Gatlinburg Photographers Guide To Posing Kids

The years go by so quickly as a parent, you just have to capture every wonderful stage as your children grow. But why does it seem like the packet portfolio sent home on school picture day doesn’t have one picture with your kid’s actual smile?

I’m here to tell you that the pictures you really hope for, ones that showcase personality and stage of life, can be made a reality! Here’s a Gatlinburg photographers’ guide to posing kids.

Posed

Yes, posed shots with kids can actually work well. I think you need to finesse it—no pressuring, no “say cheese”—because some kids will clam up quickly if they feel uncomfortable.

Family Portraits

A good way to introduce your kids to your Gatlinburg photographers is to start with posed family portraits. Everyone is involved, which loosens the pressure for young kids. We’ll joke, laugh together—sometimes I even crop down a family photo to focus on a child’s genuine smile that’ll often come out of these posed photos.

Headshots

Once everybody is warmed up, we can get posed headshots with kids. Simple poses are better. I like to have kids cross their arms over their chest, put one hand on a hip, or put their hands in their pockets.

Candid

Working with experienced Gatlinburg photographers can really set your candid images apart. We have a few tricks for encouraging candid photos. Here are a few you can’t miss.

Playing with Siblings

Of course, if it’s an option, I like to prompt kids to play together! We can get great candids from siblings holding hands, running together, even tackling each other. And we get an insight into their personalities too!

Exploring the Environment

Another underused idea for capturing candid photos is just letting your kids be the curious creatures they are. They will find interesting features of the environment (in this shoot, it was these colorful fall leaves) that’ll make for unplanned, dynamic photos.

Snuggles and Cuddles

And last, Gatlinburg photographers love to get those family snuggles and cuddles. Not only does it bring out the sweetness in every kid, but we also get to preserve the moments between you and your children. These are the types of photos that will be most valuable to you years down the line!

Hopefully these examples helped spark your imagination for your next family photography session with Gatlinburg photographers! When you’re ready to book your next family session, reach out!