Suggestions for Childrens Portraits

All images shown on our Children's page were shot at our studio.

Clothing:

You may bring up to two outfits but keep in mind that most children only last through one.
Put them in the most important outfit first.
Solid or small print outfits work best.

Timing:

Toddlers: try to schedule your appointment around meals and nap time. Children are not cooperative right when they wake up, or right before nap time or meal time.
Plan to come early to look through our children's album for ideas. At the start of the sitting, the photographer will go over your ideas with you. You need to sit back and relax for the first half of the sitting. Let the photographer get to know your child and be creative with their individual personality to create a shot just right for them. Your child will relax and be natural if they feel you are relaxed. Your child will get a little break at midpoint when you can talk to the photographer again about what you would like him or her to do.
Infants: Midway through the sitting, the photographer will give you time to feed your infant, so we can get some sleeping shots.
Please arrive early if you will be changing them into their outfit and/or fixing their hair. The photographers will be ready to shoot at the time of your appointment.

Helping children to prepare for the shoot:

Show your children a photograph before the sitting and tell them they are going to have their picture taken too.
Emphasize that it will be fun and when you are done, the photographer will have a little prize for them.
If you are concerned about their smile, help them to know what their smile looks like before the sitting by playing with them in front of the mirror. Try not to mention that you are practicing for the picture, so they can be themselves and not get nervous. Make it a game.
If they won't smile, its ok, natural can look even more beautiful than smiles.

Helping unhappy children on the day of the shoot:

Try to stay calm. When we parents get upset, our children get more upset.
If your child is crying, the first step is to take a little break if possible.
If they are old enough, let the photographer show them their picture on the camera screen.
The photographers try to have small, non-clothes-staining-candy with them, please request some if you think it will help.
Avoid trying to force them to smile, they will feel your frustration and be unable to relax .
Sometimes children do better with mom standing back, out of sight. If they see you relaxed enough to sit down, they will relax and be themselves.
Children are also more obedient with strangers than mom. You