Taking photos of kids can be difficult. I don’t normally take photos of kids because it’s hard to get kids to sit still but I have found a few tricks that work that can help you if you want to capture your kids this summer. Here are some easy tips for capturing great photos of kids.
Easy tips for capturing great photos of kids
Bribe them – I know this may not be popular with a lot of people but I bribe my kids lol. I ask them nicely at first and they give me so much lip so then I go into if you sit still and smile I will give you 5 bucks. My daughter said if I make it 10 she will smile naturally and it won’t be forced. Can we make it 8? She said yeah I guess. It’s hard but bribing them with candy, a trip somewhere, ice cream, or money in my case works.
Find something they love – Like a swing. I took photos of this little girl for her birthday and she loved the swing. I got all the best photos when we found that swing. What do kids love? Ice Cream…take photos at an ice cream parlor. Water? Take photos at the pool or at a water park. If you find something they love they will be happier and be natural in the pictures
Get on their level – This is hard for me as a big girl but I have to do what I have to do (more squats are in the future) When taking photos of kids it’s best to get on thier level to take the photo. Get on the floor if you have to. I have gotten in some pretty uncomfortable positions to get the best photos. Getting eye to eye gives you a look into their environment.
Ask them questions – Kids love to talk so the best way to get them to talk is to ask questions about things they like. What’s their favorite tv show, what’s their favorite cookie, favorite food, etc? Ask them questions and get them engaged. Kids love talking about things they love and thir eyes will light up which makes the perfect picture
Play – Play pretend with them and they will laugh uncontrollably. I told these kids that I was really minnie mouse and the girl laughed so hard because she didn’t take me seriously. Kids love to play and pretend this is a great way to step into their world through imagination. You will capture the best photos this way
Now it’s your turn do you have any tips for capturing kids with your camera?
If you loved these tips about kids you will love these 4 tips for the perfect headshot.
26 Comments
Terri Beavers
June 29, 2018 at 1:59 pmYour photos are very fun looking and I love that they’re not the staged fake smile some seem intent on capturing, lol. I’m going to have to try your tips next time I get the grandkids together.
Jeanette
June 29, 2018 at 4:18 pmI am actually looking for stuff like this. I am trying to get the pictures I take much better comes to my kiddos. I will definitely pin this and use it all the time
Melissa Chapman
June 29, 2018 at 5:06 pmThese are great tips for capturing kids and making them feel natural. I can not tell you all the times we struggled to get our kids and dogs to cooperate and look happy.
Kelly Reci
June 29, 2018 at 8:09 pmI think the “pretend play” is a great way to capture fantastic photos of kids! It can really be difficult, especially when they’re in the toddler stage and just want to play and run around.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
June 29, 2018 at 8:58 pmThese tips are great! I am behind the camera all the time, taking photos of….food. When I get my kids in front of the camera it’s so hard to capture anything natural. I’ll have to try some of these out for sure.
Ashley
June 29, 2018 at 8:59 pmI love these pics of your kiddos and thanks for the tips! Your daughter’s colorful skirt is the most! I want one!
wendy
June 30, 2018 at 12:13 amThese are really great tips! I don’t have a good touch with a camera but you pics are fantastic.
Karen Morse
June 30, 2018 at 3:40 amWhat a fun post for for parents who would like to take better photos of their kids. I know it’s not always an easy task especially since the kids really get irritated during shoots, but these tips could help!
Emily
June 30, 2018 at 4:13 amThese are all beautiful pictures that capture great moments of the kids! I try to catch my kids being perfectly them, messy hair, popsicle covered smile and all. The posed one are great too, but taking pictures of those childhood moments are so special.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All
June 30, 2018 at 9:59 amThese are great tips. Getting on different levels can result in a better picture, with people and with things. I love the suggestion to get them doing something they enjoy, I am not a fan of a forced staged look.
Anosa Malanga
June 30, 2018 at 11:00 amSometimes just clearly taking random shots of the kids makes it more beautiful. I love candid shots! I grin a little about the bribing part because its true haha.
Chubskulit Rose
June 30, 2018 at 11:40 amI love all of these shots, you did a great job capturing them. Thank you for the tips. My daughter is almost a teen and taking a photo of her is so hard these days.
Olena
June 30, 2018 at 1:00 pmI just love your post. You had me laughing and nodding my head from the first tip. Every single thing you say is true and relatable. I feel like all I do is bribe my 2nd child lol. Kids love to talk, and we do need to get on their leve. Great tips!
Terri Steffes
June 30, 2018 at 2:09 pmI agree with you about the getting on their level. It’s that eye to eye, knee to knee viewpoint that really makes a difference here.
Angela Ricardo Bethea
June 30, 2018 at 2:45 pmGreat tips! It’s sometimes hard to take a good photo of kid especially when they are super active and wouldn’t stay still for the photo. I love taking candid photos though, capturing the moment without having them pose.
Heather
June 30, 2018 at 3:34 pmThese are all such great tips! Getting down to their level is key for me. It changes everything.
Jenny
July 1, 2018 at 6:46 amSuch cute kids. Mine hides in his room playing video games all day. I used to do stuff like this with him though. Ah memories.
Nellie Acevedo
July 1, 2018 at 7:07 pmThese are awesome tips!! I need to practice making these boys laugh hysterically! I loved all of the pictures you shared here!!
Mimi Green
July 1, 2018 at 10:32 pmThese are great tips. Some of my favorite pictures of my kids were taken at the beach. They were in their natural element.
ShaBree
July 2, 2018 at 3:54 amKids will always fall for the bribe. My son was s ham and loved photos. Getting on his level was hard for me but it always worked too. Love your shots!
Elle (CleverlyChanging)
July 2, 2018 at 5:03 amMy daughters don’t really like taking photos. I think it’s because I don’t like seeing pictures myself. I appreciate the tips you provided, I’m sure that will make picture taking moments a lot easier.
Ricci
July 2, 2018 at 7:59 amThese are all great tips on capturing great photos of kids! I will have to use some of these tips/tricks on my nieces and nephews soon!!
Capturing the moments that last a lifetime - It's Really Kita
July 2, 2018 at 1:28 pm[…] the photos even when kids are not cooperating. They make for the best candids anyway. But sometimes kids cooperate for pictures and the results are true memory […]
Carol Cassara
July 2, 2018 at 4:03 pmNo doubt that you capture amazing photos! I love the photos that you shared. It’s really important to make the shoot fun for the kids, otherwise, they’re going to end up bored and dreadful. Awesome tips for parents and photographers!
Kiwi
July 3, 2018 at 12:58 amI love these tips on photographing children because sometimes younger ones can be harder to capture because of their attention span. I love the idea of getting on their level too but most importantly I think children are the best models when you can finally get them to sit still!
Christiana Acha
July 3, 2018 at 5:48 pmHonestly, its no mean task trying to take great photo of kids, they are so adorable but they hardly sit still and their concentration span is pretty short these tips are so handy. i’ll definitely put these tips into practice the next time I want to photograph a kid.