Photography of a 2 yr old

[adalay]

Hey guys! My first post here.. I have two daughters, one is 6 and loves to pose and ham it up for the camera.. The other is 2 with all the stubbornness of a hormonal teenage girl.. She is stubborn and stubborn and stubborn.. I think I am painting the picture of her accurately.. I can't get her to sit, stand, wait, let alone smile.. Any suggestions? I've followed her around and snapped but I don't get that portrait I am looking for.. Maybe I need a new toddler? Haha

thanks in advance for any advice..

ashlee

here is my site http://adalay.smugmug.com
I have pictures of her there, if you are bored an want to look.. I haven't figured out posting pictures on here yet..

[private]

What I do with the toddlers I photograph, is let them have some "control" I ask them to come up with two poses and I get to pick one. And then I tell them to make a funny face. And then an Ugly Face (very rarely do they do that - they just smile and laugh and think I am crazy. Also, I am not sure how verbal your toddler is BUT Potty Talk does have its place...

[teilhet]

I have the hardest time getting pictures of my 2 year old...especially posed pictures. So, it's not an isolated problem you have. I've kind of given up on posed and just hope for some really great candids.

[ttosifa]

Another useful technique I've used with my daughter is to have everything set up in advance. I have a stool that is the same height she is. The stool is her. During her nap, I set up the theme of the shot, get the lights in place, and get the camera focused and the exposure right. When she wakes up, I remove the stool, and plop her into place.

It is also useful to have something different and fun about the shot. For example, in a recent shoot I had her stand on an old end table so she would be taller. She thought that was cool, and it made her want to participate all the more.

[adalay]

she is VERY vocal.. with the " no I don't want my picture" I will try to set up the shot and see where that gets me.. I have some awesome candids, but I (being the crazy mom that I am) want one pose.. Nothing exciting.. Just one! Now, if I could get my husband in a picture.. Life would be grand.. Thanks for the suggestions!!