We all know that toddlers are notorious for always being on the move, keeping up with them can be challenging and exhausting, add a camera in the mix and you will be ready for a nap long before they are. So how do you keep these little ones settled long enough to capture a photograph suitable for this year's Christmas card?
It’s all about creativity, patience and the understanding that you may walk away with only one good shot from over fifty. But we have some quick tips to help improve your odds.
Quick Tips for Capturing Toddlers on Camera
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To love and to hold . . .
One way to get toddlers to keep still for some pictures is to keep their hands busy. You can give them a stuffed animal to play with or a flower to hold. You can get them excited about the new pet, ask them to name it and even play games. If you don’t want the stuffed animal in the pictures you can make it a game and ask the toddler to had the toy behind them so you can’t see it. The—end.
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Simon is always right . . .
When you have more than one toddler in the mix keeping them engaged long enough to get a good shot becomes even more challenging. Try playing a game of Simon Says or Freeze. This gives you an opportunity to get some great candid shots and the more traditional photos worthy of the scrap book.
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Criss-cross apple sauce . . .
A good way to slow down the motion is to get busy toddlers off their feet. Grab a small toddler chair as a prop, they may not actually sit on it but it will slow them down. Or grab a corner of a room and have them sit down with their legs crossed and start up a conversation. Toddlers can be so expressive when you get them talking about something or someone they really love.
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Search for the eye . . .
It can be very challenging to get a toddler to make eye contact with your camera. My daughter has always loved getting her picture taken, but getting her to look straight into the camera has always been a challenge. Kids are easily distracted from the smallest background noise or visual. A great way to pull them in is to ask them to look for your eye through the lens.
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Stay sunny . . .
Toddlers can be the most challenging group to capture on camera but they also can be the most enjoyable. You may have to change your tone from high energy to soothing depending on the child and their reactions to the camera. At the end of the day it’s important to keep everything positive so your child will love the experience and will let you pick up the camera another day.
