Let’s Move! | Melbourne Family Photographer

If you’ve ever had a session with me or watched me work, I’ll bet good money you heard me say at least once, “I think we need to move!”

Not only do I use movement with my clients, I use it all the time with my own kids!

Ever struggle to get a kid to sit still for a photo??? Kids like to move. Some kids need to move. A LOT. So use this to your advantage and prompt them to move.

Adding movement is one of my favourite prompts to use with kids. And it’s SO easy! There is not much to think about or anything to remember, simply prompt them to move in some way and you are guaranteed natural expressions, smiles and often laughter.

Run, twirl, jump, walk, shake their head, stand up and sit down, play Ring around the Rosie, skip rocks, play tickle chase, play with a ball, climb, do gymnastics, roll down a hill.

Anything to get them moving!

Use the age of the children you’re working with, their interests and the environment you’re in to dictate what movement you prompt. You can do this as many times as you want throughout your session.

For example, if a kid brings a Sonic toy to the session, prompt them to see if they can run as fast as Sonic can. Have them toss the Sonic back and forth to Grandma. Have them hold Sonic’s hand and swing him while walking.

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Movement can be especially useful at the start of a session if it’s taking a while for a kid to warm up to you or everyone seems a bit stiff. It’s also useful for improving moods. If you sense you’re losing a kid’s interest, your kid isn’t cooperating or listening, a sibling argument happens or a meltdown is imminent, prompt movement and you’re pretty much guaranteed an instant mood lifter.

It’s also a useful prompt to keep in your back pocket if you ever get stuck and feel like everyone is staring at you for guidance and you’ve completely drawn a blank (don’t worry, we’ve all been there!).

When the deer in headlight moment happens, throw out a movement prompt! Your subject will be busy and happy, which will take the attention off you giving you a few minutes to catch your breath and your thoughts. It’s a people pleaser prompt for everyone…we all win with movement!

And BONUS tip…I use movement prompts all the time with adults too, even when there are no kids involved!

I talk about movement and other prompts in much more depth, including how to incorporate movement into your session flow, in my upcoming workshop UNPOSED POSING with Kelly Marleau that starts on the 10th October at Click Photo School, and we’re so excited to get started. Click HERE to join us!

Jenny is a natural light, lifestyle and documentary photographer and specialised newborn photographer, maternity photographer and family photographer. She services all areas of Victoria, including inner Melbourne suburbs such as Richmond, Northcote, Fitzroy, Collingwood, Malvern East, South Melbourne, Elwood, as well as outer south eastern subrubs, bayside areas such as Morntington, Sorrento and Red Hill. She also services the west of Melbourne and will travel to Geelong on request.