How to take natural photos of your kids without them noticing, so that you can let their personality shine and remember the moment just the way it really is.

Does this sound familiar? Your kid is doing something unbelievably cute and you reach for your phone to take their picture. Immediately, their head swivels and you either get that crazy grin - all teeth and eyes wandering off to the side, or a scowl and “No pictures!”

Yeah.

Me too.

But wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to actually capture that moment just the way you see it? Here are a few tips that will help. 

1. Stay normal.

2. Take pictures of something else.

3. Wait it out.

4. Redirect.

5. And, stop asking for the smiles (trust me on this, I know it’s hard!)

Let’s go through the scenario again.

You notice your kid doing something incredibly cute. Without making a big deal about it, pick up your phone (they are used to you doing that, modern parenting, eh?) and pretend to read a message, or check on Instagram. More than likely, your child will go back to what they were doing.

Great! 

Now you can take a picture. 

Don’t Worry! You’ve got a couple of tricks up your sleeve. Simply point the phone elsewhere, and click away, ignoring the little darling. Just don’t act “caught”, they can smell a trick a mile away. You can say, “Isn’t the rain on the window pretty, dripping down so slowly?” Or, “I just love the way the flowers on the table look.” Or even, “I told Aunty Sarah that I’d take a picture of this book so she could remember the name of it.”

And wait it out.

Chances are, they’ll go back to whatever it was they are doing. And if they don’t… help them along. Just a little redirection.

And last, but not least. And it’s the hardest one… Stop asking for the smile. I know, I know… I love a happy, smiley grin as much as the next mama. And there are times when we really do need to stop and look at the camera and smile. It’s ok! But the less you ask for it, the more often you’ll get pictures of their real personalities, the expressions that are little windows into who they are. If you are anything like me, I want to remember all the looks, the silly faces they pull, the quiet concentration, the crazy bubble catching.

I want it all.

And the best way to get that is to save the “smile for the picture” for only those rare times when it’s really really needed. These are some of my favourite pictures from this last month. And the only way I was able to get them is by following my tips. And the fact that I have a camera in my hand all day long helps too.

If you love these real, honest, crazy, sweet, but definitely not posed or perfect pictures… then you and me, we’re on the same page. I’d love to take photos just like this for you and your family. Because it’s the every day that is already perfect.

For more about my approach to family photo sessions check out my Session Info or Contact Me and we can chat!

Marie O'Mahony is a documentary family photographer living in Co Clare, Ireland but happy to travel all over Ireland. She specialises in natural, real-life maternity, newborn, and family photo sessions. Check out more of her work on www.marieomahony.com.