Need stubborn toddler picture advice

I am dreading doing DS' Christmas card pic but I have to get cracking. I got his 2 years pic done a few weeks ago and it took 20 minutes for him to calm down and stop crying and even then he wasn't exactly cooperative. So instead of going through that again I'm thinking I will just take the Christmas card pic. Last year I sat him in front on my parents gas fireplace and it was very cute but it would be lame to do that again right? This year I have no idea what to do because he's so difficult with pictures right now. He yells "NO!" when you come near him with the camera.

Do I just dress him up and take him outside and try to capture something random? Do I take him somewhere like a store that I could have a Christmas themed background even though chances are he won't stand still? Or do I just go order his 2yr pic (in which he's wear a completely casual outfit) and be done with it?

Any tips or suggestions? Sorry for my rambling on but I'm dreading this and don't know where to start.

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

perfect idea, and i use it often with younger sibling shots (siblings 3 and 1 or something like that where it is hard to get them together on a backdrop) or with the kid that wont sit still (had a 13 month old on the GO GO GO the other day!)

what did i do and have handy?

hello holiday lollipops!!!!

works everytime!!!!

what does the card say?

hope you have a sweet holiday season....a sweet christmas...etc etc



hope this helps!

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

Sounds like your best bet is to take him outside and try to catch some random shots. Make loud obnoxious noises to get him to look at the camera; tell him you're falling over, ask him if a bug landed on your head.

I do all of these QUITE often for a pic

I'm planning on taking DD outside for her pics in the next few days. NOW, will I catch a smile?? I'm hoping

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

I would think taking a toddler to a store & trying to get him to stand still for a photo would be a nightmare.

I would take him to a wooded place when he's at his best & give it a try there otherwise find some evergreeens & plop him down. If he's in a really cooperative mood, you can get a huge wreath & have him stick his head through it

I've also tied my son up in lights when he was being particularly annoying to his sister during their photos.

I'd also suggest having TWO people there. One with the camera, the other to wrangle & make the child laugh. Someone who knows how to photograph a child can usually get them to look directly into the camera. Even peek a boo works. If all else fails, you'll get a good shot of dc looking up at his/her mom.

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

OMG you guys are brilliant! He is currently OBSESSED with lollipops so I KNOW that will work and he thinks its hilarious if I fall down so that will get him to laugh. Thank you ladies!

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

Posted by nrthshgrl

I would think taking a toddler to a store & trying to get him to stand still for a photo would be a nightmare.

I would take him to a wooded place when he's at his best & give it a try there otherwise find some evergreeens & plop him down. If he's in a really cooperative mood, you can get a huge wreath & have him stick his head through it

I've also tied my son up in lights when he was being particularly annoying to his sister during their photos.

I'd also suggest having TWO people there. One with the camera, the other to wrangle & make the child laugh. Someone who knows how to photograph a child can usually get them to look directly into the camera. Even peek a boo works. If all else fails, you'll get a good shot of dc looking up at his/her mom.

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

Posted by sumlynmad

perfect idea, and i use it often with younger sibling shots (siblings 3 and 1 or something like that where it is hard to get them together on a backdrop) or with the kid that wont sit still (had a 13 month old on the GO GO GO the other day!)

what did i do and have handy?

hello holiday lollipops!!!!

works everytime!!!!

what does the card say?

hope you have a sweet holiday season....a sweet christmas...etc etc



hope this helps!

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

Last year I asked the same exact question and some suggested I wrap a big box (I used a plastic clothing bin) and make a game of having DS jump out of the box. It worked amazingly. I did one with the box infront of the christmas tree and one with the box infront of a white wall. Add a santa hat or reindeer ears if you dc will wear something like that.

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

We did the wrapped box thing with my DS popping out ...Looked adorable and I really caught a genuine smile

Re: Need stubborn toddler picture advice

I haven't tried this but a photographer friend gave me this piece of advice.

Trap them somewhere it will take a minute or 2 for them to get out.

Meaning . . . . sit them on a high stool/chair they can't jump off of.

lay them on your kitchen table (with nice fabric underneath

Stick them in the gift box

Sit them on a log outside.

you get the idea.

It will give you 30 seconds to take a pic.

And absolutely have someone else there to make them laugh and make sure they don't get hurt or fall off of whereever you placed them!