No Cheese Please!
Why I Don’t Ask Children to Smile for Photos
How to Encourage Natural Expressions on your Family Photoshoot
It happens often that parents apologise for their kids not behaving on photoshoots. And you know what? They don’t need to behave! I think kids are just perfect when they are being themselves and the photos are much nicer than those usual “say CHEEEEESE” moments. Candid children photos are just the best!
Children are naturally expressive. I love taking photos when they are quietly focused on a little task like picking a flower or playing with a toy. Or sometimes it’s a burst of laughter from something silly that happened. Often, it’s a tiny moment snapped in between.
On a photoshoot, the camera picks up on all the little things: the way they wrinkle their little noses when they giggle, a little frown if they get a bit bored, or maybe the excitement of having someone with a big camera taking a picture of just them!! I often get lots of laughs too when I ask their sibling or parent to do something daft.
These are the best moments, the ones that really tell the story of who they are at this age.
Why Natural Photos Work Best
They show their true personality. Not just staged poses (no cheeeese pleeeease)
They’re relaxed – no pressure, no fuss, just them being themselves.
They last – the real moments never go out of fashion.
When I photograph children, I work to keep things calm and unhurried. If we are in your home, out for a walk, or at the beach, we follow their lead. I might gently guide or suggest something silly, but there’s no pressure for them to perform. They might climb, wander, cuddle up, or lie in the grass...and that’s exactly what I hope for. Because if they are at ease, we get the best pics
It’s Not About Perfect Smiles
So if you’re worried your child won’t stay still, or they’re too shy or too full of beans then please don’t. There's no need to tell them to smile, or stop running around, or to stand still or even to stop waving their arms! I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for real life, just as it is. In all its perfect imperfect glorious messiness.
