Family Photos: How to Get Authentic Smiles From Kids | Frisco Photographer | Rebecca Rice Photograph
[Want a checklist for planning a stress-free family portrait session? Click HERE!]
About a month ago I asked a simple question in a few of the mom groups I'm in: What is your biggest struggle when it comes to getting family photos done? With no surprise, I was flooded with some great answers! (Because let's be honest, getting family photos done can be a real struggle!) Moms listed things like what to wear, picking a location, getting the kids to cooperate, etc. Over the next several weeks I'm going to be addressing each struggle that moms listed. (To find the post about picking the perfect location, click HERE!)
Out of all of the answers that were given, one that seemed to pop up often was getting real, genuine, authentic smiles from kids. If you've got kids of your own, you probably understand this. Your kids have the sweetest smiles when they're just playing or giggling at faces that Dad is making, but the minute a camera is brought out and pointed in their direction, this fake and totally awkward supposed-to-be smile flashes on their face. You tell them to really smile, to relax, to be serious, but nothing is working! As soon as the camera is gone the great smile you know and love is back, but you can never seem to capture it on camera! I've got a few tips that you can try the next time you want to capture your kid's great smile.
1. Don't Force It...Make it Fun!
Sometimes we as moms can get a little carried away with trying to get the perfect family photo. Think about the last time you tried to wrangle your gang to get just one picture of everyone looking at the camera and smiling. Were you successful? (If so, great job! You're one of the lucky ones!) How many tries did it take? (I know I usually have to scroll through at least 10 to find one that will work.) If we're being honest, getting that one photo really is an art! So many times we try to force smiles and then wonder why they look so awkward. If a kid isn't enjoying it, of course their smile won't reflect that! My best piece of advice is not to force the smile. Instead, change things up a bit. Add something that will make it fun for the kids. This could be having someone tell them a joke (the cheesier, the better!), jumping around like a crazy person, making funny noises that will surely get their attention...the possibilities are endless! Sure, you may look a little silly (or me if I'm the one taking your photo), but if you can get the kids to have fun, you'll get real smiles that will make your heart melt.
Bonus Tip: Get all of the big kids and adults set and smiling, then work on the little ones. It's the worst when you FINALLY get a great smile from the little ones and there's a big kid or adult looking away or not ready for the photo. I always tell the older ones to smile and not stop until I say so. Their cheeks may hurt from smiling so long, but you won't have to worry about them and can focus your attention on the little ones.
2. Change Their Mindset
This one is a biggie. Ask yourself this: When you tell the kids you're going to get family pictures done, what kind of response do you get? If it's moans and groans, their mindset about it is all wrong. I know many kids who don't like the idea of a camera. They don't like their parents taking their picture, they don't like me taking their picture, they just want nothing to do with it. Why is this? I think it's because of the way they think about the camera. Like I mentioned before, if it isn't fun their smiles will reflect that. For some, it's the fact that a camera (or iPhone) is constantly in their face as you, the parent, simply try to capture memories you'd like to look back on. There's nothing wrong with this, but it takes away the "special" feeling that comes with getting their picture taken. For others, it's the fact that they think getting photos done is boring or stressful (usually the older kids). When you're stressed it carries over to them and they can't give real, genuine smiles because they just want the moment to be over with.
I'd like to change the mindset that taking pictures isn't fun or special. It can actually be lots of fun and a very special experience! One of the first things I do when I meet a family for photos is I get the little ones comfortable with the camera. (I address this more in depth in "Surviving Family Photos with a Toddler") I may take a few shots of them and show them the back of the camera so that they can see themselves. I'll ask for their silliest faces, which they usually give without hesitation just so they can see them. I try to show them that taking pictures can be fun and doesn't have to be intimidating or scary! With older kids, it's all about whether or not they feel comfortable with me, the photographer. I try to get to know a little bit about them and find a connection point. Once I win them over and show that I care about them as a person, they'll trust me. Then comes the stress factor. Remember, if you're stressed they'll be stressed. Try to relax and have fun, and odds are they will too! If you can change their reactions from moans and groans to genuine excitement, those great authentic smiles will be there.
3. Go For the Candids
Candids are truly my trick to getting the best smiles out of anyone. Keep in mind, a candid doesn't have to be a photo with no one looking at the camera. Candid simply means a photo taken informally. It can be posed, but capturing a moment of true joy or laughter. With little ones, I like to follow their lead and capture moments that they find fun. One thing I love about the photo at the top of this post is that it was a candid moment! Little Levi was having fun playing a game with his mom, Melanie. Melanie was holding his hands and Levi would arch all the way back to peek at me, then sit himself back up. He laughed and laughed as he did this, and I was able to capture an adorable smile from him as he was having fun with his mom!
I've had a couple of families that had really awkward smiles all around. Anytime I tried to get a typical portrait, those awkward smiles were all I got. With one family in particular, I began to change things up. I would pose them where I wanted them, then we'd just talk! I told them to keep smiling and looking at me, and I just kept snapping photos. I'd ask the kids questions and their answers would make the parents laugh. When the parents would laugh, everyone would laugh. It was in those moments that I was able to capture real, genuine smiles that conveyed the joy and fun that the family was having! These are the moments that I wish to capture for every family. I want my photos to come with memories that the families can keep forever. This is what makes getting family photos done with me special.
Since we all know planning family portraits can get stressful, I've created a checklist to help you master your family portraits! Get yours HERE!
For more information about booking a family portrait session with me, fill out my Contact Form and I'll be in touch very soon. I can't wait to work with you to capture memories that you can keep forever!
