How to photograph a toddler....

You've looked at Pinterest, you've picked out the perfect outfits, you have this vision of perfection in your head....

As a parent of a toddler I understand that they march to the beat of their own drum.  I tried to photograph my 21 month old daughter Viola alone in the studio today for Valentine's Day......

She was having nothing to do with the idea I had for her Valentine's Day photos..... maybe I should have brought Dad along to assist with this.

When photographing toddlers, I like to give them many breaks to explore and play.  Every now and then have Mom or Dad get in some pics with them, or place them so I can start snapping away..... I even love the images of them on the move.

Viola found an apple on my studio mate Jen Bean's side.... she was cooperating with it so I let her carry the apple and eat it along the way.  (last image is a face I know I will be seeing a lot in the future, "Seriously Mom!")

Toddlers also have their own emotional schedule that is extremely unpredictable.... Meltdowns can occur, usually towards the end of the shoot which is why I photograph fast and make sure I get the images before they occur.

Never has a toddler had a worse meltdown than Viola in the studio.... I chose to document it (future blackmail).

We have our ideal images pinned, we bring the cutest accessories.  Sometimes they are able to be photographed, sometimes they're not (it's really up to the boss and their mood).

My Mom made Viola this adorable fox hat I found.... she won't even keep it on for a minute.  With enough patience you get the shot (in the final image you do not see my hand holding the hat down, or would you know I got one shot before she ripped the hat off her head) and it makes it all worthwhile.

Trust your photographer.  Don't be anxious if your toddler starts acting up, they still feed off of our emotions.  They are going to act the way they are going to act regardless.... food as bribery is always good, though I don't recommend a whole piece of fruit since they'll never put it down.

I once had a father sprinkle chocolate chips and puffs from above at his girls, it made for some really cute images and was hilarious to witness.

Above all, patience is the key.

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