Say Cheese and Make Them Laugh: The Ultimate Guide to Capturing Joyful Family Photos

Discover the secrets to capturing authentic and joyful family photos with these fun and engaging tips for making kids laugh!

When it comes to family pictures, capturing a genuine smile from a child can make all the difference in the world. But let's face it, kids can be notoriously difficult to photograph, especially when they're not in the mood. As a parent, you want your family pictures to be a joyful representation of your family's bond and love, but how do you get those genuine smiles and giggles from your little ones?

The answer is simple: you need a wonderful professional photographer who knows how to make kids laugh. In this article, we'll explore some tried and true methods for getting your kids to break out in laughter, ensuring that your family pictures capture those cherished moments of pure joy and happiness. So, let's dive in and discover the secrets to a successful and fun family portrait session!

Laughter is like a secret ingredient that can turn an ordinary family photo into a masterpiece. It's the magic dust that transforms forced smiles into genuine, belly-aching laughs. And let's be real, when you look back at your family photos in 20 years, you want to see the joy, the love, and the ridiculousness that makes your family uniquely you. So, let's embrace the goofy faces, the silly jokes, and the random dance parties that make your kids laugh. Trust me, those are the moments that will make your family photos truly priceless!
 
Making kids laugh during a family portrait session is essential because, let's be honest, a photo of a grumpy child is about as appealing as a soggy sandwich. Laughter not only adds a little spice to the photo, but it also captures the true essence of your family's dynamic. It's like a secret sauce that makes your family's bond and love shine through the lens. Plus, when your kids are laughing, they're not fussing, picking their noses, or trying to run away - it's a win-win situation! So, let's break out the silly string, tell some dad jokes, and make some memories that will bring a smile to your face for years to come.

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How to make kids laugh for family photos

• Use props. Props can be anything from funny hats and glasses to silly toys and objects, such as bubble blowers or noise makers.
  

• Blow bubbles! Let the kids chase them, try blowing bubbles in different shapes and sizes, or sing a silly song while you do it (to distract them).
  

• Wear masks! Kids love wearing masks because they're usually very expressive of emotion--and therefore very funny!

Play Games

Games are a great way to break the ice and get everyone in the mood to have fun. You can play Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light or Peek-a-boo. If you have an old teddy bear lying around, this is a perfect time to bring it out (if not, borrow one from someone). The best kind of prop is something funny or unusual--like a giant balloon or even just using your hands as props!

The picture below was taken using the tickle game.

Let's Capture the Laughter!

Tell Jokes or Silly Stories

One of the best ways to get kids to smile is by telling them a funny story or joke. You can use your silly voice and try to come up with some knock-knock jokes that are appropriate for their age. If you don't have any good ideas, there are plenty of websites that offer suggestions for jokes that will make your child laugh out loud!

-Ask Questions You can also get kids to smile by asking them questions. Ask them about their day or what they did at school that day, then listen as they tell you all about it. You can also ask them how old they are or what grade they're in at school.

-Ask About Their Favorite Subject Kids love to talk about their favorite subjects and teachers. You can ask them what they like best about school and listen as they tell you all about it. If they have a teacher that's particularly good at teaching a certain subject, ask them about that too!

-Talk about What's Going to Happen Next It can be fun for kids to talk about what's going to happen next. You can ask them what they want for lunch or dinner, then try to guess what their answer will be. Or you could talk about the weekend plans and see if there are any surprises in store!

- Tell a funny story about their favorite friend at school.  Does that friend say or do funny things that make them laugh no matter what’s happening at school?

Tips for a successful family portrait session

1 - Schedule the photo session at the right time
There are no two ways about it: kids are creatures of habit, and they like to do things at their own pace. If you want them to be in a good mood for your family photo shoot, make sure that you schedule it during an activity they enjoy or when they're feeling energized and happy. For example, young children often get antsy or bored after being cooped up inside all day; so, if possible, try scheduling your session after lunch or on weekends instead of during school hours. Similarly, older children may have sports practices or games during which they're less likely than usual (but not necessarily) to cooperate with posing for pictures!

2 - Keep it short and sweet!
If possible, keep your portrait session short so as not to exhaust anyone's patience level too much--especially yours! It can also help if there's something fun planned afterward that everyone looks forward to such as going out together as a group after dinner where everyone feels more relaxed than earlier in day."

3 - Pack a distraction bag!
You can never be too prepared for a photo shoot. If possible, bring along some age-appropriate toys or books to keep kids' attention on something other than how long this is taking. Your local camera store should have plenty of options that work well for this purpose; just make sure you try them out before buying!

Conclusion

Are you ready to capture some priceless family moments filled with laughter and joy? Then it's time to put these fun and engaging tips to the test! From silly props to playful games, you can create a fun and memorable family portrait session that your kids will love. And, if you're ready to take your family photos to the next level, let's make it happen together! Whether you’re in Northern Virginia or Los Angeles, let’s create a fun together.

Contact Tamieka Smith Photography to schedule a fun and memorable family portrait session that you'll cherish for a lifetime. So, go ahead, let's get those giggles going and create some unforgettable family photos that will bring a smile to your face for years to come! Let's create some beautiful family memories together that you’ll turn into beautiful family artwork!

Let's Capture the Laughter!