Who doesn’t cherish photoshoot sessions with their entire family in it? Although “behind the scenes” with a child isn’t always as pretty as the results, it can still be manageable. When shooting with a child, I’ve compiled a few tips and tricks on how to get that perfect shot (results may vary). We personally love taking photos of/with our daughter. Along the way, we’ve learned how to make her cooperate. Sometimes it can take an entire team to make it work. Let’s get started!

You don’t have to be a genius to know the first rule to shooting with a child. Hint: nobody likes to deal with a cranky baby! Make sure to work around your child’s nap schedule. Shoot when the baby is well-rested and well-fed. If the child missed his/her meal, prepare a snack on the go and feed during a short break time. A clear mind and a full belly will put anybody in a vibey mood.

It’s all about earning the child’s trust. Both the photographer and the parents concentrate their efforts into earning that trust in the shortest period of time and proving to their child that this is not betrayal. A child is most comfortable and calm in a familiar space with familiar faces. If the space happens to be a new environment for them, remind them of what they already know. Meaning - surround them with their favorite toys, blankets, and music. Once they recognize what’s theirs, they will learn to trust the process. Make certain that your child has their eyes on you at all times. If it’s just the child being photographed, stand in front of them and best of luck to your entertaining skills. If you’re in the photo with a child, have that moment to yourselves and act like nobody's watching.

When Josie was an infant, “Baby shark do do do do do do” was the one song that hyped her to move and dance. Now that she’s a toddler, she gets going to “Finger Family.” I don’t know what it is about those two songs, but they sure did help me capture cute and silly moments on camera.

Another way to convince your child into taking photos is bribing them with their current obsessions. It can be a favorite snack, dessert, or a drink. You can also promise them something that brings them true joy. For example, their favorite show, their favorite game, or their favorite park. That stuff works! Our toddler is currently obsessed with breath mints. Promise her a mint, and she’s all yours. Except you can’t fully rely on a child’s attention span because that stuff only works for three-five seconds. Which is why it's important to keep it quick and short.

Things to remember:

1.) A well rested baby is an angel.

2.) A meal before a shoot is important to prolong the experience for “as long as possible.”

3.) Bring along a bag of goodies from home.

4.) Be visible to your child at all times because stranger danger is real.

5.) Have a charged phone to play your child’s favorite music in the background.

6.) Bribing goes a long way.

7.) Keep it short and sweet.

Good luck and be sure to let me know if any of these work for your next photo session! Also, enlighten me on your way of capturing cute moments of your cutie!