My Top 7 Secrets to Get Babies and Kiddos to Smile for the Camera

As a parent, there are things about your kids that you just want to hang on to forever. The chubby cheeks, the tousled hair, and of course—the toothy grins!

If you’ve tried to take photos at home, you probably also know that those genuine smiles can be pretty elusive once the camera comes out. Don’t worry—with years of experience photographing littles and families, I’ve learned a few things, and I’m here for you! Whether you’re taking snapshots at home or coming to my New Jersey photo studio, here are my top 7 secrets to get babies and kiddos to smile (for real) at the camera.

1. Relax and Enjoy

Nobody feels like smiling when they’re tense! Young kids usually pick up their parents’ cues to guide them on how to react to a new situation. So if you’re smiling, laughing, and having fun, they’re much more likely to do the same. I make this really easy at my studio by having a laidback vibe and just chatting for a few minutes before the session so we can relax and get to know each other. It’s just like hanging out with friends!

2. Bring Out the Toys

I have a few toys at my studio, but you’re also welcome to bring some from home. Sometimes just playing for a few minutes can help little ones to settle and feel comfortable enough to really start enjoying themselves.

3. Music and Dancing

Most kids love music—and so do I! I’m happy to play your kiddo’s favorite songs (I remember one child who loved Baby Shark Dance—we played that so many times), sing with them, or break out some dance moves. Whatever it takes to make our photoshoot feel like a party!

4. Play Games

Babies and young kiddos also love games. Let me know if your child has any favorites, like Peek-a-Boo, Patty Cake, or Simon Says. We can absolutely incorporate those into our photo session to help everyone relax and giggle.

Little boy holding his baby sister and smiling

5. Be Silly

I have kind of a goofy personality anyway, so I have no problem being silly! If funny faces, crazy noises, or ridiculous jokes tickle your child’s sense of humor, we’re going to have a lot of fun!

6. Be Observant

You never know what will make kids smile. I like to always be ready with my camera so I can capture unexpected grins, but I also like to pay attention throughout the shoot and notice if they seem amused by something. Sometimes an ordinary word or phrase will strike toddlers as very funny, and when that happens I jump on it and use it to bring out those natural smiles.

Two little boys lying on a white rug next to their baby sister and grinning happily

7. Use Reverse Psychology

Every parent knows this one, right? If your kiddo is at the age when they want to assert their independence and ‘no’ is their favorite word, then a little bit of reverse psychology might just do the trick. Most kids can’t keep a straight face for long—especially if you’re telling them very seriously, “Now, whatever you do, don’t smile.”

Ready for Genuine Smiles in Your Photos?

I would love to show you just how fun, relaxed, and natural a photography session can be! Get in touch and let’s schedule a time to hang out at my studio. I’ll capture those precious moments of babyhood and childhood so you can treasure those sweet smiles for always. I can’t wait!

 

Child and Family Photography Sessions with Jennifer Parrello Photography

Child and family photography sessions are so important! And every age and stage is precious. Some people tend to save professional photography for big events, like holidays, birthdays, or weddings. But what about all the moments in between?

I’m a big believer in the idea that moments are fleeting and memories need to be captured along the way. And I don’t know of any better way to do that than with a family photo session!

While newborn and cake smash sessions usually take place in the studio, there’s a little more flexibility when working with groups and with kiddos who are past the infancy stage. So, while we can certainly do your family pictures in the studio, we also have the option to enjoy the great outdoors! I like to schedule outdoor family shoots for an hour or two before sunset so we can get the best light possible.

Mother kissing son as an example of child and family photography sessions with Jennifer Parrello Photography

If you’re wondering what constitutes a child or family photography session, a lot of that is up to you. I can capture portraits of just one child, do a mommy-and-me session, your immediate family, or a big extended family session. All will take about the same amount of time (usually around an hour), and will provide you with beautiful images! I offer multiple collections so you can choose the best fit for your family.

Above all, I want your child and family photography sessions to be fun! Your session should be a great memory in and of itself, so I’ll make it genuine and real so your portraits reflect how truly unique and beautiful your family is!

If you’d like to learn more about extended family photo sessions, find out why mommy-and-me sessions are so great, or need to help deciding what to wear for your family pictures, I’ve got you covered! And of course, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out! Can’t wait to hear from you!

Custom Stars and Light Cake Smash | Northern NJ Photographer

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is getting ready for a fun-filled holiday season! It may look a little different for a lot of us this year, but as long as we have the love of family we have a reason to celebrate!

Birthday Cake Smash

I did this birthday cake smash photoshoot back in October, when the weather was just starting to turn chilly. All of my cake smash sessions are fully customized, so I always ask parents what kind of a look they’re going for and if there’s a particular theme they want. Mom told me that baby girl’s name means “light,” so she thought it would be fun to play on that theme. What a great idea! I filled the studio with twinkle lights in preparation for their session. Also used light-up star props and lots of white to reflect the light and give our photos some sparkle. It turned out just like we were hoping.  

New Jersey cake smash photographer

Although we spent most of our time in my New Jersey photography studio, we also did a few outdoor shots with baby and her parents. Including parent photos in your baby photography session is a great add-on! Lots of people book that add-on when they schedule their child’s photoshoot. It’s the perfect way to document the big one-year milestone. Plus, you get updated, professional family pictures at the same time. Win-win!

Northern New Jersey baby and child cake smash photographer, baby girl stars and twinkle lights

Book a Photo Session

This has been quite the year, and that’s all the more reason to document how your family is growing and thriving throughout it. Professional portraiture is the perfect way to hold on to precious memories forever. So if you want to document a major milestone, create beautiful family photos, or record the newborn sweetness of a brand new little one, I hope you’ll contact me! In the meantime, I hope your holiday season is just as merry and bright as this beautiful birthday session!

Oldie but goodie! Baby girl session in November @ Skylands Manor!

This is totally an oldie but goodie!  We are swamped with snow here, so I figured I would post some warm weather photos in hopes it will bring nice weather soon!  A girl can only hope.  HAHAH!!!