Hey ladies,
I am trying to get a decent picture of both of my kids for Christmas cards, and gifts. Something that seems so easy has proven to be so difficult!! We actually had to reschedule the appointment because 2 weeks ago my daughter would NOT SIT STILL for longer then .5 seconds and when she would actually sit there she would make silly faces and by then my son was crying to get him out of there! I was so bummed because I thought she would sit there long enough for a few pictures! I even told her we would get ice cream and go see Santa afterwards if she would sit still and listen to the photographer!! Has anyone else had this problem?? If so what did you do?? Our next appt. is on tuesday, and I really hope I can have some more ideas on hand to actually make this appt. worth everyones time!
YAY!!! Okay the first thing I did was leave my husband in the car lol. He later met up with us after the pictures, but Kailey (my daughter) was much better without him there!! She listened and I had a small piece of chocolate sitting in the stroller so she could see it. My son who just turned 8 months didn't really like all of the bright flashing, so after 3 pictures I would have to pick him up and soothe him before sitting him back down. All in all the pictures turned out wonderful!! I appreciate everyone who took the time to suggest different things!
I do want to say that I LOVE capturing candid moments of my children, however I wanted a picture that was posed for the great-grandparents to hang up on their wall, and I didn't want a big 16X20 picture I paid 60 dollars for to be of my baby crying and my daughter making faces lol. Also the first time we tried wouldn't of even been considered a 'candid' shot! The only pictures they were able to take were of my daughters head because she kept hopping down to play with the props! Since I am a stay at home mom, when my husband has a day off it is ALL PLAY with them. So with him being there I think she just wanted to run around with daddy rather then listen to mommy and some lady with a camera. Sorry about the novel here....Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who responded!!!! =)
I like the idea of the candid pics. They will be fun and memorable. For sitting still however, I would suggest trying a new toy or one they haven't seen in a while. I would also recommend a small magna doodle. My daughter loves hers. Target has travel ones for 6.99 or ones with magnetic backs for about 5.50. They are small enough for travel in the car too which makes them great for occupying them while driving too.
Good luck!
T., I had two major squirmers at that age. My daughter was known to jump up and take off running around the store in fact. What I found helped was to go into the store area (if it's Walmart or KMart, even JCPenney or Sears), find a cute cheap little teddy bear or some cute little toy that fits with their clothes or the season. Then let them hold it. Then promise if there are no silly faces or squirming, that you will buy it for them. It has worked several times for me! Good luck! Hugs, Kat
Take their favorite stuffed animal and let them hold those when you are getting their pictures taken. I did this with my daughter and neice and it seemed to work.
Good Luck
Well, that is a difficult one. But you can try getting her something to hold, like a toy or stuffed animal that you don't mind being in the picture.
Good luck!
Hi T.,
I'm not sure if you're doing the entire family or just the kids, but I did the same thing 2 years ago. the kids did better when I left the room and I had 2 associates arrange them. Needless to say, the pictures turned out great. the kids tend to cooperate better when their parents are not around. For the family photo, no idea, sorry.
Good luck,
T..
First question...are you having them done in a studio? Some kids, especially young ones, have a hard time focusing and sitting still in a studio environment. Have you considered having them done outside or an environment where she is comfortable? I take pictures and find that the best ones end up being when the kids are simply playing together. I recently did a photo shoot and we found a water puddle. We let the two girls play together in the water and they had a blast. Best of all, it showed them being happy children!!candyphotos2008.blogspot.com
you can check out my site for ideas!
Hi T., just another thought for you... my almost 3 year old is a very busy gal also and doesn't seem to do what you want her to do WHEN you want her to do it. We have to resort to reverse psychology frequently. "Don't sit still, don't smile at the camera" - just say it very seriously and like you mean it. Not sure if it will work for your daughter, or for how long, but maybe it will help you get a decent shot or two, along with some cute, natural shots of her busy little self. Good luck to you!
This happened last year to us. My daughter was almost 4 & my son 19 months. For our 2nd appt, we made sure everyone had napped, eaten, but not had too much sugar, bribed them & told the photographer that the kids wouldn't sit still very long, so just snap off pictures as we were getting set up, etc. And we were creative with poses. We had our son playing "hop on pop" (his back) cuz he didn't want to sit down. We we done taking pix in 10 minutes & we managed to get a good picture - not many, but one good one is all you need . . GOOD LUCK! And I don't know if you want to consider this - but I usually do a photo book of candids. Cost me about $12-15 per book. I use Shutterfly, but Snapfish & Walgreen's have them too. My family really seem to love them.
