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SALT LAKE CITY — For parents with young toddlers, it's difficult to get a decent picture of them. Toddlers can be squirmy, crabby or distracted by chaos that is occurring around them. In order not to miss this valuable time of your toddler's life, here are some tricks to help you take scrapbook-worthy photos.
- Do not prompt a toddler to “say cheese.” This phrase often causes the toddler to have a fake and cheesy smile. Instead, prompt the child to wiggle their toes or clap their hands. The photographer should even make funny noises to catch the toddler’s attention.
- Let the toddler hold his favorite toy. Having something in his hands will often distract the child and reduce the need to wiggle and move.
- Let your toddler be in her element. Don’t set up a fancy backdrop and expect the toddler to stay put. Photograph the toddler in her natural setting. This will allow you to get priceless “in action” shots that you would not have been able to get in a set-up environment.
- Natural lighting is always best. If taking pictures indoors, it is best to put the toddler in lighting from the outdoors. If taking photos outside, find the right balance of shade and light. This will take some experimentation.
- Be prepared to take a lot of photos. You have to be quick if you want to catch the toddler smiling, so be patient.
- Make sure your fingers are out of the way. When that perfect shot does come along, you don't want to have it ruined by something obstructing the camera.
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Let us know on the Happy Living Facebook page by sending us a message.- Get down on the child’s level. It is easier to capture moments when you are not towering over the child.
- Don’t photograph a cranky toddler. Instead, work around the child's nap schedule and meal times.
- The face is not the only thing a photographer should focus on. Hands, fingers, toes, eyes and legs are all great things to capture as well.
- You don't need a fancy camera to take a good picture. All cameras work — even smartphones. You do not have to take your toddler to an expensive studio to get his picture taken. Often the most valuable photos are of your child at home, playing with toys or interacting with the people he loves.
Shelby Scoffield has a Bachelors in English from Brigham Young University and a Masters in Rhetoric and Composition from Stanislaus State University.
