| If you have a children's photography studio or just | | | | simple. You apply a small piece of scotch tape to |
| want to take better photographs of your kids, I | | | | their finger or toe and they will automatically look at |
| have a few tricks that will allow you to get that | | | | it or try and pull it off. You only need a few seconds |
| beautiful shot every time. | | | | to get the shot. |
| As a Children's Portrait Studio owner, I have learned | | | | Tip #4 - I can't See You Trick |
| a few techniques that work really well. You should | | | | Sometimes you'll have a child that doesn't like their |
| try different tips and tricks until you find one that | | | | picture taken and won't look at you or the camera. |
| works for you and the child you're photographing. | | | | This is common and don't force them... it won't work. |
| Here's a list of 5 tips you can use in your | | | | Once again...we make it a game. |
| photography studio or at home as soon as Today! | | | | If you don't have a helper, look through your camera |
| Tip #1 - The Penny Trick | | | | and pretend like you can't see them. Actually move |
| For a child that won't sit, place a penny on the spot | | | | your camera around like you're trying to find them. |
| you want them to sit. The key is to make it a game. | | | | Say their name and then say...oh there you are. Then |
| Tell them that you want them to hide the penny so | | | | once again say...I can't find you, are you there, I can't |
| nobody else can see it. They usually laugh and think | | | | see you. This has worked really well for us and the |
| it's funny. You get them to smile naturally and sit | | | | parents are usually amazed by this technique. They |
| wherever you want them. It works really well. | | | | can't believe it works. |
| It doesn't have to be a penny. It can be a flower for | | | | Tip #5 - Say Anything But Cheese Trick |
| a girl or a small car for a boy. It just needs to be | | | | You will always get a parent that says the words |
| small enough to sit on. | | | | "Say Cheese" and wonder why the smile is forced |
| Tip #2 - The Bubble Chair | | | | and looks unnatural. |
| Place a chair on your background or wherever you | | | | Make it fun for the kid's and use other words or |
| want your subject and tell them it's a special bubble | | | | sayings that get them to laugh. Then...wait for the |
| chair. Explain that you're going to blow a bubble and | | | | smile to come down and take the shot. You always |
| you want them to catch it. But...it only works if | | | | want to let the smile relax when they're laughing. |
| they're on the special bubble chair. Once again, make | | | | Instruct the parents not to say cheese or smile. Most |
| it a game and the kid's will play along. | | | | of the time it looks fake. |
| You'll need a helper to blow the bubble or bubbles. | | | | So, there you have it. Some easy and very effective |
| Usually a parent will help with this. | | | | techniques we've learned over the years that should |
| Tip #3 - The Tape Trick | | | | work for you. |
| In our studio, we usually always take shots of | | | | One last tip is to "Be Patient" and you'll get the shots. |
| children looking down and not directly at the camera. | | | | Never show the child you're getting stressed or |
| One example would be a 9 month old child in our | | | | frustrated. They'll sense it and it will show in your |
| antique washtub theme. It's a great shot and parents | | | | shots. |
| always love it. | | | | Always have fun and the kids will too. |
| But...how do you get a difficult child to do this? It's | | | | |