Little Kids, Great Photos | RI Family Photographer
If you have small children, you know that they’re awesome. I think so, too. You also know that they’re very busy, inquisitive, and often a bit unpredictable. This is part of what makes them awesome. It’s also part of what makes parents sometimes a little concerned about having their young children’s photos taken, whether as part of a family session or a session of their own. I’ve talked to parents who feel like maybe they want to wait til their child is older, and might be able to pay attention more and sit still. Do kids pay attention more and sit still when they get older? Maybe. Maybe not. Even some adults aren’t the best at that. But either way, getting photos of little kids is something that, as a RI family photographer, I really specialize in, and I always encourage parents to not be worried or fearful, because we’ll make photos happen.
The thing to remember is that great photos do not have to be posed portraits, with everyone sitting still and looking right at the camera. Those can be great too, but with everyone and especially with young children, it’s great to capture them having fun, in their element, showing their personalities. So what are some of my tricks for making sure I capture great photos of your little ones? Find out below.
THE RUNNING PHOTO
This photo is one of my most requested shots for parents with young children. It’s very easy to do. Children like to run and move. I simply have a child run towards me and photograph them running. Some want to do it over and over again; it’s fun to make it into a game! And they’re almost always laughing.
BUBBLES
Bubbles are the best. I always have quite a supply on hand, because you never know when you’ll need them, and maybe because I like to play with them too. Bubbles can keep kids entertained for some time and make for great photos. Little ones can blow bubbles and then try to catch the bubbles that they’ve made. For some more fun, mom or dad can stand off to the side and blow lots of bubbles (think human bubble machine) in a child’s direction while the child chases the bubbles. What fun!
SIBLING SUPPORT
For more traditional posed photos, having an older sibling or two around can be really helpful! Little ones can mirror the behavior of their older siblings. One of my favorite games to play is “I bet you can’t smile just like (insert sibling’s name)”. Works every time!
“TELL ME A STORY”
Children love to tell stories, whether they’re real stories or ones that are made up and fantastical. I love to engage with kids by having them tell me about something that is interesting to them. This will help them be relaxed and happy and will result in adorable expressions as well as the child looking towards the camera. Here, this little guy was telling me all about his new watch!
THE “FOLLOW THEM AROUND AND OBSERVE FROM AFAR” APPROACH
Often times I will drop back and let a child just do whatever he or she pleases, and capture those moments. This makes it so easy to get images of a child just being themselves. They are candid, unscripted moments that make for wonderful memories and wonderful prints.