How to get 2 year old to sit still for pictures?

[DD2Disney]

We took DS (2) to Sears today for Christmas pictures. It was a pretty BAD experience (not Sears fault). DS was just going bonkers wanting to play with all the props, but of course he would'nt play with them where we could take a picture. We ended up only getting 3 poses taken and I only bought one and unfortunately he is not smiling in it (but it is cute). Am I not going to get good pictures until he is older??? What are some tricks I could have used??

 

[ASFCurly]

My kids at work love the camera, so everytime you try to take a pic, they rush the camera, I don't know about playing with the props, but if they are either scared or too interested in the camera, something you could do is take an old camera with no film (or take the film out of the current one) and take pics of them often (not real pics, so you aren't wasting film) just having the flash go off, so they get used to having a picture taken.

 

[poohandwendy]

It pays to go to a professional photographer when the kids are really young,IMO. They tend to be better equipped to capture the attention (and get the best photos) of even the squirmiest kids.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

We just took DD to Sears last Tuesday. She is known for refusing to smile at the camera! So for a few days before we were practicing smiling. Well, when we asked her to smile for her pictures she puckered her lips and squinted her eyes! It was funny, but not the picture I wanted for Christmas cards. Plus they happened to have a rocking horse right next to the place she was supposed to be sitting. All she wanted to do was play on it!

Finally, after 2 ok pictures with no smile, the lady said I am going to have the (stuffed) frog kiss Daddy! And that did the trick! The next 4 pictures turned out great. You can see her deep dimples and everything.

I just say try everything silly you can think of. Maybe have them move some props out of eye sight.

 

[KathyFP]

We have always had a good experience with Sears.

When DD was 2, we ended up going twice. We only got one good pic the first time. We went back a second time and she was great. I think that she was then somewhat familiar with the setting.

 

[Pin Wizard]

DS was 2.5 years old when I had his Christmas pictures done at JC Penney. I made sure he was well rested...napped...beforehand. And they kept him entertained with a stuffed animal to get the smile.

 

[CEDmom]

After some bad experiences at those photo places I starting taking DD's holiday pictures and have for a few years now. I use holiday decorations as props along with things around the house. DD doesn't like having her picture taken but she's very cooperative with me. Last year I had her sit on her tricycle and filled the little basket in the back with ornaments. This year I had her hold a holiday snow globe.

 

[vald1977]

Sorry no advice but just wanted to say I can totally relate as ds was the same way at two. We did end up with a great photo session that year and I totally credit the photographer who was excellent. It's funny to look at the pictures and remember all the squirming and whining that went on in between them .

 

[Serena]

I think it all has to do with timing. lol

 

[DD2Disney]

Thank you for all the good advice! Luckily we did get the one good pose. I think I will try to take some myself with the Christmas background like CEDmom suggested. I have a really good camera that just gets wasted in the closet. Thanks for the help.

 

[whirlsy]

Bubbles always worked for me~ also going to a place that you actually have an appointment is a must. I see some of these parents sitting in a line waiting for their turn to get the perfect picture and the kids are already burnt out from just waiting. I swear that the kids play off your emotions if they know you are anxious about this they are going to act up. I take my own christmas card photos also that way I have my own props and none of those tacky props they have there.

 

[browneyes]

Pray. All my dd needed to sit still at that age was to see the camera. She's always been a camera princess. My ds was a different story. I don't know how we were able to get him to sit still.

 

[Kallison]

A good professional photographer can get the kids to sit still. I personally don't qualify Sears as a good photographer. It shouldn't be your job to get the good shot, that is their job. However one of the cutest pictures is on my niece pointing up at bubbles that were being blown around her. My Mom has one year old portraits of all the grandchildren (7) and we always tease her about being the only one who couldn't behave and sit still.

 

[shelleyz]

My 2 year old DS is awful when its picture time. We also go to Sears even though sometimes I wish I didn't. They always have a new photographer working. Sometimes I think I could take a better picture. We have a proof sheet and theres a pic of him crying. I'm going to show it to him when hes older. lol

 

[Mishetta]

There is no magical tip, is there??

