Photographing Toddlers
A big concern for families is wondering if their children, especially toddlers, will behave for the photo session. This is a totally understandable concern! Booking a family photo session is an investment of time and money, and you want great results.
Get rid of perfect
Most of this anxiety comes from feeling like we have to get “perfect” pictures. After years of working as a photographer (after working as a teacher and in TV), I’ve learned that perfect not only doesn’t exist, it’s also a bit disappointing.
You want pictures that will help you remember your family as it is now. In all its beautiful, messy, and, yes, chaotic glory. Toddlers embody this more than anyone!
Why I love photographing toddlers
Toddlers are beings of the moment. They are bright, curious, and fully embody their feelings from one second to the next.
They also challenge me to move fast!
My goal as a portrait photographer is to find moments that show who the person truly is in that moment.
Toddlers aren’t self-conscious in front of a camera. They exist only in the real moment. They don’t have a practiced face.
You won’t get a fake smile. When you get a real smile — it is real.
Those are the moments that I find parents treasure the most. The photos where their kid was being most themselves, and it’s preserved forever.
What if your child doesn’t want their photo taken?
First and foremost, the goal is to make sure your child feels comfortable. That’s sometimes easiest at a home photoshoot where they are on their turf.
Regardless of location, I take the time to make sure your child feels comfortable. Children and adults sometimes need time to warm up to the process.
We talk first, play a bit, I show them my camera, and then we move into pictures.
If they’re still really shy, I have the parents pose with them first. Sometimes the kids like the opportunity to help me take a photo of their parents too!
For a very shy kid, having props can be incredibly helpful. That might be their favorite toy or paper to color draw on. Having something to do, that they can show off and talk about, is a great entry point to having their photograph taken.
If you have any questions or concerns before your session, don’t hesitate to ask! You can reach me at kam@kamdavisphoto.com or here to book your family session.
