Getting Your Kids to Smile... for the Cameraby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 21 Nov 2007 03:33 PM Tomorrow is Thanksgiving... a time when family and friends gather to share a meal and a few laughs. As I mentioned in a previous blog it is the perfect opportunity to capture candid moments and an even better time to take a family portrait--especially if the occasion marks the homecoming of relatives who are unable to make it back for every family function. When it comes to family photos, typically, it's the kids family photogs are most concerned about getting to smile for the camera. In my case it's the kids and reluctant adults that I have to deal with. If you have camera-shy family members you know what I'm talking about. At times it seems like you'd be better off hiring a comedian to come in and perform during picture time just so you can cajole a simple smile from a poker face family member. Honestly, I don't have a sure fire way to get a reluctant family member to show off his or her pearly whites for a group shot. However, I find that peer pressure works more often than not. If you have an entire lot of people working together to get Uncle Joe to crack a smile then you might just succeed. As for children there are a few techniques that have worked for me in the past. With babies it is nice to have a friend act as a baby wrangler during a family photo shoot. A simple bottle of bubbles can work wonders to get kids to focus their attention near the camera. Otherwise, I have found toys, hand held fans, feather dusters or even large mirrors are useful accessories to have on hand during photo shoots. Ideally, your "assistant" will hold up or shake the objects just to the side of the camera to help elicit a smile from infants and toddlers. With older children I have found bribing works. I know, it's not exactly the world's most ethical tactic, but let's be realistic here--it's ONE family photo shoot that happens maybe a couple times a year. A little candy bribe isn't going to cause irreparable harm to anyone. What methods work best for you? Related Articles: Thanksgiving--The Perfect Photo Op More Tips On Photographing Newborn Babies Photography Potpourri----NO To "Cheese" and YES to Hats Telling A Story With Your Shots More Common Sense Tips To Capturing A Frame-Worthy Picture Common Sense Tips To Capturing Frame-Worthy Pictures Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantphotography tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags kids and pictures, photography, picture taking, photo tips Discuss this article
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