Some days I just want a chance to photograph my kids.
On this day we headed to the woods on a little hike. I knew the light would be gorgeous at about 10am and I didn’t want to miss it.
Cocoa came with us and she was completely distracting to the girls but we just went with it.
I love opportunities like this when I can just go on an adventure with the kids and grab some fun images of them at the same time.
Photo Tip:
*When you’re out with your kids, just go with it. Try to leave your expectations at home of what needs to happen in order for you to be happy with your pictures. I know it can be difficult because you may have that ONE awesome shot you want to get.
If you’re looking for one awesome shot. Make sure the rest of the time is just pure fun.
Try this:
- make everything fun, play, laugh for at least 10 minutes
- gather for the one shot you’re hoping for
- let it take only a couple of minutes
- and then back to the fun
Why this tip? If your kids are starting to cringe or cry every time the camera comes out it’s time for some new associations with the camera. Happy memories and fun times will help them enjoy the camera again.
Do you wish your picture taking of your own family could be stress free? Make sure to watch here on the blog…I’m sharing something very soon! (that’s also free! stress free and free? sign me up!)
Photographing my kids is an adventure!
I want to hear about your adventures photographing your kids! Please tell me about it in the comments!
- What do you struggle with most when you’re taking pictures of your own kids?
- What do you wish you knew how to do better to get your kids’ real personalities to come through in a picture?
- What’s the most stressful thing that happens when you try to take pictures of your own family or kids?
Make sure to sign up for all of the super fun stuff I send from the Familyness Fort!
Davina Fear is a Familyness Adventurer. She is an expert s’mores maker and can make any photo shoot fun.
She blogs at davinafear.com and she likes the Cobb Salad at Panera.
8 Comments
Perfect for me to read this as I’m preparing to take 7 kids’ pictures (ages 7 and under) on Sunday! Thanks for the tips. =)
Lani! I’m so glad this helped. If you like this tip you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out here on the blog next week! 😉
Very good advice here…thank you! Just took my own kids pix for a Christmas card and totally did not get the shot I wanted! Honestly, when my baby was not crying my two and 4 year olds were striking silly poses! I was hoping for something fun, not too posey and festive…but I got ‘sort of posey’ in the end and just went with it 🙁
Bobbie, I’ve been there! That makes it pretty tough when it turns out to be mayhem instead of a simple picture! I love that you shared this though. Even photographers have a hard time photographing their own kids! (maybe even harder to photograph our own kids!!) I’m going to be sharing something that will help with that next week. So excited! Two and four years old can be difficult. I’ve found that if I have a project for them to do that they think is fun, I can get some great shots that aren’t posey. 🙂 Way to just go with it though!! I love that.
i think one of the most important things to do is to relax. and wait for the moment… those fleeting seconds where a look comes across their face that is SO them. it could be their cranky face, or their silly face, or their “yes, i’m rolling my eyes at you” face, or if you are lucky, the lustful, dreamy look in their eyes with just that hint of mischeif… those are the things you will remember in years to come…
not the stiff posed portrait and the “say cheese” smile…
one tip for everyone – never EVER tell people to “say cheese” for a photo, especially kids… i challenge you – go stand in front of a mirror and watch your self while you say “cheeeeeeesssseeee” over and over again. do you look like a fool? yes your mouth is in a similar shape to what it would be if you were smiling genuinely, but are you really? or do you just look strange…
I so agree with the ‘say cheese’ thing! SOMEONE taught my 2 year old the fake ‘camera smile’ which I’m so against. It was funny at first but now I just want her real smile…
Hi Amy, the ‘say cheese’ smile is frustrating isn’t it! So one of the issues you face with pictures of your daughter is trying to get a real and not fake smile from her? I’ve had that same issue. Part of it is a stage that kids go through. I think everyone of my children went through the ‘say cheese’ phase. The thing is, they move through it and past it. And you’ll have pictures to remember this phase of the cheesy smile. I know that’s not very consoling right now! haha! I’ve done lots of fun things with my kids when they’re in that phase and I’m really excited to tell you more about them next week!! It’s going to be awesome!
Great tips! I’ve become quite a fan of what I call the “micro mini session,” meaning I cap my photo session limit with the kids at 5 minutes and resist the urge for that “one more shot.” The kids are much more excited about participating since I started doing this!