Moms. Listen in. When it comes to taking pictures of your kids, I know how tricky it can be to get them to smile for the camera or stand still long enough for you to get the shot your after.
Older kids, teenagers, or c’mon let’s be honest threenagers, fickle is their middle name. Taking pictures of kids means they may run from the camera, scowl, frown, whine, complain, shout, stomp, or even scream.
I’ve seen it all with my own child!
But, I also know you want your amazing memories captured and you probably feel defeated when a shot is ruined by your child’s mood or attitude.
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I’d guess in the moment just before you grabbed for the camera you saw something special. Your child’s true personality shining through – their intense focus, their streak of silliness, their creative nature. But when went to capture it, the moment was broken and wasn’t captured through your lens quite the same way it was captured in your heart.
You’re frustrated.
Naturally. 10 years from now you want to look back at your memories as they were. That happiness you felt a few moments before you picked up the camera, you want to FEEL that in your image (not the blur of your kids running away from the lens, or the scowl they gave you because you’ve got the camera out….again).
Your real wish? That your eyes could blink like a camera’s shutter and download what you see straight to your hard drive.
I’ve got a secret.
No, I can’t give your eyes a camera upgrade. But you can capture candid moments with less effort, frustration, and defeat. And it’s not as hard as you think. Promise.
1) Leave the camera out and accessible.
Sometimes we actually wait too long to get our cameras out and ready to snap. We’re watching our children play for awhile and finally realize that maybe the moment should be captured. I also know far too many moms who keep their cameras locked away for fear that their children will grab it and possibly break it. But the more accessible your camera is the quicker you’ll be able to snatch it up, point, and click.
2) Make picture taking about THEM, not you.
My own daughter is independent and strong willed. At 5 she is not always the most willing subject. If I tell her I want to take pictures, her immediate response is usually NO. There was one time I really want to snap some photos of her in rain boots stomping around in a mud puddles. My ask led with “Let’s go out and take some photos of you jumping in mud puddles.” Her answer. NO. Why? I led with what I wanted (to take photos). Five minutes later, I changed my ask, “Let go out and jump in mud puddles! I’d like to bring my camera with me too if that’s ok.” She was SO EXCITED. She didn’t even notice when I snuck my camera outside with us and snapped photos as she jumped away. The more you can make photo taking about your child and what they want to be doing, the more willing they’ll be to have their photo taken.
3) Train your kids to ignore the lens.
You know the story of Pavlov and his dogs, yes? Every time he rang a bell they were conditioned to salivate for food. Eventually even though there was no food they would still salivate even when they heard a bell. Our children have been conditioned to give a cheese face when they see a camera even if we don’t want them too. At a certain age they get tired of giving the cheese face, or ‘performing’ for pictures. You have to do some training and teach your kids to pretend like the camera isn’t there. Or, if they’re REALLY interested in what you’re snapping, allow the novelty to wear off by showing them the results of what you snap right after you take a photo.
2) Don’t focus on getting the shot, CONNECT instead
Something about putting a camera in front of our face breaks the natural means of connection between us and our children. The camera is a wall. Our children don’t want us constantly hiding behind that wall. They want us with them connecting. The more we can play, interact, and carry on conversation while we photograph, the more natural our moments will appear once snapped. We have to strike a delicate balance between directing an image and allowing it to naturally unfold. It begins with having the proper means for connection and conversation to flow.
If you’re looking to get more shots with less effort, struggle, and frustration, my Conversation Starters Guide will give you 25 ideas to try right now. This is the perfect starting point to CONNECT more with your child and CAPTURE memories with ease and confidence. Get your copy by clicking the image below!
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