We just had our 8 y/o DS & 2 y/o DS's photo taken at a photography studio at the mall (which is like a Sears or Penny's photo studio). What a nightmare experience it was! By the time we left, I was sweating & my DH wanted to choke the little guy!! (It's a good thing he's so darned cute!!)

They took about 8 diff shots & we get 3 decent ones but let me tell you...it was a nightmare!! I was blowing the bubbles, the photographer was waving a feather duster type thing at my 2 y/o & my DH was laying on the floor tossing a Christmas hat up & down & smiling & waving like mad. Actually, I wish someone had video taped that session as we were all hysterical to watch, I'm sure!! Did any of that impress my DS?? NO!!

The photographer said that we could return next week one night to re-shoot but my DH & I looked at her as if she had 3 heads! No way!! That was it for us this year!!

Good luck in getting the perfect shot of your DS!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Some of you may not agree with me. I used bribery. If you'll smile and sit still then we'll . . .

Choose something that he loves to do. Go for ice cream or go to McDonalds or whatever appeals to him. I always figured that if they did something that they hated for me, it was only fair that I would do something that they liked in return. BUT if he doesn't behave for you, then don't go.

 

[BabyTigger99]

I have survived 7 years as a photographer for Sears (it's my part-time "fun" job. I can't bear to leave!! Plus, the employee discount is great!!). From about 18 months of age to 3 years can be a difficult time to take a child's picture. It's just the age. I even had troubles with my son when he was 2. Make sure your child is wearing something they are comfortable in is key. It doesn't matter how cute the outfit is, or how nice it looks, if they are wearing something that is not comfortable, it is very hard to get a nice picture (I once had parents that were tying Christmas ribbons like you wrap presents with around their 3 month old daughter's head, and they wondered why she was screaming the whole time!). I always tell people to make appointments, but then again, you can never guarantee an appointment. Equipment breaks (especially with all the use at Christmas, and the wait time for calling tech support is tremendous!), and we run on "baby time". We do our best to run on schedule, but it doesn't always happen. I do recommend for appointments either a late morning/early afternoon on a weekday, or right away in the morning. If you are comcerned about the experience of the photographer, which is a normal concern (I really feel sorry for anyone's pictures I took my first Christmas), when you make the appointment, tell them that you want an experienced photographer to take your child's pictures. We always note that on our appointment sheet. Another recommendation is if you have a good experience, ask the photographer their name, and request them next time. My last recommendation is know your child's limits. If they just aren't going to do it, reschedule!! Everyone will be much happier!!!

 

[DisneyJules]

I use to work at Sears, actually just recently, as a photographer. There are times where it's just not going to work no matter what you do! Try and distract him something, I know it's tough with there being so many toys in the room. Some people do take what they can get and end up taking them when they're a tad older.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Kallison
A good professional photographer can get the kids to sit still. I personally don't qualify Sears as a good photographer. It shouldn't be your job to get the good shot, that is their job. However one of the cutest pictures is on my niece pointing up at bubbles that were being blown around her. My Mom has one year old portraits of all the grandchildren (7) and we always tease her about being the only one who couldn't behave and sit still.

not all good photographers can get children to sit still,..just as being able to get a child to sit still doesn't make a person a good photographer, they are 2 totally different skills......

children are all different and what works for one doesn't work for another,,

I am a photographer and I do great child photography, mainly because I was A Daddy first and have always been good with children, even as a pre-teen and teenager..I'm one of those people that children are drawn to, for whatever reason...

on the other hand I have a friend who does the most beautiful wedding photography, but isn't good with children .....

and although I have never worked for Sears, I must defend them, they have some great photographers and some not so great.. it is unfair to stereotype them, as all being bad...

 

[MICKEY88]

the easiest way to get a 2 year old to sit is to do it yourself,,I personally prefer a relaxed photo that captures the spirit of a child rather than a posed formal shot,,I have both of my daughter, who is now 22, and the ones I look at most are the candid shots that bring back memories of things she did, rather than a posed shot in some new outfit....

here's a shot I took of my 2 yr old niece last Thursday night, when I was babysitting my 2 nieces...I was having so much fun watching her play and explore in my house that I grabbed the camera and started shooting..

it also makes for a better picture if you include a Disney character...LOL