I’m the first to admit that I’m not the best when it comes to photographing kids. It’s not that I lack the equipment or even the photography skill, it’s my seriously lack of patience. Two minutes into shooting my own kids and I want to pull my hair out. First, they won’t look at the camera. Second, they only give me smiles that are eerily reminiscent of Sponge-Bob. And Third, they act like they’re in pain.
Basically, shooting my own children is torture. But on the flip side I’m always up for a challenge.
On Monday my kids were home from school, so I decided it was time to snap a picture of my kids–note, my goal would be to snap one that I wouldn’t have to swap 3 of the 4 heads.
I pulled out the big guns: CANDY.
I’ve found that if you have ‘non-staining’ candy on hand in small doses it gives you a tool that will help you capture awesome shots. Take a few shots. Then when the kids start to act antsy, pull out a small piece of candy. Let them eat it, and then proceed with the shoot. Keep a better, bigger, more exciting piece of candy in reserve.
The small rewards along the way will remind the kids of the bigger piece to come once the shoot is done. Make sure you wait to shoot until the candy is eaten and wiped off the faces of the kids. Keep snapping, and keep them happy.
Then, at the end of the shoot, I reward the kids with an even better piece of candy. Monday’s choice: Gumballs. What kid doesn’t love a gumball?
I also kept on hand: wipes, toys, and an assistant.
Without further ado, here’s my sweeter than candy shots!
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