5 tips and tricks for photographing toddlers that don't want to smile or pose. How a mommy photographer gets great pictures of her kid without arguing or tears. Mom Hacks for your children. #momhacks #photography #kidphotography #tips #photographytips
MOM TIPS

5 PHOTO HACKS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING TODDLERS BY A MOMMY INFLUENCER

Do you have a kid that never wants to take pictures? Yea, I have one of those too! If I ask my daughter to stand still, pose and smile for a picture, I can almost guarantee you that she won’t do it. So what do you do? Never photograph them? Bribe them? I am a full-time influencer and my main focus is motherhood, so having photos with my daughter in them is absolutely necessary.

The first mistake we make is assuming that our child has to be perfectly posed and smiling for it to be a “good picture”, but that is not true at all. Almost all of my favorite pictures are exactly the opposite. Natural photos that feel candid are so much better. They’re more powerful and more meaningful. You can get that candid look, without it actually being candid.

Over the years, I have found several ways to get beautiful pictures of my daughter without tears, screaming or even bribing. I have 5 super easy solutions that anyone can use and I promise they work!

#1 GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO

Give your child something to focus on. It can be anything. I’ve given my daughter a mixing bowl and told her to stir it. I’ve given her a juice box and told her to drink it. It doesn’t matter what it is, so long as it’s a task to focus on. This way their attention is on the task at hand, instead of focusing on the parent taking their picture. If you give them something they enjoy doing, you’re likely to get a smile as well. Here are some of my favorite photos where I’ve used this tip.

Mom Hack: Instead of asking your kid to pose for a photo, just give them a task to keep them busy. It can be anything like stirring in a bowl. Make them focus so you can photograph them #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Mom Photography Hacks: Give your kid something to do like drinking juice, instead of asking them to pose for a picture. Just keep them busy. Make them focus so you can photograph them #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Mom Hacks to photograph toddlers that refuse to cooperate. Instead of asking them to smile and pose, give them something to do. Any task that keeps them busy will allow them to focus on the task instead of the photos being taken. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips

#2 KEEP THEM MOVING

Kids in action don’t worry about the photos being taken. So long as they’re having fun, they forget about the pictures they didn’t want you to take. I will ask my daughter to go for a walk with me or dance with me. She’s focused on me and the activity, not the photos being taken. Another great one is running together. She loves playing “you can’t catch me” and she’s always laughing while playing (major win for the photos).

Mom Hack for photographing you toddler without arguing or tears. Keep your child moving and focused on doing something else instead of focusing on the photos being taken. I like to ask my daughter to walk with me or skip with me. She's smiling and happy and unaware of the photos being taken. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Photographing Toddler Mom Hacks - Instead of asking your kid to stand still and smile, play a game like you can't catch me. Have your child run with you. They'll be happy and smiling for the pictures instead of upset and refusing. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Mom Hacks for Photographing Kids - Keep your child busy by doing something else like dancing. Your kid will have fun and be smiling instead of refusing to take photos. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips

#3 TICKLE THEM

If you want a real smile in a picture, like a big one, just tickle them. It always guarantees a big smile. This is by far my most used trick with my daughter. Family photos almost include me tickling my daughter. It’s easy and it works. Here are a few of it in action.

Mom Photographer Hack - make your kid smile by tickling them in pictures. Instead of asking them to smile for a picture, just tickle them. You'll get a real big smile from an uncooperative toddler for a photo shoot. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Toddler Mom Photography Hack - tickle a kid that doesn't want to take pictures. Make them laugh and you'll get a big smile in your photos. Don't ask them to stand still, rather make them smile. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Tickle a child that doesn't want to take pictures. Mom photography hacks from a full time mommy influencer. Best tips for getting your kid to smile in pics. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips

#4 SURPRISE THEM

Catch them by surprise and they’re going to laugh. I like to lift her up over my head or have my hubby throw her up (she’s too heavy for me to throw anymore). You’ll definitely get a big smile and usually a squeal too. Another fun option is flipping them upside down. My daughter always laughs and the pictures turn out great.

Surprise a kid that doesn't want to take pictures. Use these mom photography hacks like lifting them up over your head to get a big smile from an uncooperative toddler that doesn't want to smile for pictures. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Mom Hacks for Photographing Toddlers - surprise your kid by throwing them in the air. You'll get a genuine reaction and a beautiful picture. Much easier than asking children to pose and smile. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
If your kid doesn't want to take a family photo, just flip them upside down. You'll get a great photo and a true reaction. Surprise a child that doesn't want to smile or pose for a picture. Another mom hack from a mommy blogger and influencer. #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips

#5 TURN AROUND

If all else fails, turn around. It doesn’t matter if they’re mad or not paying attention, you can still get a beautiful photo. I tend to turn around with my daughter and talk to her or point at something to get her to look in the right direction. It’s a last resort but some of my favorite pictures we got using this trick and it’s the easiest because it doesn’t matter what the faces look like. This is especially great for a lot of people. If you have several kids, the odds of getting them all with their eyes open and a decent expression in the same photo is hard. Getting a nice photo of all their backs is not that hard.

Mom Photography Hacks from a Mommy Influencer - if your child doesn't want to smile or pose for a picture and is completely uncooperative, then just turn around. Pictures of your backs are beautiful and much easier to get a good one. It doesn't matter if they're upset or not focused. Amalfi Coast with my Toddler Positano Italy  #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Mom Hacks from a Photographer Mommy - if your child doesn't want to smile or pose, just turn around and point at something so they look in the right direction. Tips for photographing kids and toddlers that doesn't want to smile. Napa Valley wine & castle tour  #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips
Toddler Photography Hacks by a Mommy Influencer. If your toddler doesn't want to smile or pose, just turn around. It won't matter if they're upset and you'll get beautiful photos of your kids. Photography with children is hard, but these tricks help. Monument Valley in Utah Forrest Gump #MomHacks #KidPhotography #MomTips #Toddlers #PhotographyTips

I hope these tips have inspired you to get beautiful photos of your children! Please don’t fight with them or bribe them. Taking photos doesn’t have to be miserable. I promise!

Please let me know if these tips worked for you. Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear which was your favorite.

MOM HACKS for photographing your kids that doesn't want to smile or pose. 5 easy tips and tricks for toddler photography by a mommy influencer. #momhacks #photography #kidphotography #tips #mommytips
5 tips and tricks for photographing your kids that don't want to smile or pose. Use these 5 tips and tricks for getting great photos of your uncooperative toddler. Best mommy hacks for any mom that wants beautiful photos of her children. #momhacks #photography #kidphotography #mommyphotographer #tips
5 easy tips and tricks for photographing your kids. If you have a toddler that doesn't want to smile or pose this is the best mom hack you'll ever find. Get your children to take beautiful pictures without any issues #photography #momhacks #kidphotography #tips #tricks
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2 Comments

  • Reply https://www.belgameubelen.be April 22, 2021 at 6:32 am

    Keep in mind the time of day. Is it nap time? If so sometimes I just don’t even try. Is it noon and you are outside with no shade in sight? The shadows at that time of day are harsh and difficult for even a seasoned photographer to wrangle. Keep in mind the timing.

    • Reply The Traveling Red October 7, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      Absolutely true!!

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