This Post Is All About Toddler Pictures: The Ultimate Guide To Get Them To Cooperate
Taking toddler pictures suck! I’m a mom of three and a professional baby photographer and I can confidently say that the ages of 1 to 3 are by far the hardest to photograph.
Kids are so unpredictable at this age! But they are also the absolute cutest and most hilarious little people! So, we have to make a solid effort to capture this stage forever.
It’s not easy but you will be glad you did it! Or paid someone else to do it, haha.
In my ten years of experience, I have researched and also stumbled upon what works best when trying to get a toddler to happily cooperate for pictures!
Read below for exactly what to do!
(This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you).
USE PROPS
I have used all of these items in multiple shoots over the years! You often need something to keep a young child in one place, whether it’s an actual container or a cute toy to play with.
Even fussy kids usually perk right up when you give them a little bike to climb on!
Kids love being in a wagon and it’s a good way to incorporate older siblings (who can pull and push it!) It can become a fun game to play during the shoot!
This one is soooo versatile and can be used for nearly every shoot you do, not just toddlers!
- You can stand on it to get above your subject when needed
- Put a todder IN a crate when they won’t sit still
- Use it for a “just-starting-to-stand” toddler to lean on (make sure to put something weighted inside so it doesn’t tip over)
- Sit toddlers and older kids on top for both single and group shots
- Shorter kids can stand on it when you need height in the pic
(buy new and distress yourself or buy an authentic old one from Etsy)
(I actually cannot believe how inexpensive this one is!)
Perfect for keeping a runner in place! And good for cake smashes if you do them!
Kids forget you are taking their pic and just start to play!
This is great because you can shake it to get their attention and then let them have it (because they WILL want it) and it’s cute for a pic!
Isn’t this sooo cute?! I scored this one for $10 at a local flea market!
WHERE TO GET CUTE THINGS
One of a kind, unique, and antique are best! Here are the best places to find props:
Etsy – this one is the best!
Ebay
Amazon
Facebook Marketplace
Flea Markets
Garage Sales
Estate Sales
Antique Stores
Thrift Shops
USE NOISE
If a child is sitting still but not happy or looking at you, try making some noise or giving them something to look at with these items:
- Bells
- Music
- Bubbles
- Scarf
PLAY GAMES AND GIVE PROMPTS
If the kids you are working with are a bit older, try some games and prompts to get them to act more natural as opposed to standing there and rigidly smiling.
- Peek a boo
- Head, shoulders, knees, and toes
- Red light green light
- Simon Says
- Ring around the rosie
- Squish Daddy
- Sneak up on Daddy
- Tell a secret
- Twirl around
- Dance and freeze
- Scary, mad, surprised faces
- Tell them a joke
- Sing a song
OTHER ADVICE
- Bring snacks that aren’t sloppy. (Cheerios, smarties, fruit snacks)
- Do pics at a time of day when the child is usually the happiest.
- Show them their picture and let them take one of you
- Bribe them
- Take a break
- Prep everything ahead of time
- BE FLEXIBLE!!!
There is no one more full of false hope than a first time mom at a 2 year old’s photoshoot!
Seriously, do not go into a shoot with a concrete idea of how it’s going to go. Toddlers don’t listen and can’t be reasoned with! It’s like they can sense that you really want something to happen and then make it their job to do the exact opposite.
This Post Was All About Toddler Pictures: The Ultimate Guide To Get Them To Cooperate
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HOW TO TAKE YOUR OWN BABY PHOTOS AT HOME
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