Tips for Sessions with 18 month-3 Year Old Kids | Salt Lake Family Photographer
I have been a photographer for several years and let me just say I am constantly humbled by this age range. LOL. Honestly, disgruntled teenagers seem easier to convince to participate in family pictures over certain toddlers. I don’t want that to leave you thinking you can’t book a session for 4 years until your kids are out of this age range. This age can be challenging because there is still so much development going on, there can be speech delays, impulsive behaviors, the shortest of attention spans, and want all eyes on them yet all the space from a new face. I have plenty of experience in my time as a family photographer and happy to share if your a parent of child this age or a photographer working with this age group often. All these pictures you’ll see in this post I have done and hopefully this shows you how much fun you can have with this age group and get great results.
Throw out all expectations.
You cannot be a photographer or a parent coming to a session and having a play by play of how everything is going to go down for the next hour. Sure you hope things will go a certain direction, but if a toddler starts crying, or “protesting” what the photographer is asking, or showing disinterest in getting pictures done you cannot start taking your frustrations out on this kid. Toddlers at this age you can’t necessarily coach on what is about to happen with a photoshoot, so please give these little ones grace as they are likely in a new place, in clothes more dressy than they are used to and possibly up later than they are used to to try and accommodate the best lighting for your session. Give these little ones some grace.
2. Expect your session to cater to this age group.
Its hard to say if your session will feel incredibly fast paced just trying to keep up with these little ones or if you’ll be taking in the smell of the wild flowers and giving your child time to warm up to your photographer. Either way, follow their cues. If they want to be running down the trails, then have fun chasing them or have your arms open wide for a hug on their return trip back. If they want to snuggle in your lap and wait a bit til moving to another location, that can absolutely work as well. As your photographer I have no agenda when I show up to a session so take the pressure off of yourself and your child and just be present with them.
3. Set a timer
Either you or have your photographer set a timer for how long you have. I show the kids I’m setting one and tell them that when we are done I have some treats for them. Usually this helps motivate them to listen to me and even if we can’t make it then entire time before we bust out some smarties, I think this helps them know I am aware of their time and going to make the next little while fun for them.
4. Hone in on what they want
If that is space, let them run wild and document it. If they want to stay close to parents, document them hugging a parent’s leg. If they want to throw rocks into a river have a parent nearby helping them. Throw the leaves in the air, let them draw in the dirt with sticks, pick flowers with them. Nothing is dumb or stupid if it seems exciting to them. Unless it’s dangerous, lean into what they want. I find if you show them that playing and having fun is ok then they will be so much happier as a result and the pictures will reflect that.
5. Please remember to have fun.
Kids at this age are still learning even how to smile. The easiest way to get great genuine smiles out of them is to play and have fun with them. Tickle, chase, hug, show love to them, peek a boo. Whatever makes your kids typically laugh is when you need to crank it up a few notches and do during your photoshoot. I want you to get your photos back and to feel so extremely happy with them because you showed up as your best parenting self that day and loved their kids.
Just know that if you are a parent to a child this age that you absolutely can get great pictures out of a session. If you are interested in booking please reach out! I would love to work with you!