Every family is different and not every child or partner are comfortable in front of the camera. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have professional images of your family. On the contrary, a professional photographer will be of great help in this circumstance. I’ve made below a guide on how to manage a difficult child or partner who doesn’t like being photographed.
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Use this moment as a way to celebrate your family
First, explain to your child or your partner why it’s important to your family. That these images would show your family love and connection for now and when they will grow older. These images will be their own, they will be able to display where they want it, in their bedroom or in the hallway. Ask them some ideas of what silly faces they could do, this will make them feel involved, more like a team effort.
2. Take it easy
Secondly, I want you to relax throughout the photoshoot. Take the pressure off, because it won’t help your child or your partner. Have a relaxed day with your family before, playing your child favourite game. Put them in a good mindset before the session.
Prepare some jokes to tell me during your photo session.
3. Trust the Pro
I want you to take this weight off your shoulder and trust me with the process.
During the session, we have fun and we stay mobile, which means we will avoid overly posed, cringy pictures but instead have movement and connection. If your child (or partner) isn’t comfortable with direct eye contact with the camera, that’s not a big deal as it’s not my favourite shot anyway. As a lifestyle family photographer, I prefer natural pictures, that looks genuine and caught in the moment but don’t be mistaken, it is posed and I will give you the direction on how to recreate this instant that looks natural in the picture.
We will play photo games and I will ask questions to your child to help them relax, like “What’s the silliest thing Daddy does?’
I will make your child “squeeze Mummy” or “run around Mummy and Daddy”, and this will help them feel more comfortable. I am a fast shooter and never hold poses for too long. This helps get relaxed and various photos. Time will fly, and will be over before you know it!
Overall, we’ll have fun during the session and they will ask for more next time. Photoshoots will feel more comfortable every year and they will come to enjoy it. I hope after this blog, that you won’t be pushing back family photos anymore, and instead, be looking forward to it. I invite you to book a session here.
Albalone,
Your North London Family Photographer
