3 Reasons why your kids WILL behave during a photoshoot!
I totally get that the thought of your kids not being perfectly behaved might make you a little nervous about booking a photoshoot.
I walked down the road to school one day last week and there was a Dad in front of us whose four year old was in full blown strop mode. I know you know what this looks like because you’ve been there too!!
The poor bloke. I gave him a knowledgeable, sympathetic smile and thanked the gods that for once it wasn’t my little cracker who was letting rip!
Kids are kids at the end of the day. They have big emotions and when and where those big emotions are going to hit can be as unpredictable as the weather.
But here’s three reasons why you don’t need to worry about it on a photoshoot.
We’ll be having fun.
I know this sound crazy, right? I mean, your expectation of a photography session is probably that everyone will be standing, nicely posed and smiling at the camera, but that’s not really what I’m all about. This is all about capturing personalities so lets make sure they at least show!
When we arrive I’ll spend time blethering to the kids and getting to know them a little. This has two purposes, it loosens them up and it relaxes us all. Even the Dads will start to unwind when they see that they are just mucking about with their kids. That’s their number one parenting skill, is it not?
We will have a laugh, tell jokes, play games and possibly even shout a few rude words. To be honest, I may get them a little wound up. Sorry but, I promise, it’s all in aid of capturing genuinely happy moments.
If they are a little shy then I just take a little bit of extra time to warm them up. I’ve worked with all kinds of kids over the years. Every one has their own little quirks and we go with the flow. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.
2. They will always behave better for other people than they do for you!
It’s a strange and also completely frustrating fact of life that kids behave better for other people than they do for you. You are their safe place and they know they can let rip with a full blown meltdown when they are with you because well, you’ll love them regardless. But when another adult is in charge they just get on with it.
How many school teachers/nursery teachers/grandparents have mentioned how great they’ve been and how well behaved they are. In my house this usually provokes my husband and I to raise quizzical eyebrows and wonder if they are telling you the whole truth or if they are talking to you about the wrong child? Kids are just better with other people. So step back a little. Let me take control and relax. They will feed off how you are, so the more chilled you are they more relaxed they’ll be too.
3. Kids who are a little nuts photograph really well.
All kids are a little nuts. It’s in their nature and whilst it is nice to get a few ‘stand nicely and smile’ shots the ones that most people really love in their finished galleries are the ones that show their personalities. These aren’t posed. They are just snapped while you are playing and laughing together. These are the shots that you will hang on your wall forever and will always make you smile when you look at them. I like to hear a photograph. That sounds daft, but if you look at a photo of your child and you can hear their laugh then I’ve done my job!
It’s also crucial to remember…I have my own little nutters! Yours won’t be doing or saying anything that I haven’t heard before. I deal with meltdowns on a daily basis and there will be absolutely no judgement if your kids aren’t perfect throughout.
I’ve worked with little people my whole adult life. They are all unique and utterly brilliant and I can’t remember a single one that I haven’t had a ball photographing.
And that’s it. Now wasn’t that easy! You no longer have to wonder if they’ll show you up because we know they most likely won’t and if they do I get it. You can get back to worrying about all the other things on that long list of worries you have about mum stuff, work and life in general!
So…when can I nab some super cute shots of your little crackers?
Or are there a few more worries lurking in the back of your mind? Why not let me know what they are below and I can do my best to put your mind at rest. Please note…I offer no parenting advice what-so-ever. This is strictly photography related. I am in no position to offer wisdom of any sort. I am winging all the mum stuff, big time!
G x
