The first couple years of your child’s life is such a special time! They grow and change so quickly, so it’s important to capture those fleeting moments and adorable stages. However, a photo shoot with a baby or toddler can also be daunting. Will they be in a good mood? Will they cooperate or have a major meltdown? As a mom myself, I totally get this! I know what it’s like wrangling a one-year-old and can help get them to smile with goofy noises and peek-a-boo games. Having a son has helped me be a better family photographer because I understand how to work with little ones and what photos moms want. Here are a few of my tips for photo shoots with a baby or toddler:
Make sure they are fed and well rested. Easier said than done, I know. Nap times can be unpredictable, especially when you’re on vacation, but hopefully your little one will be able to get some sleep prior to your shoot. Also, make sure they have a bottle or meal before so they don’t get hangry.
Dress them in comfortable clothes. If your son is used to wearing simple onesies and then you have him wear a button-down shirt with suspenders and a bow tie for your session, he may fuss and grab at these unknown objects. Make sure that their outfit won’t be a distraction. A happy, smiling baby is better than a fancy picture-perfect outfit.
Bring snacks/bottles. We can definitely take a snack break if they start to get fussy! If your child is anything like my son, food fixes everything! A sippy cup of milk can snap him out of any bad mood.
Wear bibs to protect their outfit. Between spit up and drool, baby outfits don’t stay clean for long. Either change them right as you get to the photo shoot location or have them wear a bib in the car. I’d also suggest bringing a bib for them to wear if you do give them snacks or a bottle during the session.
Bring a favorite toy. If you have a particular toy that catches your child’s attention, I can hold it up to get them to look at the camera. Toys with noises or lights seem to work well!
Get the most important shots first. I’ll get all of the must-have shots right off the bat. If there are any particular poses you want, let me know and we’ll be sure to get those first!
Play with them. During your photo shoot I’ll encourage you to play with him or her in order to get some natural, candid shots. This also makes the session fun for the whole family! Towards the end we can even wade in the water and get some fun action shots.
Trust your photographer. I will make the session easy and fun! We’ll pose your kids in ways that make them feel comfortable. If they like walking in the sand we’ll get some pictures that way. If they like mom holding them, I’ll pose you to make that happen. I know their attention span can be short, so we’ll work quickly and keep them moving. When it comes to babies and toddlers it helps to work with them rather than forcing anything.
If you want to capture your little ones during your Destin vacation, I’d love to work with you! Fill out this quick inquiry form to get started!
