My Confession…
I have a confession. Brayden is not an easy child to photograph. He never has been. When he was just a couple of weeks old, every time I picked up the camera he would start crying. It took 4 weeks before I was able to take his “newborn” pictures. Everyone thinks that Brayden loves to have his picture taken. They think he’s always having so much fun when I’m shooting him. Here’s my BIG secret… most of the time he hates getting his picture taken. And do you know how hard that is for a picture loving Mom*tog? Hard.
It can be so frustrating, especially when there is the perfect moment that I’m trying to capture and he just won’t have any of it. Of course, I haven’t let it stop me. I’ve just had to be sneaky to find ways around it. Here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:
1) Put the camera down! I think a lot of the time B doesn’t like me to take pictures of him because he would rather have my attention then have me focusing on my camera. If I put the camera down for a bit, give him my undivided attention, and try again later he will usually get over it.
2) Distraction, distraction, distraction. I always make it a game when shooting B. If he’s distracted he’ll forget that I’m trying to take his picture.
3) Patience is key. If you get frustrated your kid will get frustrated. Then you’ll both end up in tears! And that’s no fun. Walk away and try again in a bit.
4) Be sneaky! Turn the “beep” off on your camera and capture your kid being themselves without them seeing you do it.
5) I don’t know about you, but my 3 year old loves to do everything I don’t want him to do. Reverse psychology works wonders!
6) Have fun! If you’re having fun and your kiddo is having fun then they ultimately won’t care that you’re taking pictures. Don’t make it work for them. I want pictures of Brayden being Brayden. I want pictures of him having fun. So that’s what we do. We have fun together. And if he’s not into it right then and there, there’s always tomorrow to try again!
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
Wow, that make me so happy to hear you say that! My 3 & 4 year old are the same, everytime the camera comes out they go all grumpy on me. Thanks for the tips, I really enjoy your blog and your photography. Best of luck with your new little one to be.
Melissa
oof, my nearly-three-year-old is the same way. i usually put fruit snacks on my head or do ridiculous things to get photos…and am lucky to get one good one in 30 minutes. my 5 year old loves being photographed, but has mastered the fake smile…
My son is the same exact way. It gets frustrating. We went to the Fair yesterday and I got one picture of the kid with my iPhone. But for you in October, he will be AMAZING. We were in a wedding in March, and the photographer remarked that she wanted “C” as the ring bearer in every one of her weddings that she shot. What the heck? I’m just going to start renting my son out…LOL
Julie´s last [type] ..Shattered
my daughter is the exact same way! with our family photos a couple of months ago she did not want to be a part of it so most of the ones with her in them are her running away or doing her own thing
misty smith´s last [type] ..Kellie + John . Beaufort Sc couples photographer
You have pretty good tips here Drew, I must say you found great method to shoot B
and the results are wonderfull so you do it well. for me the best way to shoot my kids is to be sneaky,usually it works 
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My boys are like that too! Once they hit 2.5, I started bribing them with candy.
It only gets worse as they get older. Now (age 5) they negotiate shots with me. They will tell me I only get 2 shots. Good photography meditation.
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I can sure relate to this one too! I think it’s because when they are constantly around parents who photograph others for a living, they become kind of “numb” to it. I always laugh because my husband and I can get pretty much anyone else’s kid to do whatever we want in front of the camera, but not our own …
Your little one is a cutie and congrats on your “almost here” little girl
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Thank you for sharing that. It makes me feel less bad to know that i’m not the only one that struggles to get their child to cooperate when my camera comes out, it’s nice to know others struggle and for all of us to know we don’t have to always make try to reach some unreachable standard. I used to always think- wow, what is she doing right, and i’m doing wrong to be able to get those good photos of your son that you always get. It’s nice to know that it’s normal and others experience it too !
and yes, as others have said- you’ve managed to find some trick to get great images of B !
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Oh my … I can totally relate! This is wonderful advice – thanks Drew!
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Seems like a tough little man
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