No More CHEESE! TIPS on How To Get REAL Smiles When Taking Photos of Children | Little Blue Bow Photography | San Diego, Ca | San Diego Children's Photographer | Family Photography

NO MORE CHEESE!   {TIP ONE}
HOW TO CAPTURE  GENUINE EMOTION IN YOUR CHILDREN'S PHOTOS


So, as most of my clients know, I HATE CHEESE! 
No, wait... let me clarify.  I LOVE real cheese, especially Havarti, but I try to stay far, far away from the 'SAY CHEESE'  crutch that has trapped the children of America into thinking this type of smiling is what makes a great picture.  Saying "Cheese" does not elicit a real smile and a REAL smile and emotion is what I aim to capture, especially in children!


Above is a set of consecutive photos using one of my tactics for capturing a real smile during a Little Blue Bow Photography session.  The first picture is 4 year old Gianna smiling for a picture just as she knows how.   It is a lovely smile, absolutely cute, and not nearly as 'cheesy' as many we've seen.   But, although she looks adorable and very sweet,  if I were to ask her Mom if the smile in picture one captures Gianna's personality, I'm guessing she'd say No.  

As I talk to my littlest clients and get to know all about them (Gianna had just returned from an amazing Disney trip and we talked about Mickey and Minnie and how much my daughter would have LOVED to be there...) I gain trust and make them feel comfortable.  Then my SILLY side shows up to the party.  Sometimes I do silly (terrible!) impersonations of Elmo or Mickey or I sing a very popular song (the ABC's in this instance) and I jumble up all the words knowing that she'll laugh and say " that's not right!"

Cue PICTURE number TWO.  I had just added a few animals to the alphabet song. That's preposterous in a 4 year old's eyes... and OH so SILLY.  The laughing picture (which I LOVE) leads into a GENUINE smile picture (95% of the time.) I don't know about you, but as a Mom, I would rather have picture two or three framed on my wall.


So there is one little tip when you're trying to capture true smiles from your own children or if you're a photographer who's looking for new tricks!  Be SILLY!  Sitting still and saying CHEESE! is not fun for anyone, is it?  Unless there's some HAVARTI involved, I wouldn't want to do it either.    While this particular photo is more on the posed side, I use these same tricks during more candid moments, like the ones on the left.  Make it fun. Chase them around. Make them LAUGH!
I LOVE working with kids and I hope it shows! 

I have more Photography tips to share! Check back soon :)

Are you ready to update your Children's portraits?  Contact Kellie to reserve an appointment.  We'll set up a custom photo session that highlights your little ones' unique personalities!