As most parents know, getting a photo of your children that you can proudly display on your desk at work can sometimes feel like an impossible feat.

Before you give up on trying, consider these few tips to enable you to capture your little bundles of joy without inducing tears or tantrums.

Tip 1: Camera Casual

If your children seem to freeze or strike ridiculous poses every time you take out a camera then start by making them feel more comfortable around your camera.  Try carrying your camera around always or better yet ask your child to carry it for you (shock proof cameras are good for this).  As your camera becomes a normal part of you and your children’s lives, start taking a few shots a day.  You can increase the number of shots per day as they become more used to being photographed.

Tip 2: Let them decide

A child’s discomfort in a photo can ruin an otherwise great shot.  One of the best ways to ensure that you have their whole-hearted cooperation is to negotiate with them.  Agree that if they follow your instructions for some “fancy” photos (desk-worthy) you’ll shoot some just the way they want.  Let them choose exactly what they want to wear and do.

While allowing your kids to choose how they want some of their photos to be taken may seem like a silly idea, they can occasionally yield some truly heart-warming shots.  At the very least they provide some dynamite photos to show at their wedding someday. Either way, compromising with kids when taking their picture is a win-win situation.

Tip 3: Make it a fun experience

Photo taking does not need to seem like a chore for your kids. Depending on the ages of your kids, taking turns as the photographer is a great way for them to have fun while you get exactly what you want.  Snap photos of them and in turn show them what to do when it’s their turn. Children also learn a lot about following instructions through this.

Once you’ve shot an agreed number of photos, hand them the camera and remind them what to do.  Don’t forget to act as compliant with your photographer as you’d like them to be for you. Children often exaggerate the tone or attitude of their photographer when it’s their turn. In the process you may even learn a thing or two about how they perceive you.   Allowing children to take a turn as the photographer will usually make them more willing to take direction when it’s your turn to photograph.

Tip 4: Natural is the way to go

If your children often get fussy when being photographed, then this may be because they are doing or wearing something that makes them feel uncomfortable (could be a frilly dress or a contrived pose). Children do not like being fake and let’s face it, forced posed photos are less appealing. Snap photos of them when they are in their natural and comfortable state. It is the self-awareness that can actually induce the tantrums and panic.

Tip 5: Capture the Little Moments

Many parents get discouraged when they can’t get their kids to look and act like perfect little people.  If you’re one of these parents then we’ve got news for you. Savour their spirit, and capture it (muddy faces, angry pouts, those are the things you’ll miss).  One of the reasons we want to capture our children’s lives in photos more than our own is because they make us laugh and drive us crazy all at once.  These are the pictures that portray who they really are and this is what you should be trying to capture.

KoodibooK is about sharing your memories and making inspiring designs while giving you the best possible experience with photobook creation.  The Free photobook software allows you to access your photos at amazing speed from wherever they are stored and use them to create photobooks that can be published anywhere.

Photo credit: ALANIS by Mailgomad, Dustin & Makayla by xCrimsonregret and Kids by lAliusl