The terrible two's and a terrible photo shoot: How to photograph toddlers
My son turned two on January 25th, and I remember thinking we had it easy because he was still such a little angel 99% of the time. As long as he went to bed at 7pm, had a good nap in the day and wasn’t hungry I rarely saw tantrums. Oh the naivety! Maybe it’s the age or perhaps it’s the quarantine, or a combination of both. He is incredibly smart, and right now deprived of his usual routine which involves going to the library, seeing his grandparents, going to dance class, and much more. Now everyday is sort of a roller coaster of him being so happy and sweet one minute and having a total meltdown the next, complete with a purple face, flinging arms and lots of tears. I spend lots of time googling “toddler behaviour”, and I’m pretty sure it’s all normal. He is growing by leaps and bounds, and testing the limits.
“Having a 2-year-old is like having a blender you don’t have the lid to”
Once upon a time photoshoots were easy. Obviously, Alexandre is my absolute favourite person to photograph! He also seemed to enjoy photoshoots, smiling and exclaiming “be a model mommy”, whenever I would set up a new backdrop. He would even ask me to take his photo! How cute is that? He still does enjoy having his photo taken for the most part, but just because I want to do a photoshoot doesn’t mean he will cooperate. This is something I saw even before becoming a mom during family photoshoots and I always told parents not to worry, small children and babies tend to control the photoshoot and it’s totally normal. So let’s talk about this photoshoot.
Creativity, candies and cuddles
I had purchased the adorable firefighter backdrop with the hope of doing mini sessions with them, but then the pandemic hit and that got put on hold. But I thought, why not do one with Xandre? He loves fire trucks, wanted to be a fire fighter for Halloween, and even has a hat. So I put him down for his nap and went to work in the basement setting everything up. However, I think on this particular day he woke up a bit grumpy. I gave him a little snack and took him downstairs thinking he would be thrilled to see this set up. He was not! Must to my dismay he was upset seeing his fire truck downstairs instead of upstairs. He did not want to be in front of the backdrop and started to have a little tantrum asking for candies. I tried to take some photos but it didn’t work out so we took a long break. We went on with our day and outside for a walk returning a few hours later to try the shoot again. This time he was happy and relaxed and content to play a bit with his toys.
Photographing toddlers poses unique challenges, so here are some things I have learned along the way. These tips apply to beginner photographers or people photographing their own kids. I'll write another post for parents who have a photoshoot booked, as there is a lot you can do as a client with a toddler to make the session go more smoothly.
1) Pick the right time
This goes for babies as well and even older kids. My son tends to be the happiest and most cooperative in the morning between wake-up time (7:15am) and about an hour before he takes his nap (around noon). He tends to be the least cooperative before his nap and around dinner time and until bedtime, but every kid is different. Don’t photograph toddlers when they are likely to be tried or hungry. Also know how long of an attention span you are working with as most toddlers won’t be likely to sit still for a long time. If I am photographing a family outdoors and they have small children I know the photoshoot will last as long as the children will cooperate and not much longer after that. This one can be tricky because the best time to photograph anything is shortly after the sun rises or before the sun sets. Sometimes you have to disregard the beautiful golden light and choose a time kids will be happy instead. In the summer I find around 930am is best as most toddlers are still happy and the light is still good.
2) Have props
Some photographers don’t like using props, but I enjoy them because it gives kids something to do. I even enjoy using them with adults too as they break the ice a bit if people are awkward in front of the camera. It also gives nice candid photos in the end. With children I might bring individual bottles of bubbles they can keep, a little stool to sit on, a toy to play with that is relevant, or funny glasses. For example, I gave my son a small firetruck to hold in this photoshoot because I knew he wouldn’t just sit on the stool with nothing in his hands. For a fall photoshoot you can bring a pumpkin, or a wagon. In the winter bring a sleigh or twinkle lights. You can be so creative. Be mindful you don’t want a prop that might stain clothing. Try to stay away from any prop that has small parts that might break off, and if you are the photographer be mindful the kids sometimes want to keep the props. I normally don’t let anyone take my props as I rely on them, but if it’s something I can buy again easily like bubbles from the dollar store then I let the kids keep them.
3) Use snacks
I have used snacks more than once during a shoot. Sometimes they are eaten if toddlers need a break or distraction and sometimes I even let my son eat a snack during the shoot. This one is tricky I don’t want him with a mouth full of food and I don’t want anything messy that will stain the backdrop. Something like a banana isn’t a good idea, but I like those little gummy candies if the child is old enough to eat them. They are small, and don’t make a mess. Don’t let kids run around with the food you don’t want a choking fit during a session. Ask parents to bring a non messy snack for their little loves.
4) Work fast and be prepared
I snap a lot of photos with toddlers because they are always moving and get bored easily. I try to have everything ready before people arrive as their patience goes fast. If I am doing a shoot in my studio I try to use a doll or stuffed animal to test the lighting. I have sometimes failed to do this and every time it has caused an issue. Don’t make people wait.
5) Using a fast shutter speed
For those using a camera, use a shutter speed of at least 500 so there is no motion blur (unless that’s what you want). Even in the studio, you might want a toddler to sit still but they may move their hands or legs. You can get really great photos of a toddler running around outside, playing with a prop, running into their parents arms etc. You don’t want to have blurry photos, so if you don’t know how to shoot in manual yet turn your dial to TV, which is shutter priority. This lets you pick the shutter speed and the camera picks the aperture and ISO so you don’t have to. For those using a phone, the camera is usually on auto, as in your don’t pick the settings yourself, so as long as you are in a well lit area you shouldn't get any blur.
6) Do posed photos first
If you want some more formal photos of a child looking at the camera do those first while they still have patience.
7) Let them run around at the end and take some canid photos
You will know when the posed photos are done as any toddler will start to fuss and resist, or get clingy.
8) Play peek-a-book and interact
Some toddlers may be out of this phase already but I find most of them still like peek-a-boo. Make funny faces, ask their parents what their favourite cartoons or characters are, and talk to them about that. Show them photos of themselves from the back of your camera, they usually love that. If the child is shy get their parents involved and have them stand behind you.
9) Get their attention with a funny prop
This prop is not one the child plays with it is one they look at. I have a funny ball with a face on it and when you squeeze it the tongue pops out and it makes a squeaky noise. This always gets their attention!
10) Don’t push it and take breaks if you need to
Sometimes you don’t need to end the shoot you just need to take a break. Maybe this means a cuddle for a few minutes with mom or dad, a snack, or just a break to run around. When the shoot is done you will know, and their parents will let you know.
To sum it up, wait until your toddler is happy well fed and rested to do a shoot and then just go with the flow!
Happy toddlers make for beautiful photos! Here are the rest of the photos from the shoot, some taken during the first round and the last 3 in the second round later that day.
