The Power of Bribery
Picture day can be a very, very stressful time if you have children. Finding the right outfit and a date that everyone is available already causes you a headache. Once you have that down, though, everything is smooth sailing. You have prepared everything to be perfect, and then your worst nightmare happens – your child won’t cooperate. Even after you’ve coached him or her for the past two weeks and the entire car ride leading up to the session, your kiddo still just isn't having it. You’ve tried all of the usual tricks and nothing is working. Sounds terrible, right?
Well, I’m here today to save you from this nightmare, and help you prevent this from even happening. Behold the power of bribery. I know some people frown upon this, however, they probably haven’t tried to get a four-year-old to sit in one position together, look at the camera, and smile. It’s no easy task! As a photographer, I’m going to give you the green light and tell you that it’s totally okay to bribe your kids for the sake of good photos.
We have a very limited amount of time to get all of the photos that you need, and I don’t want you to be stressed out or crunched for time because little Timmy is having a meltdown, or is hiding behind his hands the entire session, or sticking his tongue out at me. So, I welcome bribery with arms wide open.
Every child is different when it comes to bribery. They all have different personalities and like different things. Some children are motivated by candy, others cash. You just have to find out what works best for your child.
Here are some suggestions that we’ve noticed have worked.
- Candy or fruit snacks
- Dinner at their favorite restaurant after the session
- Later bedtime
- That awesome toy they’ve been drooling over
- Extra time
- A sleepover with a friend
- Extended play time
- They don’t have to eat their vegetables that night at dinner
- They don’t have to do chores the next day
- Give them back a privilege that’s been taken away the last time they were in trouble
While these aren’t the only options, we thought we’d give you a starting point to brainstorm your own ideas to help get your child to cooperate.
10/52.
Reagan loves to watch tv just before bedtime to relax, and thankfully it usually helps lull her to sleep.
9/52.
Yesterday Reagan and I had a whole list of errands to run before attending a Ms Wheelchair Kansas meeting, and one of the items was a haircut. I have been telling her that we need to get it cut, but she had herself convinced that it was going to hurt.
She didn't crack a smile and wasn't impressed with the shampooing (the best part!). I don't think she will have any problem going back, but it won't be her favorite thing. Kinda like the dentist. We dread going but always feel better afterwards.
8/52.
It's been a long weekend. There was lots of whining and not enough sleep. We managed to get a quick afternoon project in today though. It was a good thing for both of us after she just had a meltdown at Walmart and we walked out without a single thing. A good reminder for me to be patient, be loving, and be gentle with her when she needs. And a hope that she will be gentle with me when I need.
7 Tips for Preparing for Your Spring Session | Topeka, KS Photographer
I've gone ahead and given you some tips to ensure your day is stress free and flawless for your spring session. Listen up!
1. Wear layers. Spring can be finicky in the sense that you can go from frigid to over heated in a matter of minutes. We suggest wearing layers -- tank top, tee shirt, cardigan, scarf, etc. That way each family member can peel off, or add, a layer as they see fit and remain comfortable throughout the session.
2. Location is a big deal. You better believe we're going to take advantage of the fresh, warm air and all those bud popping up from the ground and in the trees. If you have any favorite locations, let us know. We have a nice list on hand, ourselves.
3. Play into the colors of the season when choosing your family's outfits. Fresh pops of green, blue, pink and yellow are always a hit in the springtime. We recommend choosing a color theme for the whole gang, then slightly deviating from that with accessories to keep things interesting.
4. Speaking of accessories: wear them! Choose jewelry, scarves, or prints that play into the spring theme. Butterflies, flowers, insects, etc, can make for some super adorable family pictures.
5. Time it right. Book a session too early and you may miss out on those spring buds. Book too late and you've already wandered into summer territory. Keep an eye on the weather and give your photographer a call when the time is right.
6. Incorporate props. Spring offers some beautiful backdrops where props blend in perfectly. For example, old wooden chairs look stunning in a sea of blooming rose bushes, and a quilted blanket is lovely on the fresh, green grass.
7. Really think about your footwear. Spring can often mean a soggy ground, so flip-flops or heels are not the best choice. Instead, wear something that's comfortable and spring appropriate, like loafers, flats or boots.