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.

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