Whether you’ve got a little toddler of your own or you’ve been tasked with the responsibility of photographing a client, we’re sure that you might agree with us when we say that toddlers present a unique set of challenges when it comes to photography.
From being asked to sit still, pose in a certain way and even crack a smile on que – unlike adults, toddlers can certainly be a little harder to direct than a grown up!
But, luckily enough, capturing professional-quality photos of your toddler is more than possible – and we are here to show you how!
So, without further ado, just keep on reading to discover all of the best ideas we have to share to ensure that your photography photoshoot goes down a success. All of the tips and tricks that we have to share can be used by beginner photographers and professionals, alike. Read on!
1. Use Props
One of the most important pieces of advice that we have to share with you when it comes to photographing toddlers is to make sure that the photoshoot is as immersive and fun as possible can be.
This means one thing: props! Besides ensuring that the photoshoot itself will be more immersive and create visual interest in the picture results, using props will also help to keep children engaged and having a good time while you are picturing them.
Along with props, you can also consider using regular games and toys to help keep the toddlers entertained while you are photographing them.
For many professional photographers, they will typically allow toddlers to take a short break in-between posing to grab a drink, eat a snack and, of course, play with all of their favorite toys!
If you have been hired by a client, we recommend that you ask them to bring along some of the toddler’s toys, as you’ll be able to use them both in the shoot as well as during breaks. This will help to keep the toddler engaged and interested in the session.
2. Get Them Moving!
As we’re sure you might be aware, it can be pretty tricky to get toddlers to stand still! For this reason, we highly recommend that you consider encouraging the toddler (or toddlers) to have fun, jump around and get moving.
It can be pretty hard to keep little ones engaged for long periods of time, which is why regularly getting them to move around and have fun is a great way to keep them enjoying the session. In turn, this should result in natural photography images that your client will love.
If you have been tasked with the responsibility of capturing candid moments, then why don’t you consider playing some music in the background during the photography session?
This will help to make the environment fun to be in, and the toddlers will feel encouraged to move around and dance.
In particular, playing music in the background is a great way to capture candid moments that incorporate movement.
However, if you are planning to take portrait photography of toddlers sitting down, an alternative option you can consider is having “dance breaks” with music playing during intermittent breaks during the session.
3. Try Different Perspectives
Another way that you will be able to capture awesome, creative imagery of toddlers (that will still be natural) is by trying out different perspectives than just a standard portrait angle.
While it’s certainly easy to capture a typical “point and shoot” style portrait image, by thinking a little out of the box, you will be able to effortlessly elevate the images that you create with a creative flair.
There are plenty of ways that you can create different perspectives in your toddler portrait images. If you’re in need of inspiration, one of the best ways that you can do this is by asking the toddler to lay down on the ground.
While the toddler is laying down on the ground, you will then be able to take an image from a birds-eye view of the subject, which will instantly add visual interest and depth to the image.
This is just one example of how you can totally transform a toddler portrait into something creative and different.
4. Tell A Story!
This is by far one of the best ways to engage toddlers and get them excited for a photoshoot! Not only that, but this is also a creative way to get the rest of the family involved, as well.
As you might have guessed from the title, all you are going to need to do is simply come up with a story, and then get the toddler (and whoever else might be featuring in the images) to tell out the story.
The story can be about just about anything you like, and is an awesome way to capture candid moments that will last forever.
If you’re interested in trying out this method during future toddler photography sessions, then we recommend that you take the time to plan out what the story will be prior to the photography session.
This is a great way to save time on the day, as well as to be able to gather all of the props and clothing needed for the photography session.
Top Tip: If you want to make the images more fun and engaging to look at, then why don’t you consider incorporating a variety of different props?
Besides adding more visual interest, props will be able to elevate the storytelling in the images, especially as you aren’t going to be able to use words.
5. Get Creative With Color
If you’re stuck for ideas on how to create a fun and engaging photoshoot, then why don’t you consider getting creative with color? You could have a themed photoshoot around just one color or multiple.
Not only that, but this can also be a fun way to educate toddlers on their colors! This is a great photoshoot option for those wanting to take their own photos instead of hiring a photographer.
If you’re interested in trying out a color-themed photoshoot and you want it to be formal, then you could theme the background to match the color you have chosen as the main theme, as well as wear clothing that is in the color, as well.
Alternatively, if you want the photoshoot to have a more relaxed and laid back atmosphere, then why don’t you consider incorporating movement?
Getting your toddler to paint a picture using the color you have chosen will make for great pictures, all while allowing you to capture natural photos that you will be able to cherish forever.
6. Pick An Emotion And Photograph It!
This is another creative way to capture candid moments of toddlers while also being able to teach them about emotion! Let’s discover more about this creative photograph option below:
If you want to create an immersive experience while also capturing great moments that will last forever, then creating a photoshoot based around an emotion is an awesome idea (see also: 5 Awesome Moon Astrophotography Ideas)to consider trying.
You can pick just about any emotion that you like to portray in the image, ranging from happiness all the way to sadness.
Prior to going ahead with the photography session, you should make sure that you have picked the emotion that you want the photoshoot to display.
After you have done this, you can then begin to brainstorm all of the different ways that you might like to incorporate the emotion that you have chosen to display in the images.
For example, if you have chosen to explore the feeling of happiness, then you are going to want to make sure that the images you capture of the toddler(s) are full of laughter, fun and plenty of smiles.
You can incorporate a variety of props to enhance the emotion you are representing, including plenty of movement (such as laughing and dancing) to encourage candid shots during the photography session, as well!
This photography idea is perfect for home-based photos, but if you are a professional photographer looking for ways to add creativity to your photos, then you should make sure to speak with the client prior to the photoshoot to make sure that you are both in agreement of what the session will entail.
The Bottom Line
All in all? There are plenty of different options that you have to choose from when it comes to your toddler’s photoshoot, and we hope that we have been able to assist you in settling on one.
No matter whether you are planning on DYing your toddler’s photoshoot or you would prefer to go with a professional photographer, each creative photography idea that we have shared with you above will ensure you get professional results you can treasure forever.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this guide, and goodbye for now.
Hey everyone, and welcome to LemonadeAndLenses.com. My name is Laura and I am the founder of this site!
For as long as I can remember, I have loved taking photographs. There is nothing I love more than looking back through old pictures, and having all of the memories come flooding back.
If you want to learn about how to take professional images, and to run your own photography business, then I can help you out, here at Lemonade And Lenses.
