Definitely not failure. Siblings – especially when you have a 2 year old in the mix – are tough at the best of times. I don’t always get the shot I am looking for, either. Don’t be so hard on yourself. The hyper toddlers are tough. The best things I find for them are simply changing up new toys CONSTANTLY. Books, blocks, cars – anything novel to keep his attention for even a nano-second. Then, when he is playing with that new toy, make a loud noise of some sort and he will hopefully look up and engage with you for a moment. I know the “Ulitimate List Part 3…’ has some more ideas as well. The other piece of advice, although I know it’s hard to do at times, is to remain calm when the house is burning down, so to speak. Part of that will come with experience. Hang in there. The next one will be better.
Hi Jennifer, after checking out another great tip from you, I popped down to my local charity shop and purchased a hand full of kids books.. Super colourful, really cheap and supports the Cancer Research Charity.
A plan with no drawbacks!!!
Cheers
Lee
Hey Lee,
.
That’s awesome.
I use those colorful books all the time