A big concern and sometimes stress for families that have a big photo session coming up is....is my child going to cooperate? At Puddles & Pearls, we will try everything we can to help your photo session go as smooth as possible with your little ones. Here are some tips I find helpful when it comes to picture day. 

1. Don't worry about getting them into their special outfit until you arrive at the studio. So many things can happen on your way to the studio and one thing you don't need to worry about is if the outfit is going to get messed up in any way. Accidents can happen, spills, stains or even a tantrum to get the outfit on can all come into play. Don't stress about outfits until you arrive at the studio. We have a private room with a mirror and changing table to get everyone put together when you arrive. Also, if your kiddo may not want to get dressed right away, we have no problem waiting until he or she is ready and comfortable.

2. Build a connection. At Puddles & Pearls we believe a connection with each, and every family member is important. We want everyone that we are photographing to feel comfortable with us in the studio. When you are comfortable with your photographer, you will be more relaxed and feel more confident in getting your portrait taken. This is very important when it comes to the little ones that visit us in the studio. Many kids can be shy and of course can have stranger danger. We like to build that connection with the little ones whether it's through communication, toys, music, or games. We want him/her to warm up to us so that when it's their time to shine in front of the camera they are willing and more likely to smile and cooperate. We understand that every kiddo is different and sometimes some kids take longer to warm up then others. 

3. Bring their favorite toy or snack. Sometimes bringing in your child's favorite toy that makes them feel comfortable can help a lot. We can incorporate their toy into some of the photos or use it to help them in certain poses or even to get them to giggle and smile. Snacks are great also! Sometimes we have to resort to a little bribery. With some kids, if they know they are about to receive their favorite snack they are more keen to cooperate more quickly. 

4. Sleep plays a huge role on the day of your portrait session. It is so important your little one gets the rest they need before the big day. Whether this be the day before for an early morning shoot or a good morning nap before an afternoon shoot. If the child is cranky and tired, they are more likely not going to do well during your photo session. This also may lead to easily brought on tantrums or crying. We want to avoid this if we can. We as adults know that when we are tired, we are more irritated and get aggravated more easily, this can apply to our little ones as well. Please note, sometimes our sleep schedule can unexpectedly get disrupted before a photo shoot. We are always ready for this at Puddles & Pearls and will still always do our best to get those perfect portraits for your family. 

5. Posing. With little ones, they are typically in their own world and on their own schedule. This is why casual and candid portraits tend to be the best posing style to aim for. Some children do not do well with formal and posed poses and they can be very difficult to achieve due to them holding the pose and sitting still. If you are willing to try for more casual and candid poses, this is a great opportunity to possibly get some great portraits you may have never thought about getting. We can make it a fun session, play games, have a great time, letting your little one or your family as a whole just be comfortable and in their natural element. With that being said, we will always aim first to do the poses you desire and have many tricks up our sleeve to get your little one to smile and look at the camera. 

We hope these tips can help for your next photo session. If you have any other tips or tricks you use, we would love to hear them!