How to get natural expressions from kids | Boston Photographer

Nothing compares to a genuine, heartfelt smile from your kids. Throughout the years I have discovered some of the best ways to get authentic emotions out of kids, and I’ll let you in on my secrets. It’s not as difficult as you think, just get ready to be a little goofy!

I absolutely love working with kids. They typically don’t fake how they feel, especially the younger ones, and kids tend to wear their expressions very honestly; creating a light-hearted atmosphere can give you the genuine look you want. When I’m on a shoot, I am always ready for those candid shots to capture them in their natural setting. 

Try kissing them. Babies and toddlers can be the most unpredictable, as one moment they may be laughing then the next it's like a little rain cloud is over them. But one of my favorite ways to bring joy to their faces is having mom, dad, brother, sister, you fill in the blank here, kiss different body parts. Their eyes, nose, fingers-try it all! 

Another safe option to melt those serious expressions is Peek-a-boo. You’ve got to love a classic. This one works best on kids under the age of 2.

Here comes the tickle monster! If you know your child is ticklish this can be a great secret weapon to turn any frowns or discomfort into a toothy grin. 

Toss your child up in the air! (safely)

Who doesn’t love a good dance party and sing along? Dancing can help a child relax and get out any jitters. Young ones love songs, so bonus if you sing in a silly voice. For upset babies, try putting on their favorite song to see if that can crack a smile or at least change the mood.

Make everything a game. See who can jump the highest, or if they can pop out from behind a nearby prop on the count of 3. Play Simon Says-but add an accent! Or tell them to hold a serious face and keep it as long as they can.

Break out the jokes! (Yes, even dad jokes) This one can work on both younger and older children. Maybe it’s a knock-knock joke, or a family inside joke. Perhaps you might even use some bathroom humor for the younger ones-whatever gets them cheesing!

Connection is key for older kids. Teenagers will whip out their phones if they have the chance. Ask them if they have any photo requests so they feel more invested. Find out their interests by taking some time to chat.

Make a funny sound. I tend to use this one for babies and younger children to grab their attention, but you can also make an older kid laugh this way as well.

Take. Breaks. Period. An hour can be a long time for any kid (and parents too if we’re being real here). If anyone needs a break, we take it. Taking 5 quiet mins in exchange for a happy 10 mins is always ok with me. .

Next time try one of these tactics to get a real smile, sometimes it just takes a little trial and error.

Boston Portrait Photography | Romantic Portraits along Back Bay and the Charles

I received an inquiry from Shohreh who wanted to have a portrait session with her husband, Kayhan to celebrate their 10 year anniversary. They will only be in Boston for a few years and really wanted to capture the beauty and history of the city. I was thrilled about this for a lot of reasons, but my top two are:

1.     How many people have a 10 year anniversary portrait session!? Not nearly enough! They are going to look back at this album another 10 years from now and remember every step of this romantic walk in a city they lived in for a few years of their lives.

2.     I am so consumed by constantly searching for locations, that I often easily forget how amazing my Back Bay/South End neighborhood is for a backdrop. I refuse to move for a reason… I am in LOVE with this neighborhood, the brownstones, the winding streets, the uneven brick sidewalk, and especially the different colored doors and walls.

Shohreh and Kayhan sent me their ideas and clearly explained what they wanted to capture, including closeups, candids, brownstones, cobblestone, nature, city, sun flare, and historical elements. It sounds like a lot to deliver, but knowing what they imagined was amazingly helpful when planning our two mile route through the best parts of Boston’s Back Bay and Beacon Hill.

We walked down Commonwealth Ave and Marlborough Street (an essential Back Bay brownstone walk), stopping on some doorsteps, then cut through the public garden and through some great side streets in Beacon Hill before landing in Acorn Alley for a few shots.

At this point the sun was fading, so we headed over to the Charles River and ducked into the cherry blossom trees just in time to capture (my personal favorite) some gorgeous dreamy images of them snuggling together as the sun set behind them. So sweet.