How to Get Kids to Sit Still for a Photograph

Getting kids to sit still for anything, nevertheless a photograph that they usually won’t want to take, is no easy task. Many kids, when faced with the idea of having their picture taken in a posed photograph, will automatically try to run, they’ll fidget, they won’t look at the camera and basically be interested in anything else but looking where they’re supposed to be looking. While it may not be easy to get a kid to sit still long enough to get a good picture taken, it is possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

How to Get Kids to Sit Still for a Photograph

1. Don’t let the photograph be so formal that the kid becomes uncomfortable. If they want to take a picture with their favorite teddy bear, then let them take it with them in the picture. The photograph is supposed to be a memory of how they were at exactly that age. If their teddy bear is that important to them at that age and they consider it part of who they are, then there is no reason why it shouldn’t be in the picture. Consider it a formal picture mixed with a bit of informal. Plus, if they have their favorite item with them they are less likely to be distracted or fidgety.
2. Making faces at kids in order to get them to take a picture can work wonders. Kids respond to funny faces and as long as they don’t start making funny faces back at you and mimic you, then the picture could come out with the child having a beautiful smile or laughing in the picture.
3. Have some type of noise on hand that tends to quite the child down or easily catches the child’s attention. Many kids respond to music, so having some music start up as soon as the photograph is ready to be taken could catch the kids attention just enough that a great photograph could be shot.
4. Don’t put the kid in uncomfortable clothing that they will be fidgety in for the photograph. When kids get uncomfortable in clothing, they will be trying to take it off or move around so that they can get more comfortable in it. Especially avoid clothing that is somewhat tight around the child’s neck, such as a button down shirt that is buttoned all the way to the top.
5. Avoid having too many people around when the child is getting their picture taken. The more people there are, the more people the child has to be distracted by. Just have the basic people such as the photographer, an assistant, yourself and one other person at the most.