The number one tip to getting natural smiles

Kiddies are completely unpredictable, even the older ones that we expect to sit and smile sweetly. They can be so adorable and easy going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to get the best smiles we can. Over the years I have learnt what gets those beautiful happy smiles and what most definitely does not. Here is my number one tip and it is not what you would expect.

Do not try to get your child's attention or tell them to smile (unless I ask you to)

Babies and young children are often overwhelmed when they walk into my studio space. It is large and full of all kinds of interesting things. I am also a complete stranger. So the best thing to do is to sit on the floor directly behind me and say nothing. I need a chance to build a rapport with your baby or young child and get those natural smiles where they look straight into the camera.

Picture this scenario:

You're a small kiddo and have just walked into a very big, completely new room. A lady with a big black camera is sitting facing you and pointing it at you. And then she is talking to you and making faces. But mom and dad are also frantically trying to get your attention. Mom is on one side of the room and dad is on the other. 

Then because you are just sitting there staring wide eyed at everyone Ouma and Oupa also start calling your name and trying to get your attention. Mom then starts clapping her hands above her head and dad starts promising ice cream. Where on earth do you look and is there any reason to smile? Everyone just looks crazy and making a heck of a noise!

This is the most common scenario I see and 100% of the time ends in wide eyed stares and eventually tears.

One of the first photographs of my session with this little man. He was still warming up to me and getting comfortable.

I need to get your beautiful baby or young child to smile for real at something I say or do. The calmer you are the better things will go. So taking a seat right behind me on the floor, keeping a smile on your face and not saying anything gives me the opportunity to connect with your little one and a much better chance of getting those amazing smiles and laughs.

Once he had warmed up and felt safe with me he was all smiles and happiness.

Here's to a great session!

Beautiful Hannah | 7 month baby photo session

Hannah and her lovely parents came to see me a few weeks ago because her mom just felt she was so adorable right now that she needed to capture her absolute cuteness. I couldn't agree more.

I have a little secret to getting this big smiley face from babies. They still not understand that you are still there when they cannot see you…so I face them away from me and their parents and then have their parents crouch down behind me and call them. They swivel around to find the voice and break into huge smiles when they see mommy and daddy are still there. It works every time.

Pearls are always a great entertainer and give some priceless photographs.

Oh yuk, that did not taste or feel good…

Cute, cute, cute

Hannah's mom was inspired by another photograph I took last year that was just like this one. 

Thank you so much for choosing me to photograph your beautiful family. It was an honour.

Have a great weekend!

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5 Tips to Get Children to Smile Naturally

Children do not know how to smile naturally so when you tell them to smile or say, 'Cheese' for a photograph you will definitely not get what you are looking for. You will most probably get the smile in the photo on the left when you actually want something more like the smile on the right.

In my previous post, 3 Tips for Taking Better Photos of Your Children, my first tip was to not tell them to smile or say, 'Cheese'. So what can you do to get them to smile naturally? Read on for what I have found works for me.

1. Get down to their level

This may not necessarily get them to smile but remember that you are much taller than they are, in some cases double their height. So get down on the floor to their level. This will immediately give you a whole new perspective.

In this photograph I was lying on the floor flat on my stomach.

If I had been standing up I would have had a photograph of the top of his head and would have completely missed this great expression. The same for the photographs below.

2. Catch them Unawares

As a parent you have a real advantage over us professional photographers. When you bring your family to me to photograph I have to work at getting them relaxed and comfortable with me. I'm not going to get a natural smile if they think I am not ok. 

But as parents your children are already relaxed with you so catch them unawares. While they are playing happily, grab your camera, make sure your settings are correct and get down on the floor near them and then get their attention. You will get a photograph to treasure.

3. Be Silly

Now this one doesn't come naturally to all but it is worth it. Pull faces, jump up and down, make weird sounds, threaten them with the tickle monster, tell them you are coming to find their laugh button, make jokes…

So Granny does not look exactly like a model but after all that fun and silliness I got this photograph...

Baby is adorable and Granny is radiant.

4. Forget the Rules

Are children happy when we are angry with them? Generally not; so avoid getting angry when they do not do what you want. I know how frustrating it can be. My eldest daughter is very difficult to photograph and sometimes I want to throw my hands up in despair and I'm the professional! So…when it is not going to plan, walk away and try again later. 

You want them to look at you with laughter in their eyes so make them laugh! Fun is the name of the game!

5. Say, "I love you."

Something that I have found works like a charm when things are not working out is to get my daughter's attention by calling her quite sharply (as though I'm about to get angry) and then breaking into a big grin and saying with great feeling, "I love you!!" Without fail she breaks into a big smile and her eyes sparkle.

I was off camera to the left and my husband took the photo with my phone. I love it. We have this idea that for the photo to be a good one the subject needs to always look into the camera but with children that does not always happen. I love this one because, even though she did not look at the camera, she was looking at me with that cute little look on her face. 

6. Tell them to NOT smile

I know I said 5 tips but I had to include this one.

Warning: This one only works if you have a fun loving, happy go lucky child who understands a little bit of teasing. If you have a more serious child it will backfire.

If you are getting those weird, forced smiles you can tell them with a big smile on your face and a laugh in your voice to not smile. Normally they will try very hard to not smile and then burst into laughter and give you a really beautiful smile or laugh.

I hope these tips will help you out with your family photographs and they will be loads of fun and you'll get great pictures even if only with your phone!

Have a great week!

Today is gone tomorrow. Remember now. Forever.

CONTACT Rosalind | VIEW Portfolio | LIKE Facebook | ENJOY Website