Let’s take a minute to talk about the importance of the pre-session warm up.
What is this, you might ask? This is the photographer-child interaction time that occurs before we begin the session. It’s always unnerving interacting with someone you’ve never met, especially for children. Add in a big camera, and it goes to an entirely new level. I want to ensure I can really show off your child’s personality. The pre-session warm up is important because it will help them to be comfortable with me and the environment.
Keep everything relaxed and normal
Throwing your child into a session with a stranger trying to get them to look and smile, can cause them to tense up. I really want everything to be relaxed, fun and run smoothly.
Come early to give your child time to warm up
I suggest that you arrive to your session 15 minutes early to allow time to get to know each other. This will give me time to introduce myself to your child and let them warm up to me. Some children relax right away, while others need the entire warm up time to come out of their shells. And that’s OK too.
Introductions
After I introduce myself, I will try to get to know your child. I’ll ask them questions about what they like and don’t like, sing songs, maybe play a game, etc.
I try to break the ice even just a little. So, by the time the session starts your child is happy and more familiar with me. Having this extra time is probably one of the most important tips I can give you for your child’s session.
Becoming friends
Once we’ve done a session, your child will see that I’m not so scary, and we have fun together. Your next session shouldn’t need much warm up time at all, if any. But for the very first session together, it is a must.
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