5 Tips for Letting Go and Get pictures of your kids that you'll love!

Time doesn't stop, kids grow, people change, families change. I'm a huge advocate of documenting life as it is right now. Sometimes, or lots of times, life is messy and crazy. If you have multiple kids or have a big family - I'm sure this is even more true for you. But, I want to remember this time. I don't want to forget the little things.

Ninety percent of the time, when I think to take pictures of my son or my family, I think about it in the moment; when we're all a little more dressed up on Easter Sunday; when we're at the park on a nice day. In these moments, I'm snapping shots with whatever I've got available (my phone) and in a bit of a hurry to get the shot before the moment is gone. In these moments, I tend to forget about my experience as a photographer. Greyson's not on his best behavior. He just wants to get out of the nice clothes and back to playing. I'm not at my best. I'm struggling to win little battles and wondering why he never listens. The last thing on my mind is, "Ashley, let go and enjoy the moment."

The little moments in life are happening all around you and those are the moments that you as a Mom, Dad, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle, friend... those are the moments that you need to cherish and preserve. So, here are 5 Tips for Letting Go and Get pictures of your kids that you'll love and cherishing the moment and, as a bonus, how to shoot better portraits while doing it.

Tip #1 : Say Yes to Easy Requests

Thursday was Greyson's last day of Kindergarten. I knew that I wanted to take a few photos of him before school that morning. I had in my mind that I would print a "last day of school" printable and take a few for that. I never got around to printing something out though, so I let it go. We had five minutes before carpool, so I grabbed the camera I use for work and we headed to our front yard.

He asked if he could take a picture with the card he made for his teacher.

YES

Something about grabbing the camera I use for work, snapped me out of my normal parenting mode. Instead of worrying about the five minutes we had available, I let go and focused on how to make him smile.

Do I need a picture of the card for his teacher? Nope. Is he proud of it? Yes. Most importantly, telling him yes let him know we're in it together. We're just having fun together. No work necessary.

"Mommy, let me pose you." Say yes.

Small tip here: If you are letting your kiddo pose you, put them on a higher surface. I usually always crouch or sit so he is shooting down on me. It's easier for him and I don't end up having a huge double chin.

*Not shown, "Mommy, act like a flying ninja." I said yes. Remember, the key is to photograph the moment as it happens.

At a certain age - usually 4+, kids can be awkward with the camera.  The smiles are forced, the eyes are blank and they just aren't interested. It's your job to make it fun. Whatever you can do - make it fun.

Tip #2 : Make It Fun

For the card pictures, I said yes to the card and holding it over his face but then I made it fun by saying, "ok drop the card and try to cover your face with the card before I get a picture of you!"

This works for his age. The trick here is to find something that is age appropriate that works. I didn't end up getting a photo here that I love, but I did make him smile. I made him laugh and he made me laugh and we both let go a little more.

Tip #3 : Channel the Energy

Kids (especially boys) are high energy, especially at this age. The key here is to not get upset by it. Make it work for your kiddo. For example, Greyson is really into being a ninja or spy. So, immediately after he put the card down, I said "Act like a ninja and show me your best ninja moves."

Am I going to frame a large picture of him looking like a ninja? Probably not, but maybe. BUT, am I documenting him and what he loves right at this moment in time? YES. Am I creating fun experience as opposed to cranking at him for not smiling correctly? Yes. This is the key.

Will you get lots of photos like this?

Yes! You won't love them all and that's ok. But the beauty of modern cameras is that you can shoot and shoot and maybe one ninja pose out of 20 will be a keeper.

Tip #4 : Break Time or Pause

For younger kids, you can usually make a game out of "breaktime" or "pause". Greyson is just about out of that phase. With him (remember he's six), within the ninja moves, I can get him to pause just by saying "ok, act normal". Here's an example of that:

Taking a break, whether for a minute or second, is helpful because kids tend to get so caught up in going, doing, and having fun that they forget how to let go and be calm. I guess we adults have the same trouble sometimes as well.

Tip #5: Give Them Freedom and Let Go of Perfection

After I've gotten a few pictures, I just like to give him freedom. I really tell him, "now do whatever you want." Dance, show me spy moves, whatever. With girls, you can ask them how they want to look or pose. In my experience, most girls really like this.

I'm freezing movement in these photos. He's being his usual rambunctious self and that's ok!

You don't want your kid to hate photos. In reality, they probably won't love them, but as long as they don't hate them, it's ok. Just remember, that you are cherishing the moment and you are a player within that moment. Make that moment something to cherish. Let the "picture-perfect" photo go.

*Bonus tip:

Don't forget to try to be in a few photos. I set my camera on our front porch with a timer for this one. It's not perfect, but it's the moment... which is what a picture should be about.

