If there’s one thing that I am firmly against in life, it’s saying “CHEESE”. 

9 times out 10, cheese results in unnatural, forced smiles and just general silliness that isn’t what I’m after. 

So, what’s a mama to do, then? When you really want a photo of your kid but you’re getting that weird-serial-stalker face over and over? (I know it’s not just my kids who give this face when asked to smile!)

Here’s a quick trick for you…

Give your kid a TASK. 

Ok, so this won’t work for a newborn but will work for any kiddo over 12 months and it can be adapted depending on age.

The task should be quick and easy and one that the kid won’t groan at. 

The goal is to have him/her distracted enough that you can get a great shot, without them giving you fake. 

In the photo above I asked my daughter to point our her favourite things to Meadow (our annoyingly fat and loud Guinea Pig). All of a sudden the photo went from a kid reading and a guinea pig sitting around to everyone being engaged. 

Here are a few ideas to get you started with better photos of your kid:

• whisper something in your sibling’s ear
• jump as high as you can (try and touch the lights on the ceiling)
• run to that tree and then right back to this spot as fast as you can
• spin around twice and freeze
• play peek-a-boo (works great using a blanket or stuffie too)
• smell the flower
• give someone a high 5
• shake out your face and then stop (make it wiggle as much as you can!)
• talk to me about what you’re holding (what colour is it, is it bumpy, etc)
• where are your tickle spots? (then tickle them or have someone else do it)
• how far can you toss that rock/stick/balloon/ball
• make the very biggest splash you can
• find me something yellow out the window (obviously, use whatever you can see that the kid can find)
• walk from where you are to where I am in 6 steps or less

Ok! Pull out your phone or your DSLR and have fun with it! 

One photo at a time we’ll put an end to “stand and say cheese”.