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I hear it from parents all the time, “my kid HATES having their picture taken,” or “I dont think it’s going to go very well because he’s horrible with strangers.”  Luckly, most of the time, I can win over even the toughest critic.  Sessions that start out in tears and grumpy faces often end in laughter and smiles.  It’s really important to me that, when shooting children, the client feels comfortable and, most of all, that they have fun.  A session that is all pose-y and stressful is terrible for everyone.  This session was one of those rare ones that I just COULD NOT get the little one to smile.  I tried every trick in my book; he would not sit still, wanted mamma, ect.  Big brother did everything he could to get his little bro to giggle, but it just wasn’t happening.  If you are reading this and feel like “this is totally my kid,” FEAR NOT!!!  Of the hundreds of photo sessions i’ve shot, I can count 2 or 3 times where I have totally called the thing a wash out.

So, that said, here’s what I do when I have a completely uncooperative client.  We quit and try again another day.  Yep, that’s it.  My magic secret.  Honestly, though, sometimes all it takes is stepping away from things and trying again to make all the difference in the world.  Sometimes a parent feels bad asking me to come back another day and try again, but I promise, I am more than happy and willing to make a rain date and have a do over.  Kids are kids, and sometimes, no matter what we try, a photo session just doesn’t work out.  All it took was a new location and a new outlook and we got some great shots with big smiles all around.

If you are nervous about your kids’ session or feeling stressed about how they will cooperate, please, don’t be.  I have a whole hat full of tricks to illicit smiles from even the most unlikely candidate.  These little guys were great subjects the second time around.  I have a huge file of children’s session I could have drawn from for this post, but this was really is a favorite.  Something about little boys, and brothers specifically, just makes for a fun time all around.  They are always goofy, always rascally, and more often than not, a little big mischievous.

Take One:  Blurry, out of focus, and not very pleasant.  Not a happy camper at all.  No worries, though.  It happens!

Take Two: New day, new location, and smiles for miles.  Yay!!

This shot was from our first try, actually.  Sometimes, even when things don’t go as planned, a sweet shot is still in the mix.