Toddlers photography idea for 2024
Photographing toddlers is not very easy. How do you argue a small person who is unpredictable, yet not able to speak using words we use to understand, and who is completely unfamiliar with any possible danger and physical restriction?
I am going to give you some of my favorite ideas for toddler photography that will help you get great photos of them in their natural state – equal parts cuteness and chaos.
Toddlers come with unique challenges
Children are always both good photogenic and notoriously difficult to photograph. During a photo shoot pose, they usually sometimes can be shy or behave unlikely, making the portraits seem ‘set up’ or inauthentic, or at least very hard to shoot.
That’s why most families choose to have a lifestyle photoshoot instead, aiming for frank rather than posed shots. Getting a great candid portrait of a child can be demanding, but if you succeed, that photo may be cherished for years. To increase your likelihood of nailing that shot, here is a helpful idea for your next photo shoot with kids.
Table of Contents
- Toddlers Photographing Ideas.
- Ask Parents to bring snacks
- Ask parents to bring baby wipes
- Make the shoot fun and playful.
- Go outside.
- Use the child’s favorite toys.
- Bring classic toys.
- Get out of the way.
- Prepare for a lot of movement
- Focus on their hands, feet, and body movements.
- Follow the child’s lead.
- CallofPhotography
Toddlers Photographing Ideas.
Ask Parents to bring snacks
Ask your parents to bring snacks and drinks that wash up easily. Raisins or apple slices, Cheerios, water, or apple juice is much easier to disguise than the stains from blue ring pops, raspberries, cheesy crackers, or grape Kool-Aid.
Ask parents to bring baby wipes
Ask the parents to bring baby wipes (I usually keep a stash with me, too, just in case!) and a change of clothes/underpants.
Make the shoot fun and playful.
We’re redoing this idea from the way of life photography post because it’s so essential, perhaps the most essential of all. You want the kids to have fun because this is the only way they’ll be relaxed and more likely to give you their best real smiles. As another bonus, the parents will also be happier, as you’re creating a positive recollection for their kids.
How to produce a photoshoot fun will largely depend on the kids’ ages and personalities. When it is possible, allow kids to choose props, a situation, or an activity for the shoot. Getting them involved like this can make the shoot more beneficial and fun for them.
Go outside.
Natural behavior is not a button you can switch on or off with your children. If you ask your Kid to smile or go to play, they may end up just hanging by their parents’ side, blank-faced.
Instead of relying on words and compliance, be thoughtful about the circumstances you choose for the photo-shoot. For many kids, a fun outside position will naturally draw out the expressions and behavior you’re trying to photograph. woodland, parks, and coastline are all excellent choices. Just by leaving your studio, you’ll raise your chances of getting a magnificent un posed picture – and the background will be very beautiful.
Use the child’s favorite toys.
If going outside is not possible, you’ll need to depend on kid toys to make a child feel at ease. While you can bring a pack of toys, it’s also an excellent idea to ask the parents to bring the kid’s favorite toys. You can only guess what a Kid might like, whereas parents know every preference in detail. Even if the toys are unattractive or hard to photograph, they can be a source of comfort for the kid, making them worth having around just in case.
Bring classic toys.
While the family should bring any toys they are willing, your own toy choices should be restricted to the most eye-catching. After all, the child’s toys will have the impression and regret attached to them, whereas the toys in your studio are eventually just props.
When creating your toy pack, make sure to include prototypes like pinwheels, bubbles, and magnifying glasses. These toys are both accurately fun and incredibly photogenic.
Get out of the way.
Nothing suffocates cheerful like a hovering adult. If you want a reserved Kid to relax, always avoid standing too close to him; Don’t tell the child what to do. If you want to try a new toy, give it to one of the parents to introduce instead. By removing yourself from a scene like this, you’ll have a higher chance of seeing and capturing natural behavior.
If the Kid is not acting how you are expecting or hoping, take it as a chance to uncover their personality. Numerous photographers want to see exuberant joy and happiness, but some children are more thoughtful and reserved, even while playing. They may not smile at the camera, but they will still show other emotions that are worth photographing.
Prepare for a lot of movement
If the Kid you are photographing ends up playing quietly, you’ve lost nothing by preparing for more movement. However, if you’re expecting the Kid will stay still… Don’t depend on it. Approach the shoot like a sports game. There may be indolent moments, but the considerable emotions and best picture shots may be right in the center of the action.
Focus on their hands, feet, and body movements.
If you spend the whole shoot trying to catch the child’s facial expressions, you might miss out on a cluster of other great shots. apart from, attract on the face alone can sometimes be frustrating if the Kid keeps looking away. Instead of getting frustrated, take a step back and look at the entire scene. You might see the chance for a beautiful picture with just the child’s feet or hands.
Follow the child’s lead.
If you’re used to being in charge of a picture shoot, taking a back step position might be unnerving for you at first. But recall that you’re not trying to control the child’s conduct and personality; you’re trying to capture it authentically in a photo.
In other words, during a children model photography session, you are a witness, not the child boss. If guidance is mandatory, it should be subtle and playful rather than commanding. Unless they’re about to harm something valuable like your camera gear, remain relaxed and open about what’s possible. You might find that their innovation and ingenuity are more stimulating than anything you could have imagined yourself.
I am a photography enthusiast turned blogger, sharing my passion and expertise on her blog, "CallofPhotography." Growing up surrounded by nature, I developed a love for capturing moments through my lens. After studying Fine Arts with a focus on photography, I launched my blog to share tutorials, gear reviews, and my own photographic work. Through engaging storytelling, I invites readers to join her visual journey, inspiring and empowering photographers of all levels worldwide.