Kids are completely unpredictable. They can be so adorable and easy-going and laughing uncontrollably one minute, and the next minute, turn that charm off completely. They will typically smile for you all day long until you put them in front of a camera, then they freeze up like a deer in headlights. We want to avoid the gritted teeth and bug-eyed forced smiles during our session.

Here are some things you can do:

1. Make a list of things that your child thinks are funny and send it to us prior to the session. This way, we can be prepared and add these things into our bag of tricks.
2. Also give us a list of icebreakers for your child. Tell me the kinds of shows they watch, music they listen to, friends’ names, favorite story, etc. This will give us something to talk to them about and will help them forget they are in front of the camera.
3. Practice phrases at home to see which ones will evoke the best smiles from your child. (Please, oh please, avoid “Say cheese!” unless that really works for you child.)
4. Try out a couple of jokes with them. During the session, I can ask them to tell me a joke and this will typically loosen them up as they talk to me.
5. If there is a song your child loves, load it on your phone and bring it with you, or be prepared to sing it!
6. Prepare a bribe (such as a toy, a trip to the zoo, etc.) and shoe it to them or remind them of it during the session.

With all these tools we are sure to get them to be happy and smile!

xoxo, Traci