Photography Question????!!!!

This may be the dumbest question on earth, but..........

How do you keep a child from blinking in EVERY picture that requires a flash???? It's to the point where I haven't snapped pictures because I get frustrated and my 4 yo senses it for sure!!!

I feel so bad because it's not her fault, but she always looks drunk!!!! And she's photogenic (if I do say so myself), so it makes it that much harder to swallow.....

Please help with ANY advice (if there is any).

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Photography Question????!!!!

Do you have an SLR or a point and shoot?

ETA: oops.. sorry type "enter" too fast.

My wedding photographer gave me a trick for this. Have her close her eyes! Tell her that at "3" when you count 1,2,3 she will open her eyes. You would have already slightly pressed down the release and just press down when you say 3 and she opens her eyes.

Message edited 2/3/2009 7:58:28 AM.

Re: Photography Question????!!!!

Can you have more lights on in the room? I often take a lamp and shine it by DC. If it's bright enough, you don't need a flash (just make sure the lights aren't causing harsh shadows).

Re: Photography Question????!!!!

Turn off the red eye reduction function on your camera. In this day and age of digital photography RED EYE is very easy to fix.....the function doesnt really work all that well to begin with.

Re: Photography Question????!!!!

I usually do a 1...2...3...Open! for blinkers.

If she's only blinking when the flash goes off, try a room with more light so you don't have to use the flash. You could also get an external flash & point it toward the ceiling.