We just did our pictures on Saturday. Definitely go out doors for your pictures. give them some props that you don't mind being in the picture. Something Christmasy. I've seen it done with parisols and it is adorable. Sometimes the best picutres are ones that arean't all posed. Candid shots tell a story and a personality. Even if they are rolling around have her busy. Hug her brother or kiss him on the cheek. For my daughter I pulled up some pictures from different photography websites and told her to pose like the little kids and we practiced her smiles in the mirror. It will only make it worse if your stressed about it. Kids seem to sense that and only act crazier. With candid photos it takes quite a few shots but you will get one that is absolutely beautiful. Good luck!!
I suggest taking your 3 year old to a place that would work with them. Those pictures usually make the best ones! As opposed to the fake or forced posed kind! Maybe try the pictures people in the mall or a private studio. Mine is 14months old and loves pictures, she just sees a flash and starts to pose. I blame her grandma's for taking so many pictures of her
I had to laugh out loud when I read this I to have this problem when we did our pics my 23 mon old son was screaming and trying to crawl out of my lap and my 6mon old son was crying. then there are my two daughters being great little models they were doing what the photographer wanted. this picture was priceless. lol I had to buy it bucse it mirrors my real life with my crazy kiddos. I did get great individual shots of the kids and we are going to try the family one again this time outdoors .
private photographers do wonderful candid photos. Maybe you could try that route, or do them yourself.
Do a candid one! of the girls playing in the grass.
I am working with Jodi davis and she is WONDERFUL with kids.
check this out!
jodidavisphotography.com
I am THROUGH with portrait studios! They SUCK!!! I get like one good pic from kiddie kandis or JCPenney, and that is not good enough. Whereas ALL of jodi's pick are undescribable how they capture the personality of the person!
I'm a photographer who's been doing on-location portraits for 12 years. These types of "sittings" tend to be better for kiddos than going to a studio. A studio is restrictive, with bright lights and can either be intimidating or over-stimulating to children. A photographer who will meet you at a park or somewhere where your child feels comfortable will get better, more natural shots of your children. Of course, this can be more costly than a mall studio, but it may be worth it to you. Personally, I give you all the shots on CD so you can print out what you want, when you want.
Hey T.!
I had a photographer give me a GREAT idea when my son was 2. It still works great and my son is now 5. He got a stuffed animal or a ball and put it on top of his head. He told my son to blow it off his head on the count of three. When he "blew" the ball off the photographer's head not only did he stay still to see what happened, but he thought it was funny and was smiling in the picture. Those pictures were great and we have been using that method ever since.
ok.. I'm against the norm....
candid goofy pictures are the BEST!!!! They will be the ones you will remember the most with the laughter and fun times rather than the fighting for the perfect pose
actually having a series of candid ones, "trying to get the perfect pose but this is what happened" .. those are classic!
We have them. We didn't really use them to teach our kids to read, but my daughter was speech delayed and the videos really helped her with that. She is all caught up now (not just from the videos but they helped). My son watched them too and seemed to like them for enjoyment but he did not learn to read from them.
We put a large wall mirror right below the camera. Our kids loved seeing all of us in the mirror.
Maybe you should try a nice action shot of your children in there element, a more natural picture of them would be beautiful, instead of a forced picture of them, unhappy.
This is so funny - you should just let them be themselves and show the whole world exactly what you are dealing with - it's priceless and you will laugh later. If your family and friends can't appreciate the honesty or won't display a photo that doesn't have perfectly posed smiling faces, it's their loss. Relax and smile - don't let the stress make you look less than beautiful in the pictures.
T.,
I am not sure if it is too late - but I have a solution for you. I have twin 2 year old boys and talk about trying to get them to sit still! I feel your pain! I have a fabulous friend/photographer that is fabulous with little ones. Her name is Jenn Pecasting. Her website is www.jenspictures.com if you want to take a look. She is awesome! And she can capture the perfect picture for your cards. If you would like to see a slideshow of our last appointment - let me know and I will send it over to you. Good luck!
V. Sandoval
