How do you get children to look at the camera and smile?

Question

I am an amateur photographer and find it impossible to get the attention of young children whilst trying to take a photo. I think this is an amazing talent. It requires the ability to captivate their attention whilst also getting the them to smile and having the precise timing to capture "the moment".

Tips are welcome. All the portrait types that i have tried end up with the children distracted and looking "off shot". Do i have to wear some silly costume with bells and whistles just to get them to look. Magicians answers welcome

Answer 1

Wel i was one of those annoying children who woulding smile etc when asked, not defiant just being annoying i guess.... So alot of my posed pics as a kid show me looking v straightfaced or putting on wht is clearly a v tight forced smile.... but there is one particular pic we have thts lovely as it captures me genuinely smiling and laughing whilst posing for the camera, which resulted from the photographer putting on a donald duck voice n pretending t get fustrated with my lack of smiles.... so i think tht doin sumthin alil silly like tht cud work, think of sumthin funny to say or use a prop, itl make even the children who are trying to be annoying genuinely smile and its the genuine smiles that make the best pics and capture ure subject best.

Answer 2

I'm a bit of a photographer myself. Not a professional, but a student. When I've taken pictures of any subject (many times my cats and, quite a few times, the little girl I baby sit for). I know how hard it is to keep the child's attention directed on you. However, if you're going for an artistic shot, you may find your photos will look better if the subject is actually looking away from the camera. However, if you're talking about working at a photography studio where you're being paid to make children "smile for the camera," you may want to have a stuffed animal with you so you can make it... perform in front of the subject. That way the child's attention is up in front, as it should be, and the animal may make the child smile. Perhaps even a live, tranquil animal might do the trick.

Answer 3

That is one reason child photography is so hard!

My grandchildren are well trained, lol. They are 7 and 5, and break into a camera pose at the drop of a shutter. The challenge is to keep them natural looking and not too cheesy.

You can try doing funny things, playing with animals, toys etc etc. A lot depends on their age, what works for a two year old won't work on a six year old. Unless you're a professional doing it for pay, just take things as they come. If today isn't a good day for pictures, try again later.

Good pictures happen when children are engaged in something that interests them., or during play.

Good luck!

Answer 4

The best photos i think are not the ones where they pose for the camera and put up a smile. But the natural ones where the kids are having a laugh, looking in awe, even sleeping. The pics are like a snapshot of time. You can then remeber all the emotions of that moment rather than just usual coerced smiling shots.

Happy snapping!

Answer 5

One of the cool things about didgital photography is you can just start "snapping away" while trying different things. I generally start a conversation, get the child interested in it (yeah, this only works well above age 3, and then you have to tailor the content), and start "snapping". Eventually the novelty of the camera will wear off, the child will stop paying attention to it, and at some point the child will be genuinely pleased by something one of you has said. Those are the best smiles anyway:)

For the younger set, starting to "snap" and then popping over the top of the camera with one of those party squeakers that extend a foot and a half when you blow them does well.

If you're still in film, neither one of these will serve you economically :)

Answer 6

Kids love to see themselves. If they are old enough to understand what's going on, take a photo of them with a digital camera, and then show them the photo. It's amazing, often they will start posing and being very interesting because they have never seen an still of something they just did from a different point of view.

Answer 7

I have some experience with this. I have been photographing the 3 kids I take care of for almost 4 years now. All of their "professional" looking photos are ones I have taken. about 2 years ago i started having them say silly things. or repeat what ever I say. Granted you do NOT always get a great shot of a child. Most of the time I just let them be them selves and snap away you get some pretty nice shots. most of which can be fixed up a bit with photo shop. Here are a few of my best shots taken in the last year.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/arabella_noelle/collage407.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/arabella_noelle/collage365.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/arabella_noelle/collage654.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f31/arabella_noelle/collage659.jpg

Answer 8

well, you either have some stuffed toy animals at one hand and try to get the attention of the target, or have someone who dresses up in a clown costume or something and make him or her appear in front of the target at the moment you want to take the picture. This might help to draw the attention of children.
Good luck!

Answer 9

Try offering them them a small piece of candy if they stay still and smile for a moment. Not giving them the candy until the photo is taken will put them in a state of compromise and cause them to have to put up with their end of the deal.

Answer 10

A good way of getting a small childs attention is with a toy, preferably one that makes a noise - with a squeak, rattle etc.
Also blowing raspberries can work too.