As a Vernon Photographer, I am often working with clients, other than my own children, but I always make a point to photograph them at least every season together.  This season, we celebrate the Apple Blossoms.  I am REALLY spoiled when it comes to finding a gorgeous, old growth orchard.  It is next door to my house.  I literally walk through a gate and I am surrounded by old trees and fragrant blossoms. I fear that orchard blossom photos are going to be a thing of the past in the near future as all the old orchards are being replaced by the thinner, shorter, and planted close together, types.  This makes me very sad. As I grew up next door to where I now live, I have such fond memories of these tall trees, full of fruit…all of which needed a ladder to be picked.

Obviously my children, Jack (who will be turning 5 this August) and Ava (who turns two at the end of the month) are no strangers to being in front of the camera.  This doesn’t automatically guarantee success in a session, but it sure helps.

I will say, if you are looking for tips for photographing your own children, there are some helpful hints that will definitely help.

First, pick a time when your children are well rested.  This especially applies for a child who is still napping.  DO NOT try to take photos of a tired toddler!

DON’T ask your children to smile.  This will illicit the goofy smile; that all children, who are trying to be accommodating, are going to use.  Instead, you want to make them laugh and wait for that genuine smile.  Obviously, if you are photographing all your children together, it becomes that much more difficult to capture them both with a natural look, but if you start with them individually, they will learn.

ALLOW your children to pose in ways they feel comfortable.  Allow them to play within the pose, or have them mirror you.  If you raise your arms and stretch them out wide (or better yet have someone behind you doing it) they will most likely copy you.

Having a fast, DSLR camera also helps.  If you are using a point and shoot, it won’t focus as quickly and when you see the perfect moment, you may be disappointed it didn’t capture it…and the moment has passed.

Practice makes perfect.  Have fun outside this Spring with your family capturing those precious moments!