Toledo Photographer

Cynthia is a Toledo Photographer. She photographs on-location candid and emotive photography and serves the Toledo, Sylvania, Maumee, Holland, Perrysburg, Oregon, and Northwest Ohio areas. Cynthia is available for maternity, newborn, baby, children, and family portraits and lifestyle photo sessions. She often loves exploring the Metroparks with her clients like this session shot at Side Cut Metropark in Maumee.

How to keep a toddler happy during a photo session

Toddlers…that age of pure adorableness and chaos wrapped into one pretty package. These little ones are some of my favorite subjects, even if they can be challenging to photograph at times. I love to photograph them because they are so real. They don’t hide their emotions. I can’t get enough of how authentic and true they are in front of the camera. This makes my job of capturing emotion-filled moments so easy! But this age can come with its own set of challenges.

When I’m photographing these little ones, I always tell parents they will the boss of the session and we are just along for the ride. But there are things we can do to help persuade them into doing what we want.

Prepare Them

Depending on their age, be sure to talk to them about the photo session. Tell them they will be meeting a new friend (me!) who will be taking photos of them, you, and everyone else in their family. Ask them if there are any special photos they want to take or if they want to bring anything along to include in the photos. Toddlers thrive off choices and giving them a few approved ones can really help them feel part of the whole process.

Feed Them

Seems obvious right? I know my kids get hangry when craving something to fill their tummies and that means I better not be trying to take a photo of them when I should be feeding them.

I always suggest that parents give their children a full meal before their session so we can be sure that those hangry vibes don’t come up the hour we are together. It’s also a great idea to bring along a photo-friendly snack (think anything that won’t stain lips or clothing if spilled) if your little one needs a short break.

Let’s Play a Game

Toddlers spend so much of their time at play and choosing a few games we can play together that will also photograph well helps the whole session process run smoother. We can chase them, swing them, dance together, and so much more. Making the experience fun for them will make it so much better for everyone!

Take a Break

You know your child better than me and if you feel like they may be hitting a breaking point, then please let them take a break. Usually, this is a great time in the session for some extra cuddles that I can capture (at a distance) or I can photograph other family members. Most of the time, your little one will come back on their own once they see that we are still having fun and they will want to join back in.

And if your child is having a hard moment, please don’t shy away from me capturing that too. There is beauty to be found in the moments that aren’t traditionally “happy” ones.

I hope these tips will help you prepare your toddlers for your next photo session! Did I leave anything out? Let me know below.

Do you want similar images of your family? Contact Cynthia today to reserve your preferred session date!