I think we’ve all experienced our kids smiling for a camera, but we know that’s not their REAL smile. It’s weirdly forced, or super goofy, or they aren’t showing their teeth, or they are when we don’t want them to. Sometimes we step in and direct their smile. But it’s still not quite right. And they definitely don’t give us any more time to try it over and over.

It’s a struggle sometimes.

But I have a super awesome and easy way to get their real smile showing through in photos so when you look through the family photo album, you see them.

Like, really them. Their personalities, their sparkly eyes, their zest for life.

What you do is photograph them doing something they love!!! Boom! There you go!

Don’t make them stand in stiff clothes, looking at a black circle on the back of your phone or into a glass lens of your camera and direct them into the perfect smile.

You wouldn’t want to be in that situation, believe me, neither do they.

Next time, try talking to them, asking them questions about things they love and shoot through the conversation. Or get them engaged in an activity and photograph their face as it lights up. Or find ways to make them giggle.

Laughs make the best smiles. Capture their joy, not their smile.

The more fun and laid back you are with taking their picture, the more they will want to do it (or at least not fight you as much).

Kinda longish backstory you don’t have to read…

I discovered this as I was a portrait photographer, trying to direct children into a perfect smile with the parents back seat driving the session the whole way. I would think they looked great showing their teeth, but the parents despised that smile. Eventually, I learned to sneak the kids 20 yards away, out of sight of mom and dad and talk to them and get to know them. I’d tell them that these pictures would be a surprise for their parents and even let them see the previews on the back of my camera.

They loved being part of the surprise and felt special getting their own spotlight.

Documentary photography is my passion now and guys, smiles come so naturally from kids. I don’t direct, pose or suggest anything during a shoot and I let them show me their room, or show off a little, and then they get into their typical groove at home.

Kids smile a lot when they are around those they love and that love them.

And when they have the freedom to do their own thing and be their own person with no judgement or criticism.

Want your kid to be looking at a glass lens of a camera instead of your phone? This post has all my beginning camera recommendations.

Want to learn how to take better pictures of your kids with your DSLR camera? Take my workshop, online or in Boise!

Want family pictures to just be easy? Here are my 3 easy steps.