10 Tips for Taking Great Toddler Photos

As a parent, you want to capture every step, smile, their first day of school, and birthday your child has. But we don’t always know how to take a great photo.

Here are some of my 10 easy tips for taking photos just like us photographers.  The best thing is that you don't need a fancy camera - your smartphone will do the trick… you just need to follow these simple rules.

1. Keep it simple
Kids are not formal by nature. Dress them in simple clothing to keep the focus on them.  Avoid wearing patterns and bright colours that taken the focus away from them.

2. Don't force the smile!

Children’s natural expressions are the best.  The more you force the "say cheese", the more they avoid giving you a real smile.  Whether it be saying a funny word like “oh no” or asking them to sing their favourite song, a natural smile is always the best one.

3. Let them be them

It’s okay if they have their favourite toy or accesory, the point is that you’re letting them be themselves. Capture what makes them giggle.   Just make sure to choose a toy that also adds to the image.

4. Take them outside 

Toddlers love the outdoors and exploring.  Use natural light or find some shade and shoot in the early morning or late afternoons.

5. Capture the little details 

Eye contact is nice to have, but also remember to focus on your toddler’s other cute features, such as their feet, their curly hair or tiny hands. 

6. Be patient 
Digital cameras allow to to take multiple photos so don't be afraid to overshoot. Keep shooting until you capture that moment you've been waiting for.

7. Get in close
Don’t be afraid to get in close and on their level. Try different angles until you see the sparkle of “catchlights” in their eyes or the cute expression 

8. Get them to look out the window

Natural light from outside makes for lovely photos.   Children are curious by nature.  Get them to look out the window and ask them if they see things like - a bear, a firetruck, et.  Then capture that moment when they look back at you giggling - be fast!

9.  Use Stickers

Stickers help toddlers cooperate and you can use them to get them to move and stay still. A trick I use is to ask them to sit on animals stickers and ask them to keep the animal warm. Works every time especially for kids that like to move.

10. Bribe them - we all do it! 

Most photographers resort to bribes to get toddlers to cooperate so don’t feel guilty about doing it.
If they know there's a treat if they behave, they are more likely to be focused.

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