During one of my daughter’s first photo shoots, the pictures turned out amazing, but I was shocked to see the results. I spent the entire time trying to get her to look at the camera, making silly faces, and mostly chasing after her. I wish the photographer at the time had told me to just relax (or given me the following tips!).

Thank you to Alayna Parker of Pieces of 8 Photography for providing her suggestions for a positive photo session…

1. Don’t worry if you’re child isn’t looking at the camera the entire time. Some of the most natural looking images are ones that are not posed.

2. Don’t take over the session! You may think the way your child is posed with his hands on his lap and head tilted to the side is sweet, but things look different through the lens.
3. Bring props. Toys, stuffed animals, bicycles, sports equipment, bubbles, the list goes on and on! Anything that your child loves or that will keep her occupied is perfect!
4. Don’t be afraid to just let your child do whatever he wants to do during the session. If he wants to splash in the puddles or try out the monkey bars, that’s great! It makes for more unique and natural photos.

5. Don’t expect that your little one will be good for the entire session. They most likely won’t. From my personal experience, any child under 6 has about a 15 to 30 minute tolerance for a camera in their personal space. If your child is one of those with a small attention span, think about doing just a 20 minute or 30 minute session. You may have to wait until teenage years to go for the full hour!

6. Above all, have fun! You want this to be a positive experience for your child. And don’t underestimate the power of bribery!

If you live in the central Ohio area, Pieces of 8 Photography is offering a special package for Wooky Baby customers.

Please add any tips you have for a stress-free photo session in the comment section!