The little ones running cracks me up.

These first 2 are probably among my most favorite photos from all of last year. They make me want to be a kid again hanging out with my best friend on the beach.

My oldest and youngest – so alike it’s scary.

Boys and mud. That’s all they need for hours of fun.

He’s a little spit fire this kid. I have to watch him closely all the time because he can get into trouble in the blink of an eye. He climbs to get anything he wants no matter how dangerous. I think I say, “You’re going to crack your head!” at least a dozen times a day. Then there are his tantrums. I’ve already said that if throwing tantrums was an Olympic sport he would be a gold medalist. His competitors would not have a chance. When he isn’t climbing or screaming he’s saying something that cracks us all up. He loves being the center of attention in our family of 6. He truly does believe the world revolves around him. As is typical of most youngest children he’s spoiled, but we can’t help it.

When I’m upset he says in his high pitched little 2 year old voice, “Don worwy mommy. Evry ting gonna be OK.” He grabs my face with his 2 hands on each side of my face and gives me a kiss. When I tell him I love him he answers back with an “I wuv you more.” Of course I tell him I love him more, and his response is, “I wuv you mostest mostest mostest mostest!” That, my fellow readers is why I signed up for motherhood. It’s payment for all the poopy diapers, long sleepless nights, and the countless other tortures we endure for our little ones.

Here are a few tips for photographing your toddler:

1. First and foremost do not ever try to force them to smile for the camera. The results are never what you’re looking for. That scared forced smile is not the smile that makes your heart melt in everyday life. You’ll always look at the photo and remember it was forced.

2. Try to set up a situation where they get to do something they want to do. This makes them happy, and their facial expressions will be pleasant and what you are used to seeing in real life. In this situation Noah was exploring a trail and looking for bugs and leaves. He was happy as a clam. You might even want to try to let them do something they don’t usually get to do, like jumping on the bed or sitting on the table.

3. Try to get eye contact in a natural way. Don’t yell at your child and say, “Look at me and smile!”  or “Say cheese!” Talk to him. Ask him questions. Sing him his favorite song. Tell him a joke. Do a dance. Make a funny noise. Try everything you can to get their attention.

4. Get down on their level. 2 year olds are much shorter than you are. Bend down and meet them eye to eye. Get up close, and remember to capture the details you love most of all about your child. Maybe it’s his chubby little hands, or funny little walk, or their long eye lashes.

5. Use a chair or a basket or something to get him to stay in one spot for longer than a few seconds. The blue chair came with us to the field for this very reason. You’ll notice every picture with him on it he is getting off of it. Sometimes it doesn’t work. If I had a big basket to put him in it would have taken longer for him to get out. I could have made a game out of it too to keep him their longer. For example, challenge him to sit still until you count to 5.

6. Don’t shy away from the photos where he/she doesn’t have a big smile. The above left photo reminds me of how Noah looks at me all day long when I’m telling him something. That’s the expression I see most. I don’t want to forget it.

7. Pull back and capture their environment. Don’t be afraid to have some of their favorite toys in the background. If you’re at home don’t clean up for every photo. It is fun to look back at old photographs and see the toys you played with at the time.

8. Toddlers are unpredictable. You never know what will make them laugh. Relax and have fun with them. Enjoy the little person that they are. Embrace their goofy side. Try to capture them being who they are, not just a smile for the camera.

9. Bribery does not work at this age. They have no concept of doing something now for a treat later. They hear about a treat and they want it NOW. Maybe some of you have more advanced children than I do (especially the girls), but my 2 year old does not understand delayed gratification.

10.  MOVE! You will have to get up, move in front of, behind, to the side, and everywhere you can to get the photos of your toddler. They have a never ending supply of energy, and they will not sit still for longer than a second or two. This is normal.

I truly do hope your Christmas and Hanukkah are the best ever. Try to take a break from all the craziness to play and have fun with your loved ones. It’s worth it!

I like being able to easily display the cards with clothespins, but now I am out of room to add the new ones and my branches are definitely heavily weighed down. I need sturdier branches next time. I also just have to add getting Christmas cards from my clients makes me SO happy. It is so fun to see how you use the images from your sessions.

I saw this idea on Pinterest as well. I love looking back at old Christmas cards. I keep the photo cards for this very reason. This year I punched holes in all my old cards and put these rings through them and now they are a nice little book for us to look back at our loved ones through the years. It took me only about 10 minutes to make, and it will be so easy to add to each year, or make a new one.

This year when the subject of a Christmas tree came up they started out by letting me know that we are NOT getting a tree at Costco, Home Depot, or anywhere else but the tree farm. We made our trek out to the tree lot in the only 2 hour block of free time on a busy Saturday. It was incredibly windy and cold, but the kids were in heaven running around searching for the perfect tree. The tradition lives on one more year, and probably until the youngest moves out.

I was so honored to hear that this image won a NAPCP (National Association of Professional Children’s Photographers) Recognition of Merit in their 2011 International Image Competition. It was the first photography competition I have entered, and it feels really really good to get recognition. The NAPCP is not only a great place for photographers to continue their education and network with other children’s photographer, it is also a great resource for parents. Their blog has a lot of helpful advice when it comes to finding a photographer, preparing for your session, and other parenting ideas. Take a look here.  Even I got an article published on their blog here about how to find good lighting in your home when taking photos.

The ladybug

The not-so-Mad Hatter

The Ninja

Elmo! He LOVES Elmo just like his big sister did.

We are a simple family. Nothing elaborate or fancy here.