You will be surprised at how smoothly the session will go even with the most unwilling subject.

1. When you are quiet for too long your client will begin to wonder if anything is wrong. They get concerned maybe they are doing something wrong. Remember to follow the pattern above and keep at it. You will be happy you don’t give up. The majority of your clients are NOT used to be in front of a camera and need to be coached through your time together. It is your job to make them feel as comfortable as possible, so that you can bring out their best features. I love showing them what I am capturing along the way – talk about a great way to get them to smile and feel more confident in what they are doing.

Children LOVE to see themselves on the back of your camera!
Smile, Talk, Play, Giggle, Talk, Praise and continue this pattern for every session you do.

2. If you stay behind the camera too long they will lose interest in looking at the camera {fast}. I often bring a camera lens pet with me and almost always switch them up when photographing our children. They love to guess what each lens pet is and talk about them or to them. Children have the best imaginations –GO WITH IT!

3. You must be relaxed and confident in what you are doing – so the client will be relaxed too. If you don’t know which lens or settings to use and you are fiddling with them more than interacting with your client – they will begin to lose confidence in you and not show their true personality.

4. Goes with tip 2 – bring a shutter release cable with you or a wireless remote so you can interact with your clients – once you have the exposure correct for your location get out from behind the camera and come have fun with your clients. Check in every few shots to make sure the lighting is still good and they are in the frame.

5. Play a game with your clients. Children love to guess what kind of animal the sound you are making. They love it when you pretend to sneeze {Donald Duck sneeze is the winner every time!}. They love to play peek-a-boo. They love to talk about silly sounds and try to make them. They love to play I spy. They love to tell you about their favorite doll, toy or game to play. They love to tell you about their pets. Ask them and you might be surprised at what they say! Just be prepared to laugh along with them.

6. Let them move around. There is a time and place for perfectly posed photos – but I prefer natural shots that bring out the true personality of my clients. If they are walking around (which I enjoy following after them for a bit) then I simply call their name and ask them to play the stop and go game. Guess what adults love playing games too. Ask them to dance and get the wiggles out.

Depending on the age of your clients – ask the husband to pick up his wife and swirl her around. Watch the natural laughter and personality come out! Ask them to slow dance – nose to nose – cheek to cheek and let the kiss come naturally.

7. I never say smile or say cheese. I ask them to say funny words – like chica chica boom boom. Or tongue twisters for older kids. Sally sells seashells by the seashore.

For couples and parents – ask them to tell you about the time they met, their first kiss or when they first held hands and fell in love.

8. Don’t forget to be silly too! Take photos of yourself and have fun while you are at it! The better you become at being in front of the camera – the better you will be behind it!

9. When you have a newborn session – be calm, keep them warm, don’t rush and enjoy every little detail of their precious bodies! Allow the blessing of a new life to create the magic for you!

As a mom of 9 I have had tons of practice getting children to smile, look, and even love getting their photos taken. Some go through harder seasons than others of rejecting my camera in their face – but even then I can almost always get them to smile for me.

How?

By following all the tips above!

I hope these tips help you to remember the most important thing you can do during any photo session {family or client} is to communicate and have FUN!