How a Professional Photographer Keeps Kids Engaged During a Photoshoot

When it comes to family photography, capturing genuine smiles and heartwarming moments from children can be a delightful challenge. As a professional photographer who specializes in family portraits, I've learned that keeping kids engaged during a photoshoot is not only possible but can lead to some of the most precious candid shots. In this blog post, I'll share my tried-and-true strategies for ensuring your children have a fun time in front of my camera.

Connection Before the Session

One of my primary focusses at the beginning of any photoshoot with kids is to build my rapport with them before I even pick up the camera. Taking the time to get to know them and letting them get comfortable with me around. Sometimes it can take 5 minutes and other times 20 minutes, I never rush a child and work with what feels best for them. Sometimes I start with a light conversation, asking them about their interests, and maybe even play a simple game to sync our energies. Helping establish trust leads to great moments to be captured later on. When a child is at ease they become more authentic!

Interactive Activities

Incorporating interactive activities into a photoshoot is a game-changer, younger kids are simply great at play and I use that to my advantage! Sometimes I ask parents to bring along props, like bubbles, balloons, or a favourite toy, and I use them to create playful moments. Results always yield genuine smiles and make for beautiful photos.

Letting Them Be Themselves

Sometimes, the best photos come from letting kids be themselves. Instead of constantly directing I focus on capturing the moments when they are naturally expressing themselves. Whether it's a giggle, a curious look, or a shy smile, these candid moments are the most enduring to look back on.

Offering Positive Reinforcement

Praise and encouragement can work wonders. Whenever a child cooperates or strikes a pose I love, I immediately offer them a genuine compliment. Positive reinforcement in general is known to boost confidence, as a result their enthusiasm continues beautifully throughout the session.

Patience and Flexibility

Children can sometimes be unpredictable, and that's okay! My goal is always to be patient and go with the flow. If they need a break or a moment to run around and release some energy, I always follow their lead. Flexibility is essential in ensuring a stress-free photoshoot for both the children and their parents.

Engaging Their Imagination

Children have vivid imaginations, so why not tap into their creativity! I love to ask them  to pretend they are characters from their favourite story or to imagine they are exploring a magical forest. Encouraging them to play out these scenarios, I love to capture their genuine reactions and gift these wonderful moments to their family.

Using Music and Props

Music is known to set the mood and help create a relaxed atmosphere. With younger children, playing some of their favourite tunes always helps get them in a good mood and they even forget we are even taking photos. Additionally, props like colourful umbrellas, hats, or costumes can add an element of fun and playfulness to a photoshoot.

Involving Parents or Siblings

Sometimes, having a familiar face nearby can help children feel more at ease. I love to encourage parents or siblings to join in on the fun, whether it's holding hands, playing peek-a-boo, or sharing a laugh. These interactions can lead to heartwarming family moments.

Staying Behind the Scenes

As a photographer, I often find that the best shots of kids come when I'm not the centre of attention. I tend to use a long lens and capture unscripted candid moments from a distance, allowing children to forget about the camera and be themselves.

Keeping It Short and Sweet

Children have shorter attention spans, so it's essential for me to keep a photoshoot relatively short and focused. I plan all my shots in advance and aim to capture the most important moments efficiently.

Capturing the beauty and authenticity of children during a photoshoot is a delightful art and I take great pride in working with children to preserve their childhood glow. In my countless years of experience I’ve learned that patience, creativity, and a little bit of playfulness, can turn any photoshoot with kids into a wonderful and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Ottawa Baby and Family Photographer capturing real moments.
Capturing your everyday in the most beautiful way, candidly and unscripted.

Get in touch, I would love to hear more about your family and how we can tell your story.