Toddler Photography Ideas

Whether you want to capture your own child's unique qualities during the toddler years or you're putting together a toddler photo shoot for a client, there's one thing you should keep in mind before you get excited about any toddler photo ideas you find. K.I.S.S. (Which I prefer to refer to as "Keep it simple, Smartie." Stupid is such a mean word.)

Toddlers are very active and curious. They want to explore. They want to assert their independence. They don't want to sit. They don't want to pose. They want to play and run and play some more. I think about the Toddler Time groups I used to do and whether I could realistically expect one of those tots to do a pose before I worry about setting it up.

Toddlers are too active to simply pose in a chair as you would an older child, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to get some adorable poses. Here are a few ways to get some cute toddler photos. Just remember to have your camera ready!

• Set up a ride on car. Toddlers love to climb on and off.
• Set up a "play house" or "cave" made from a big box and shoot while the toddler is playing inside it. (Look at light boxes for ideas on how to modify it to be camera friendly.)
  
• Make a ball pit area. (Use very soft balls or you may end up with some broken lenses!) You can often get some cute shots of little guys tossing balls and laughing.
• Get parents involved. Shots where a toddler is dancing on Daddy's toes or laughing as he is riding the "horsey" can be adorable.
  

Little girls like to play and run just as much as little boys, but photos of them doing girly things usually are the ones that make people say, "Awww!" Here are a few prop ideas that should get that toddler to hold still for a few precious seconds:

• Miniature rocking chair - You're going to really have to shoot fast to get this shot.
  
• Little vanity - A child size vanity and a few little props like some large costume jewelry beads can help you get the perfect shot.
• Dress up clothes - Dressing up in ladies' shoes or a boa might be something little toddlers have done for generations, but to that child's mother, the shot is priceless.
• Bubbles - Set up a bubble machine or get an assistant to blow bubbles for some great action shots.
• Hugs - A hug with Mom or Dad can definitely make a very nice toddler photo.