First, eliminate the phrase "cheese" from your vocabulary. The second a child hears this phrase, they put on their "picture face”.  Try taking the picture as they laugh or when they are being silly;  their expressions during these moments will be more genuine.  A child exposes his or her personality, energy, and uniqueness when in a familiar state.

You, as the photographer, are foreign to the child.  Before beginning the photo session, get to know the child so that he or she may become comfortable with having their portrait taken.  You may require the assistance of the parents, depending on how energetic the child is.  With newborns or stubborn babies, the presence of the parents may help when you have difficulty getting them to smile.  Parents should be advised to sit back and relax unless they intend on being in the picture.  Some parents prefer to take control of the session.  Only request their assistance if necessary.  The child's favorite toy may also be beneficial.

Get close to the child when taking their photo.  Often, amateur's take photos from a long distance.  This causes the minute details of the child to be missed (e.g. eyelashes, the light in their eyes, etc.).  Sit, stoop, or lay down on the ground.  Allowing them to tower over you implies you are there to play.  Children are less agitated when the photographer is low or at eye-level.  By getting low and close, the child will feel more comfortable and perhaps produce a tremendous smile. (Click!)

Most importantly,

Children are generally in constant motion and are not always eager to follow directions.  Between the ages of 1 month to 4 years old, they do not grasp the concept of sitting still.  Relax and allow them to be themselves.  By doing so, you generate an opportunity to catch a great picture when he or she is not looking or smiling.  Try not to force the replication of that unique photo idea you fell in love with on Pinterest.  Preparation is essential when photographing children.  With children, moments occur rather quickly; so be certain your camera settings are accurate.  Children are the most unpredictable subjects, so it is essential that you are prepared to capture their photo at a moment's notice.  An extensive photo selection is helpful to have when it is time for post-production. 

And there you have it, Grand Lens Photography’s four tips on capturing that enchanting photo that will be treasured forever.  Spending time with children can certainly make you feel like a kid again.  So get down and get close, be patient, get the parents to help, and allow events to occur naturally.  Exercise these four suggestions to build your confidence and reinforce your expertise as a child photographer.

For professional child photographers in the NYC/NJ area, contact Grand Lens Photography now.

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Erin Bhoorasingh is the founder of Grand Lens Photography, LLC.  GLP is currently available for weddings, engagements, corporate events, maternity photos, family photos and freelance work in the NYC/NJ area.