Linking up to:

Sunday
DIY Sunday Showcase - Pink When
A Bouquet of Talent - Life on Lakeshore Drive
Sunday Features - Denise Designed
Snickerdoodle Sunday - Across the Blvd
Share the Wealth Sunday - Fun Money Finds
Sundays Best - The Pinterest Parent
Sunday FUNday - The Foley Fam
Craft Schooling Sunday - Creative Jewish Mom
Bewitchin' Projects - The Crafting Nook
Crafty Weekends - Crafty Moms Share

Monday
Inspiration Monday - I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Inspire Me Monday - Create with Joy
Clever Chicks Blog Hop - The Chicken Chick
Monday Funday - That's What {Che} Said
Craftastic Monday - Sew Can Do
Mix It Up Monday - Flour Me With Love
The Creative Corner - Curly Crafty Mom
Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop - A Blossoming Life
Block Party - Rae Gun Ramblings
Create and Crave - Pink Heels Pink Truck
Melt in Your Mouth Monday - Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
Best of the Blogosphere - It's Me DebMCb
A Round Tuit - Creating My Way to Success
Get Together Link Up - Sunny Sweet Days
Inspire Me Monday - My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
The Scoop - Worthing Court
Create Link Inspire - Naptime Creations
Dream Create Inspire - Whimsy & Hope
Monday Madness - How to Get Organized At Home
Motivation Monday - A Life in Balance
Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop - ABC Creative Learning
Inspire Me Monday - Simple Life of a Fire Wife

Tuesday
Turn It Up Tuesday - Epic Mommy Adventures
Treasure Box Tuesday - Memories By the Mile
Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party - Lou Lou Girls
Project Inspire{d} - Yesterday on Tuesday
Two Cup Tuesday - Pint Sized Baker
Show and Tell - Sugar Bee Crafts
Tutorials & Tips Link Party - Home Stories A to Z
Totally Terrific Tuesday - Live Randomly Simple
Two Uses Tuesday - Sarah Celebrates
Tuesday at Our Home - Our Home Away From Home
Tip Me Tuesday - Tip Junkie
From Dream to Reality - The DIY Dreamer
Fluster's Creative Muster - Fluster Buster
Create and Share DIY and Recipe Party - A Simple Pantry
Moonlight and Mason Jars - Cherished Bliss
A Little Bird Told Me - Natural Beach Living
Tutorial Tuesday - Hope Studios
Inspire Me Tuesday - A Stroll Thru Life
Tasty Tuesday - Creative Kids
Share It Link Party - The Winthrop Chronicles
It's a Party - DIY by Design
The Mommy Club - Crystal & Co.

Wednesday
Whimsy Wednesday - The NY Melrose Family
Wow Us Wednesdays - Savvy Southern Style
Wow Me Wednesday - Ginger Snap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday - My Girlish Whims
The Wednesday Roundup - Love, Pasta and Toolbelt
Wine'd Down Wednesday - Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Wonderful Wednesday - Ducks N' A Row
Worthwhile Wednesday - Crafty Allie Blog
Wordless Wednesday - Oh My Heartsie Girl
Ladies Collective Linkup - Mommy Zoid
What's Cookin' - Buns in My Oven
Work It Wednesday - The Happy Housie
Wildly Original - I Gotta Create
Inspire or Be Inspired - Live Laugh Rowe
Crafty and Delicious - Grace and Good Eats
Lovely Little Link Party - Bloom Designs
Artsy Fartsy Link Party - Artsy Fartsy Mama
Inspire Me Wednesday - Adventures of Mel
Hearts for Home Blog Hop - Year Round Homeschooling

Thursday
Create It Thursday - Lamberts Lately
Showcase Your Talent Thursday - What's Cooking Love
Think Tank Thursday - Savings 4 Six
Creative Exchange - Summer Scraps
This Is How We Roll Thursday - Organized 31
The Homemade Hangout - A Glimpse Inside
Throw Back Thursday - Dad What's 4 Dinner
Inspiration Gallery - Design Dining and Diapers
Home Matters - Life with Loralei
I'm Loving It - Tidy Mom
DIY Like a Boss - Designer Trapped
Create Share Inspire - TidBits
Weekend Retreat - AKA Designs
100 Happy Days - A Kreative Whim
The Shine Bloghop - The Deliberate Mom
Weekend Roundup - The Sunny Patch

Friday
Friendship Friday - Create with Joy
Craft Frenzy Friday - Craftdictator
Freedom Fridays - My Turn For Us
Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday - Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons
Foodie Friends Friday - Walking on Sunshine
Foodie Fridays and DIY - A Dish of Daily Life
Weekend Bites - Homemaid Simple
Friday Feature - Oh My Heartsie Girl
What To Do Weekends - Crafts a la Mode
Friday Favorites - Diary of a Real Housewife
Pretty Pintastic Party - Coffee With Us 3
Pinworthy Projects - Just Us Four
Inspiration Spotlight - Dear Creatives
Weekend Recipe Link Up - Gator Mommy Reviews
Pin Me - Diana Rambles
Link Party Palooza - Tater Tots and Jello
Weekend Wind Down - Snippets of Information
Linky Party DIY Inspired - The Girl Creative
Dare to Share - Pam's Party and Practical Tips
Simple & Sweet Fridays - Rooted in Thyme
Friday Finds - Craftaholics Anonymous
Friday Home Link Up - Frugal Mommas
Family Fun Friday - Happy & Blessed Home

Saturday
Best DIY Projects - The 36th Avenue
Saturday Sharefest - The SITS Girls
Share It One More Time - One More Time Events
My Favorite Things - Dear Creatives
Saucy Saturdays - Take Two Tapas