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If you ask any child photographer how they get kids to “pose” for them… most will tell you they don’t ask them to pose. Well, I don’t, and I know a whole bunch of photographers who would say the same thing. There are any number of ways to get kids to be cute for the camera, but my most favorite way is to strike up a conversation with them. I know my kids seek my attention for things and often I’m in the middle of something, you know, like cooking, cleaning, or working. I’m sure you’re familiar. So what makes my kids open up? My UNDIVIDED attention. This same trick works with the kiddos in front of my camera!
I love to ask them questions. Sometimes it’s their favorite animal, other times it’s what they ate for breakfast, or what they love to do when they go home from school. The responses and expressions I get from these questions are amazing. Often times I get silly, asking them if they like to put pickles in their cereal or some other ridiculous food combination. I get looks ranging from “are you serious” to all-out giggles. I find that most kids light up when a grown-up is paying attention to them, and sometimes I can’t stop them from talking. Even the big kids. You just have to find something to connect with them about.
With the quiet ones, I’ll try to get them to talk but don’t force them if they’re not willing to open up. But sometimes the images of those kids are the most sweet images of all. Bottom line, I try to see who the REAL kid in front of me is. I capture them for who they are and what they look like. Not just a kid with a cheesy smile.
Want some beautiful portraits of your kid? You’re in luck, I can help with that.
